Big Backyard Dreams

So, as I said in my earlier post we could have a nice view but we don't because of an eyesore block wall and we have no privacy because of a rickety wire fence that runs along the back of the property

So faced with these two setbacks I've decided that I need to block the mountain view out with this...

I like the clipped hedges for the backyard because I think they will add some interest to a very small space. The boxed hedge is called Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa' and it is slow growing to 1-2 feet. You can find it at Monrovia.com.

I like the climbing roses. The pops of vivid red against the crisp white trellis and lush hedge behind it really make them pop! I'm fond of this one for the trellises. The canes get 10-12' long. It's called All Ablaze and it too can be found at Monrovia.com.

For a bush I prefer
The rose bushes would provide privacy while providing fresh cut flowers for the house. If I can't do that here I definitely want to do it along the back wall.

It's just one idea. I'm sure I'll come up with more.

An Itty Bitty Back Yard

Okay, so here's what I've got to work with...
I'm thankful we have a small patch of lawn, but the block wall really cuts the yard space in half. This was taken before we moved in and the dog has really done a number on the grass so we need to reseed it and fertilize to bring it back to this condition. It's not his fault. He's got to go somewhere and we realize that. It's just that the park has standards that we have to adhere to.

All the plants that you see in the picture below have been removed and there's nothing but dirt there right now.

This is the other corner of the yard. As you can see it wasn't very well thought out. Had I had my way I would have poured concrete all the way to block wall and made a useful patio but we can't do that so I have some other ideas in mind. You can see the cheap fence that borders a busy street and deprives us of any privacy because there's a footpath there that people use all day long so I have an idea for adding some privacy which I will go into later.

Forgive my finger in the shot...here's the  little patio we have to work with. I have put my patio set there now but it takes up the entire patio so I don't know what I'm going to do at this point. I'd put down pavers but as you can see in the photo above the sprinkler valves are in the corner so I'm stuck. Once again a not very well thought out plan. Why didn't they put the valves near the fence?

I suppose I could move them or give the patio set to my daughter and buy smaller set for us. Perhaps something along this line...The idea is from Home Depot. I love everything about this set from the colors of the furniture to the accent pillows and solar lamps on the wall. I really like the idea of an outdoor rug too.

This project will be a work in progress. I'm sure I will have many ideas before I come up with a plan that I'm definitely going to do. So here we go...