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| Photo Credit: Lynn Means |
| Not only do these shrubs block the steps to the front door, the lime green acubas clash with the color of the brick – something’s gotta go. |
The closing day crazies are over, and now the house – and all that yard – is yours! Everything takes on a new meaning as you roll up your sleeves and bask in the glow of home ownership. It’s a great feeling!
Sure, unpacking the house is a big job, but take a break and stroll around the yard – this time as the owner. You may have only given it an overall review when you first visited with your realtor. But chances are you’ll now scrutinize each shrub and tree on your new property. And with that, a whole can of worms begins to wiggle with questions like, “What kind of plant is this?” or “Is this going to get any bigger?” Many of us have a basic walking-around knowledge of the types of plants commonly found in the area we live, and that’s a great start. Knowing what’s growing is the first step in the exciting process of making an existing garden your own – because a garden is a reflection of your family and your style. But if you’ve relocated to a new state or just get stumped by a “mystery plant,” consider taking a branch or two (or several photos) down to your local nursery or Extension Service for identification. (You were planning on visiting a garden center anyway, weren’t you?) | Add Photo to Journal |  | | Photo Credit: Lynn Means | | The new homeowners kept some boxwoods and the holly below the window, but they added balance with a simple trellis featuring an evergreen clematis. They also opened up the front with a new planting. |
If you’re lucky enough to have a mature landscape, it’s a real blessing – especially when you have some great-looking trees and shrubs that may be slow growers and not easily replaced. Established plants are like buying time!
But time can do a lot of interesting things to plants, which can begin to grow every which way. So start examining your landscape by taking a look at the smallest to the tallest trees closest to your house. Often lower limbs can block window views or dangle over sidewalks to interfere with mowing the grass. A few simple cuts with a pruning saw can make all the difference when it comes to moving around and enjoying your garden! Next, look at your landscape from different angles and approaches. For instance, how does it look when you drive by from the opposite end of the street? Is there anything that stands out that you really like – or don’t like? Then tackle jobs like minor trimming or tagging plants you know you want to remove. When that’s done, give yourself time to let the rest sink in.
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