That’s what he told me. He said my landscape design skills totally suck. Or something to that effect.
Last summer when I did a post about landscape lighting some helpful visitor to my website suggested that I stick to growing plants because I was a terrible landscape designer.
So yesterday as I was walking into my garage I couldn’t help by admire the beautiful plants in my landscape and I was reminded of his helpful comments.
It’s true. I obviously suck at landscape design. Nobody in their right mind would put that many rare and unusual Japanese maples in a landscape. And then mix stone and mulch in the same bed! Unsightly I tell you! Of course what I haven’t told you is that the stone is there to deal with water falling from the roof when it’s pours so hard that they gutters can’t keep up.
So what does the joint look like after dark?
It’s official! Not only do I suck at landscape design I suck even worse at designing landscape lighting.
Questions, comments, mean things to say? Post them below and I will respond. Until then, by any and all means stay inspired!
Great article – landscaping and gardener here in Cardiff UK, Rhidian
Your unique approach to landscaping is truly inspiring! Mixing different plants and materials can create a personal and distinctive garden. Keep experimenting and enjoy the process, it’s your creativity that makes it special.
Thank you!
Hey Mike! I don’t know if you’re serious you are about how bad your landscaping design is, but I like it. It’s clean. It’s simple. It’s exotic. I personally would keep up with the Japanese theme and add some houses and maybe some Japanese writings that line up with your ethos. Something like you would do were you to put your design into an aquarium. You said the stones are there to help with the water overflow from a hard rain when the gutters can’t keep up. There’s your waterfall. Maybe add a waterproof spotlight shooting up from the waterflow and give it a cool color changing effect. Your possibilities are endless.
Thanks Fredrick!
Absolutely right, Mike. Our house corner light stays on all night to light our flag and also to deter uninvited night visitors. There have been some of those. Plus, the light illuminates them so our corner cams can record them for future reference. Without our corner light and cameras, we’d never have known that a huge opossum and random stray dogs come across our front porch.
So Mr Landscape Design Expert is of course entitled to his opinion. But it’s only that. His opinion. I bet he won’t post a photo of his own yard so we can all see it.
Landscaping looks fine Mike. The only comment I would make is that the red leafed tree is too close to the porch. I know === you know they grow quite large. and will have to be moved in a few years. Poop on that person that criticized your landscape.
Oh that’s awful Mike. I wish my yard looked that awful. 😵💫
As an old saying goes, you cannot have an argument about taste, it is, after all, a matter of taste. One guy may prefer the daughter, another guy prefers the mother…
Okay . . . I guess.
Mike, your landscape lighting and your landscape is absolutely 100% beautiful!!
Thank you Doreen.
Hey Mike, that was so harsh!
The design is nice and will look stunning when the plants mature.
Although the lighting is beautiful at night, you need to lose the uplighting.
It’s not Dark Sky Compliant! Go to: https://darksky.org/resources/what-is-light-pollution/
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It has harmful effects on:
Wildlife and ecosystems
Human health
Energy and climate change
Crime and safety
Night sky heritage
To Jamie and others. These low voltage lights accent a few features of my house. They light up zero of the surrounding atmosphere. And in a dark neighborhood, no street lights, it’s only prudent to add at least a little light for security reasons.
Very nice! One tiny change I’d make is to add just a little fill lighting to the walls beneath the windows. That would soften the hard shadows, and would help keep prowlers away.
The neighbor put in a patio and it is about 5 ” higher than my garden and yard level. Our yards are divided by a chain link fence. My garden is sinking as now the water from their patio is running off into my garden and my garden is old. The yard kind of slopes from the house toward the garden. So how do I fix this? Can I just load it up with more top soil? I have perennials in the garden that have been there for years. Baptisia, peony, lots of phlox,sedum, iris, shasta daisy a Ninebark, hydrangea, loads of daffodils, zebra grass, hosta, sages, tulips. I can’t dig all that up! If I put more soil in the garden won’t the plants stick out of the soil halfway next year? I hope you can help me I really don’t know what to do. I’m 75 (no Money) so big time landscaping is out of the question.
Kathy Johnson
Kathy,
You really can’t add more soil over top of existing plants, that would make them planted too deep which is fatal to plants. The standing water is not good either. Maybe find a way to divert that water away from the garden by building a berm out of soil. I do this in the donkey pen, create a berm to direct the water where I want it so it doesn’t run into one of their houses.
We live on a slope with water running down hill. We get the runoff from the neibor above us. However, the neighbor below us diverted it by building a brick wall. Now, they had to dig down and make a concrete base a little way below the ground & also put in drain pipes to divert the water toward the street. This was for the back. For the front, some “landscapers” put in an underground drain pipes and created an embankment between our 2 properties. We are not very happy with the embankment. .
. .
Most municipalities have by-laws that don’t allow one to drain one’s property onto someone else’s.
If it were me, I’d talk to the neighbour and ask them to contain their runoff so it didn’t destroy my garden.
Actually, it’s a civil matter. If they did anything that increases or diverts water onto your property that wasn’t happening before, you can sue them for the damage and get an order for them to cease and desist. Unfortunately, local laws aren’t usually very helpful and they don’t help you recover damages for your garden.
I know, this post is over two years old, but this happens to people all the time.
Mike..I’m a retired licensed landscape architect. Viewing your limited photos, not knowing your house orientation, I’d say you design is better than most homeowners. You have an understanding of form and color, but the plant pallet needs some work on texture and layering. Keep reading and trying.
Dean,
You’re right, I need more experience. I guess the 1,200 homes that I landscaped in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s taught me nothing. I know that my designs are different than what an architect would do, but most think they are pleasing to the eye. And with me, my own house, nothing is ever permanent. If it gets too big I move it. Now how it’s supposed to be done I know.
Your landscape is fine. what matters the most is that you like it, not others. I also suck at Landscape design. I can raise a bunch of plants, but arranging them in a pleasing order is something else. Here’s a suggestion: walk around and take photos of landscapes that you like and use them for ideas.
Laughing at the whole thing! Obviously the hater is not a busy landscaper. I worked along side landscape designers and many had “looks” they were going for. Some were showing off plants. Some were showing off masses of plants. Some were showing off houses. Some were making a “stage set” to show off the people. Others were showing off themselves. But the only way they graduated was to make sure the client liked it and would pay them. Apparently this hater hasn’t figured out how to do a good enough job to get paid and get more clients and get busy.
Along those same lines, I wonder people in the business center sell rooted landscapes (like 1 tree, 3 shrubs and 5 small plants) that go together? I am more interested in small amounts and variety not 20 of anything..
I never seen a landscape sooo Elegant!
Thank you Carmen.
You know we all have opinions and the guy who said yours sucks probably does not know which end of a shovel hits the dirt, nice job.
You have done a great job – the man is an idiot.
I think it’s pretty it has character. If it makes you and your wife happy that’s all that matters. People need to mind their business and not worry about yours.
In my opinion, your design is fine. I’ve noticed that the spacing of those plants are a bit far apart. I am used to seeing bushes clumped together and trimmed, but I see that your style is not bushes or evergreens. The way those plants are chosen is very unique, but the color arrangement does not quite match. Often they are colors that go well together like pinks and whites or yellows and greens. I’m not an expert at this stuff, but I notice that often, designs are symmetric and there is very few variation in plants. I’m used to seeing a row of American Arborvitaes lined up but that’s also for a matter of privacy. They are usually trimmed into different designs. I live in NJ so I’m the plants found here are different from where you live. Overall, your design is fine and it doesn’t suck like that person said. I like your articles and videos as well, so keep up the good work!
Mike, I think your front bed is lovely. The mixed mulch has a nice shape AND is functional; the plants are ones you love, and there are “cues to care.” You obviously put much thought into shaping and planting the bed. I agree with everyone else- let that hater hate. That person is obviously not as beloved as you are, so you know, they lose!
I agree. Landscape design is not “one size fits all’ I love the look of a gardener’s favorite plants, lovingly arranged. You can always tell when a yard is professionally landscaped. Boring. I LIKE the stones and mulch arrangement The lighting is awesome!
Beautiful! I wouldn’t change anything. 🪴.
I wish you could design my landscape! I had a professional help me a couple of years ago and now I have to move plants/shrubs because of overgrowth from some of the plants. I did not want that much work! I appreciate your information on mulch and I am trying to find bark mulch.
Mike,
I have two rules.
#1 I have to like what I plant
#2 It has to be easy to maintain.
Thank you for constantly helping people.
Jack at Blue Point Nursery.
Thanks John!
My husband has been professional landscape design & installation for 30+ yrs and said about one of my beds “Japanese Maples are a specimen tree, supposed to be 1 or 2 of them” to which I reply “when you have 16 they become a herding animal & If I want to sit on my front porch and look at all of them I will”. Besides they tend to cross pollinate and most of the hundreds of known cultivars are likely “chance seedlings” so I might get the next “rare and exotic” out of their offspring! I love them.
Judith,
I agree with your husband, they are a specimen plant. But like you, I want them all in my landscape and the possibility of getting a new variety is exciting.
Guessing Judith was gone at, “I agree with your husband.”.
haters just gotta hate…..pay that bozo no mind…can you say “jealous”! i’ve been getting your e-mails for years, if your landscaping skills suck i would have unsubscribed, and being in northeast ohio too (Akron area) i have learned soooo much, thank you!
Thank you Joanie.
Yes, I do so agree this guy is so jealous of your skills and talents and success.
I love your landscaping too, it looks great, not overcrowded and a mixture of colors, love that too.
Love your landscape design and your neighborhood. We live in south central Colorado at the base of Sheep Mountain and across the valley from Greenhorn Mountain. Weather is quite unpredictable, lots of wind, dry atmosphere. It is a struggle to get some vegetables to grow in raised beds behind a knoll that protects from prevailing winds. Pocket gophers are another issue. Have tried bait, gas bombs. They keep rebuilding their piles of dirt. We are looking at planting some type of juniper like the native Juniper trees as the Pine Beetle may make a resurgence as the weather dries out more. Learned the hard way not to plant non-native trees here. Had a beautiful Hybrid Willow that last year’s late cold and frost killed. It was 5 deg. F. for three days in early May. Gophers have done a number on our Siberian elms and old asparagus bed. May try to relocate the asparagus bed. We will see. We try to keep inspired, too. Love your newsletters.
Personally I wonder how many followers the troll has. Even how many views his site has. I like your site very much
My dad had a saying
Don’t listen to ducks fart
I think the troll is indeed that. Hot air
Just a comment, I like your landscape design. However, as a matter of personal preference, since I lived through a wildfire, seeing black mulch puts the hair on the back of my neck to stand up. It reminds us of a time of our burned-out aftermath. Many people like black mulch. It’s just those of us who lost homes or (me) almost lost her home, find black mulch disturbing. Again, most people don’t have those connotations to a black mulch.,
From my previous work with a landscaping design professional……plants are always in odd numbers, rather than even….don’t ask me why, but that was one of the rules they insisted on folowing on every job. Perhaps that was the issue. It might also be the lack of variation in the beds….no evergreens or tall and slender stuff that I saw.
The only other thing I noticed was, as you mentioned, three of the same type tree in the same bed.
Landscape designer are very particular about how they lay things out and what style and varities they put in their beds….it doesn’t mean what you did doesnt look good, just that it doesn’t follow design norms in the industry.
David,
After having designed over 1,100 landscapes this one does not follow norms because . . . I selected plants that I want to see everyday. This design is full of specimen plants that are purposely not accented with a lot of other things because we want this design to be as maintenance free as possible. Uneven numbers? I think that’s what you see here.
Mike, your landscape looks lovely. There will always be nasty people in the world, so I try to ignore them for its a pitiful person who is nasty like that. I’ve been reading and enjoying your blog for years and enjoying all your advice and beautiful pictures. Like you tell us …stay inspired.
I find it interesting that the landscape comment troll failed to make a case why he thought your landscape and lighting design sucked. He or She is such an authority that simply dismissing your creative and beautiful landscaping skills was enough. I’m sure they’re off to find fault these days with others, as that’s pretty much their daytime job.
Agree, do not feed that Troll.
Hi Mike, I respect your good-natured response to the criticism. The guy is right; I will only comment on the plant landscaping because I don’t know too much about lighting.
You did plant beautiful plants but they just sit there. The design is not flowing. They are like blob…blob…blob.
I would’ve liked to see something greenish in between them to connect them together and kind of tell an interesting story. Other than this, Mike I enjoy your newsletter and all the inf service you provide.
Mazin,
Something green? That’s not very specific. This design has a lot of slow growing plants by design. I don’t want “something green” that 1, will over power what is there. And 2, something that would require a lot of maintenance just to control it.
Mike, It’s 6:00am. If you are an amateur with no skills, then I may as well roll over and go back to sleep.
Everything you post and everything you do is and has been helpful to me. Thanks for being here for us.
I recently lost a very old Bradford Pear to a relatively mild gust of wind. I have seen many Bradford Pears destroyed in my area. Is there a good replacement that won’t break in half when the wind blows? Your “amateur” suggestions are very welcome and highly regarded. Thank you Mike for all you do.
John,
I’d say a really nice variety of flowering crabapple.
It all looks neat and tidy to me. No weeds, heathy looking plants with space to spread their beauty. Shaped beds, lights – what is not to like. Someone may want to do it differently but that is their taste and they should not criticise somebody else doing what suits them. It is really rather rude and this person cannot be happy with themselves so ignore them.
For about 10 years I have followed you because of your love and knowledge for plants. I recently joined the ‘Backyard Growers Club which I so enjoy learning even more from you and the members. I love your landscaping which shows years of professionalism and experience. That’s what I see! Plus – you have shared your knowledge and encouraged so many people helping them with their landscaping and plant businesses. You engage your family and have taught them lifelong skills. I’m a bit defensive for you on the landscaping remark.
For about 10 years I have followed your awesome knowledge and love for plants and recently joined the Backyard Growers Club because of my love for plants and the knowledge you have proved and shared with so many people for so many years. I love the landscaping at your home and your organizational skills for your nursery, showing years of knowledge and experience. That’s what I see!
Mike, your landscaping is beautiful. I have been following your blog from the very beginning and I guess I was always too busy with other jobs or family but secretly wish I could have started a business like yours. But I love reading about what you are doing and admire you for doing it. Not everyone could run a business like that and be as successful. And I love your donkeys. Keep up the good work!
Yes!
Yes!
Yes!
You speak for me as well! Perfect response.
You go Mike! I love your stuff!
I agree Linda!!! 100% great comment!
Mike I believe that you did a good job. It is how you fit into your landscape. Like the rock catching the rain overflow from the gutters. That helps the landscape. Like asking what do you want your landscape to do for you and you have done it. Maybe someone else would have done something different, like your maples, you love them and that is all that matters. I think it is a work of art to have something you love mixed into your yard that appeals to you and your family. take care and go for it.
Dear Mike;
From day one, when I first saw you on the internet, I loved and appreciated your honest, fun and heartwarming sense of humor. I am not easy to persuade, but I immediately signed up for your Backyard Gardening Club. I wanted to be a part of something that someone so precious, modest, and knowdedgeable created. I not only believe in you and your talent and skills, but I trust you to lead me to a place where I can make gardening an important part of my living. And together; I truly believe that we will. Your skills: LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING INCLUDED, are such that I am making them a part of my life…forever. You are real, honest, talented and have a heart of gold! What more could anyone ask for in a mentor? There are many naysayers and jealous people out there, Mike. But I ask: where is THEIR website? Where are THEIR followers and clients? What good advice do THEY have to give to “their” clients? I have gardened all my life, and people usually come to me for gardening advice or landscape design. I have chosen YOU to trust and follow in beginning my new life and my new home here in the country on my modest 10 acre farm. I can’t wait to see where we end up with this! You’re THE BEST, Mike! Don’t ever change!
Thank you Dreama, I appreciate that.
Awesome Queen Dreams, very well said!!! I’m just starting out & wouldn’t even be doing this if weren’t for Mike I appreciate him every day!!!
Thank you Heidi!
I think your landscape looks great! I just wish mine looked as good. My wife and I really enjoy your informative videos!
First of all, what a beautiful home! Did you move? Because this doesn’t look like the house I’ve seen in previous photos where you showed your home, but I confess I don’t keep up with everything.
Second, those are some lovely plants, and the grass is gorgeous, and overall, the whole affect is very pleasing to the eye, very attractive.
Thirdly, in all honesty, if this were my yard to design, I might design it differently, choose different plants than you chose, and use a different kind of mulch. But that’s not because you suck at landscape design. That’s just the way I am. Every house I enter, I immediately begin remodeling it in my mind to suit my own tastes, not the architect’s! So, I look at this, and might say to myself, ‘I would do that differently.’
But the bottom line is, what you have done here is gorgeous! And if you are happy with the results, that’s all that matters!
My daddy planted a Japanese Maple tree at the mailbox decades ago. I don’t think it’s 10 feet high, maybe 12. The limbs grow over the mailbox, and I keep them pruned away. Since I moved in to help my mom after my dad died, I have pruned several long branches that hung way over the driveway, and kept it in a regular shape and smaller size.
The same time my daddy planted his JM tree, he gave one to the neighbor across the street, and planted it for him, behind his house, and that thing is so tall and broad, that I can see it from above his roof ! So, yes, I’d say you certainly can prune that tree sufficiently to be able to enjoy it where you have it.
Oh, and the lights are wonderful !
Take care!
Well I don’t mean to sound like I don’t like it very much, but would say that I don’t like the colors with the design of your landscaping on that picture, it does look very neat and clean I must say all in all I do agree it needs some improvement, some more flowers perhaps to spruce it up a bit would make some people happy I suppose
All l can say, it looks awesome
I got an idea: How about a second go at my house?
I think it looks beautiful! I would sit in my deck chair outside and admire it with a tall glass of lemon aide or a cup of tea ! I don’t understand the need for people to say mean comments .Everyone is different, thank God! Who would want all gardens to be the same following the same rules …..Boring….. Its all a matter of preference and the style that you enjoy. Some people just enjoy being bossy or mean and they think that everyone should do things their way and if you don’t then your way is wrong. Ridiculous! Your gardening is gorgeous and I haven’t seen you do anything yet that I didn’t like and admire. I always love to see what you have been up to ,your inspiring to me . Thanks for sharing your pictures!
Mike it looks great! If yours sucks I would be interested in seeing how his looks .
Looks like a clean plan to me!
Mike, Love your landscape and lighting design skills. My problem is that every time I try to install landscape lighting I break the spike and can’t find replacements.
Mike, keep doing what you do! I think your landscape design is lovely, fresh and very tidy. You of all people know how to prune and keep up with it. I worked for one of the premier and most expensive landscapers in my area, putting his designs into colorful drawings for the customers to see what it will look like. The problem was that the design was drawn to show the perfect size of the plants, not the mature sizes. I pointed this out to another another long time employee who informed me they are designed that way so they get re-hired to either do major pruning or re-do the landscaping after 5 years. Trust yourself, you know the plants better than anyone!
We live in a neighborhood where everyone “lollipops” their bushes. This results in round bushes on stems and usually no blooms due to frequent cutting. This is what local landscapers seem to think everyone wants. We really stick out as we are allowing our trees and bushes to retain their natural forms. We do trim out inward growing and crossover branches to maintain the health of the plants. I think each person’s landscape plan should be respected.
Hi Mike! Your landscaping is lovely and I can see that you have included many of your favorite plants. I imagine you feel a sense of happiness and peace every time you look at it, and nothing can be better than that! Please keep doing what you are doing.
My own landscaping here in Colorado is changing a lot this year. Last September 8th, we had 91 degrees, and the National Weather Service issued red flag fire warnings. They also issued winter storm warnings and freeze warnings at the same time. The temperatures plummeted overnight and we had 9 to 10 inches of wet, heavy snow by the next morning. The trees did not have time to winterize, of course, and were still full of leaves., so we lost a lot of big branches and tops of trees. Some of the smaller ones literally exploded from the sap quick freezing. We’ve had up and down temps all Spring this Spring, with temps jumping from 80 to below freezing and back up to 80 again, so we are still assessing the damage and trying to keep ahead of things. But some things have survived. And some things have actually thrived, including, amazingly, my weird little lavender twist redbud that bloomed its heart out and is putting out leaves like crazy. We will defy “normal” rules and replace lost plants with ones similar to the survivors and I really don’t care what anyone else thinks of that. If I have learned one thing from you over the years, it’s “go with what works for you”, and you have never let me down with that (or anything else actually). My advice for your readers would be to listen to you, to join your group when they get a chance, and to follow your advice about plants. You will not steer them in the wrong direction. Thanks for all you do. I appreciate you.
I think your foundation landscaping is gorgeous, and the lighting ,too! I enjoy all of your articles and have learned much from you. Please ignore that nincompoop and do your thing! Thank you for all your sound advice!
I like your design. It’s simple and flows so well with the house and yard. I had a landscaper tell me that I was stupid about plants and not to look at catalogs because it would just confuse me. He wanted to put in plants in the same color family and I wanted variety. Design for life? That is what is stupid. Landscape should be adaptable to the whims of the owner not some educated nut that doesn’t know a pick from a shovel.
Keep on Mike, you’re doing great!
Mike, there are people that feel that if they are critical and tear people down they can somehow stack it on their own pile to themselves up. Of course rational people realize that tearing someone down does not make them any better.
I agree with all the people who commented that landscape is an art, as an art it will appeal to some, but not others; and in the end it is yours. If you love it then it doesn’t matter if your art appeals to others or not. That being said, your landscapes have always appealed to me, clean, neat, and showcasing amazing plants.
Did you ever wonder what that critical person’s landscape looked like? Probably better to jut take a deep breath and do what you do.
Mike as usual you did a great job, your landscape is pleasing to the eye and I love the lighting, everyone has their own perspective.
Thanks for all the help I have gotten from you for a lot of years.
Mike, im not a member but I enjoy your website. As for your design skills,
as so many posts reiterated, everything is a matter of perspective. I personally like a looser, less contrived look at my house but I admire all styles of gardening..
Just can’t have them all.
Thank you for your generosity with your knowledge.
Claudette Imbriano. Zone 6
Mike I think you have great landscaping skills.
Looks Great to me. I need you at my house!
Your Landscape looks very neat and well manicured.
There is always someone with a small brain and large mouth in life.
I want to thank you for all you do to teach others your trade. In life we all have different tastes, no one’s is better than another.
Garden Rules make me think “ cookie cutter “ design and I garden for my very soul. That being said, your garden, with your personal touch, impresses me far more than a garden that someone else designs for you in accordance to the rules of garden law!
Looks good to me. Personal preference raines!
He was right! I am a professional. You have made the most common amateur mistake. You crowded in a bunch of plants that look great at current size without any regard to how big the plants will get. Landscape should be designed to last for life. You’ll be ripping out plants in a few years. A shame a and a waste! People hire amateurs and don’t realize they got amateur work until its too late and their landscaping needs redone in a few years. Very common with new home builds.
Dear Kurt,
I’ve landscaped or re-landscaped over 1,100 homes. Not exactly an amateur. I’ve worked with plants pretty much every day of my life since 1972. I know plants. You’re right about one thing. Landscape design should last for life. I’m 65 years old. I love the plants that I’ve put into this landscape. Trust me, with a bit of gentle pruning they will most certainly last my lifetime and probably many, many more years beyond that. Life, is about doing thing that please yourself as long as they have no negative impact on other people. I’m not exactly sure which plants you think I crowded into this landscape. Certainly not all of the mini hostas. Certainly not the Coral Bells. And the beautiful and rare Japanese maples? They have plenty of room that they can easily stay there for a very long time where my wife and I can appreciate them immensely. Send us a link to some of your landscape designs and I’ll happily include it here so people can see all kinds of different ways to go about landscape design.
Mike, I love what you have done and I think the criticism from Kurt Ducommun is totally unwarranted. Definitely you can keep this landscape manageable with “gentle pruning”. There is plenty of room between plants. At our age (I am 69, my husband 68), we should be pleasing ourselves, not others, as long as, as you said, it has no negative impact on other people. What you have done is definitely not cookie cutter! You have put what you enjoy and at the end of the day, that is what it is all about! Kudos to you!
THANKYOU for your very refreshing comment.
hey Mike, came here specifically to compliment you on what you have done. I like your work. You are a class act. People who are unhappy with themselves and jealous always like to criticize others. Like cutting off someone’s head to make themselves appear taller, right? I love how you are always trying to help people to become independent and help start a business. You never charge for your advice either. Great job, Mike, keep it up, love getting your newsletters and info. MAGA
I think you left tons of space but what do I know>. I like the English cottage garden method. Plant what you love, then crowd in more. Move it around. Let it seed and love every minute of it
Why don’t you post your yard on here since you’re a “professional?” All his plants are nicely spaced apart to me. Mike is as professional as they get and i’m sure has WAY more years of experience!
Your landscaping looks great in my opinion. Most people how make bad comments couldn’t begin to do what you have done. Look at our polities, it in terrible shape! When are your sales this year!
Charles, thank you! Our sales are happening now.
Your landscape design capability is far better than mine. At 85, I have seen many different styles of Art; from Norman Rockwell realism to “surrealistic- abstract. All of the various styles are works of Art – at least in the eyes of the artists.. I have my preferences! If someone wants to criticize; let them show what they consider “good design”. Make their criticism constructive.:.
I personally wouldn’t have the lights shinning at my house but more on the plants to spot light them, but that’s my choice, everyone likes something different, but other than that I think it looks amazing.
I would love to see what the critics yard looks like, I’m sure its no match for yours.
Blue,
I’ve done landscape lighting both ways and often up light trees and shrubs in the landscape. But this landscape doesn’t really lend itself to that.
Mike, I love your designs. I love how they look more natural than cookie-cutter styles. I can not stand cookie-cutter flower beds. This is a source of many discussions with my husband. He wants to measure and have a flower bed square or rectangular. My eyes roll!!! To me, that is very unattractive and very disappointing. Thank you for all your help.
I’ve done my share of landscape design (as a student – Bachelor’s degree) and practiced on every property I have owned – and others. If your design skills “totally suck,” please keep-on-sucking. You know what I think…’Hurt People, hurt people.’ I hope the world gets kinder for that critic.
So, I need to ask, do you think I can make some good money growing and selling plants without having to invest $200K in equipment, infrastructure, on my 1.5-acre spread?? I guess I am retired now because I’m “overqualified” for anything I apply for, which really translates to “you’re too expensive, given your knowledge and experience and we’d rather give you the ‘overqualified’ reason for rejecting you than tell you it is truly because we illegally discriminate against people due to Age because ultimately the lower average age of our workforce, the lower our corporate insurance premiums. Thank you! Have a nice day.” I am sure you can pick up on my sarcastic resignation but after 30 months of trying and nearly 200 attempts to rejoin the workforce, I think God is trying to tell me to go do something else, something you love. And I love all things gardening and growing. With that being said, I don’t have illusions of making $50K/year, but if you think I can Net $10-15K annually, I’d welcome your guidance.
Tom from Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Tom,
I truly appreciate your comments and as to your question? Absolutely you can start growing and selling plants without investing tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars. I’ve got people doing this all over the country and Canada with great success. We’ve got a family in Pennsylvania that just did $11,000 worth of business last Saturday alone! You need to be in our members area where you can interact with those who are successfully doing what you want to do. I’m in there daily, answering questions and offering advice. http://backyardgrowers.com/join If membership is closed contact Duston and tell him that you spoke with me and need to be in there now. [email protected] or [email protected]
Well Mike, that all looks pretty good to me!
It’s all a matter of taste I guess – and as my mother used to say, “It wouldn’t do for us all to be alike”!
Heya,
I too am no landscpare gardener but the garden looks good and not every style is to everyone’s taste. Though I have always been a firm believer in giving anything a go and seeing whiat works and what doesn’t work is half the fun and speaks more about a design than the result.
a quote I love and seems appropriate in this situation
“opinions are like assholes, everybody’s got one”
Cheers
Your landscape design sucks? Says who? Gardens are like art. What appeals to one person will leave another cold. I didn’t know there was a rule to planting or how many Japanese maples one can put in a garden. If there is, that rule sucks.. He’d have apoplexy if he saw how many I have crammed in my garden!. This is all you have to ask yourself. Does it give me pleasure. If the answer is yes that’s all you need…unless you moved him in with you? Is he living with you? If he isn’t you should just apply the response we use in the UK ‘Who are ya?
Your landscape looks ok. Everybody has their own preferences when it comes to plants and landscaping. Don’t take it personnel Mike.
YHHY BLESS YOU AND YOUR HOUSEHOLD FOR I PLANT FOR ME NOT YOU ! SO IS THERE A BETTER UNIT OF MEASURE. YOURS HAS TO MUCH DEVINCI MIXED INTO RENWAH ! MAYBE IT IS THE BRUSH STROKES . OH WAIT THAT IS ART CLASS .my lilacs are going nuts . I cut them back for management . Now I need to propigate . Keep it simple and easy care .like yours
I find it fascinating that folks will say something under the anonymity of the Internet that they probably wouldn’t say to you in person. Landscape? Who died and made him the landscape judge?? Your yard looks fantastic!
Couldn’t have said this better! I love Mike’s design!
Great work Mike. There’s always some smart person who knows best! My wife wants something similar after seeing the photos !
Looks Beautiful to me Mike. Don’t know why anyone would criticize!
Not only does it look nice but it is an attractive solution to a water problem.
Good job Mike.
It looks perfect to me, but it is your yard. You should do what makes you happy with it. Too many people want to tell someone else what they should do. Keep doing what your are doing as long as you are happy. Maybe you could teach him a thing or two.
Don’t they call that kind of commenter a TROLL?
Looks great, Mike!
Thank you for your day-brightening posts!
Hi Mike, what a tosser, to many bad critical mouths in this world I wonder if his name was TRUMP.
I LOVE YOUR CREATION, The hearts of pedestrians passing must warm when they view your lovely home staged with such beautiful gardens.
I live in New Zealand, a learning Gardner, my greatest creation was growing a lemonade tree from a pip, 7 years old now and first flowers are just showing (My reward.) Youtube is a great place for sharing and learning, and you are one of my most favourite sites I go to developing my skills. Thank you for your “mikesbackyardnursery! Your effort is much appreciated. Darcy
I read your posts regularly primarily because you’re direct and often what you are saying is directly related to my gardening tasks.
The reason I’m writing today is that I need to move a mature (roughly 5 years old) red Japanese maple to a new location.
Could you please give me some of your expert guidance on how to do this without killing the plant?
Additionally, you live in a mature, developed neighborhood and not on a multi-acre estate. I would say your landscaping skills are absolutely appropriate for your neighborhood and home. Tasteful healthy plants interestingly layed out.
Jack,
Thank you for your kind words. Moving a five year old Japanese maple should be easy, but you have to do so when the plant is completely dormant. That would be after Thanksgiving or early spring.
I like what you have done with your landscaping. It looks very nice, in my opinion.
Your landscape designs are EXQUISITE!!!
I had to laugh at your email and whoever your critic was.
Also, I bought your ebook years ago and have been selling plants ever since, on Craigslist and eBay.
Thanks, from the Northwest!
Thank you Liz and congratulations on your success!
Mike, your landscape skill are so bad you should come to Florida and do mine for free! lol All kidding aside, most folks complain because they cannot do it themselves…trust everyone that has responded, you landscape skills are Awesome! Just need a donkey or two in there! LOL Keep on Brother! Thank You for ALL You do! God Bless You and Yours!
We have low lighting behind our shrubs and plants in front of our home and from a distance, it is very eye appealing. We were careful that the light did not hit any of the walls or windows in our home. In your photos, the light is hitting the walls of your house and effectively taking the focus off the landscaping. I could be wrong but I just think it was too much light. The lighting in your landscaping does enhance the appearance and it is beautiful but maybe take the light off the walls.
Lucy,
I want the light on the walls and washing up the pillars. And of course in person the lighting is softer, the photography has it slightly over exposed. I guess I suck at photography as well.
You are a success.I live in the U.K and know of you so you are internationally famous.I am a professional gardener of 12 years and am inspired by you.
Thank you Marie.
I think it looks wonderful and the most important thing is that you and your wife like it. Obviously we all have different tastes. Great job.
Mike I am into the design landscape as well and of course it’s been the busiest it’s ever been in my life since walking out in faith leaving my regular job to run my own landscaping business. And at times I’ve had those that complement me up and down and say what beautiful work I design and or do, and then there are others whom no matter what I do they don’t like how I do something the first time and then Expect me to tear it all up and change it in the middle of it after already getting it all in place which messes up other things like sprinklers and things like that and when I leave the job site I swear something else is wrong when I come back and that literally takes a calming peace to not blow the mind and just walk away etc. yet I don’t and finish that day and come back another day and still they want more and more and before too long what do you a mess to what was already done right in the first place. So I totally sympathize and your work from the pictures is beautiful I must add as well. You see when I stepped out in faith me another brother of mine vowed we wouldn’t give up no matter how hard it got. And seriously I can’t give up unless I want to go back to work for four bosses or others whom rule me and tell me how to do my job again. I don’t have any choice but forward with my full time every day except sundays landscape business. Only way is forward, to keep pouring it out and acceptance, patience, freedom are all very important lessons I have learned since I stepped out away from the shelter of a boss etc. My very joy or happiness is all in seeing others smile and being amongst nature. If I don’t have a weed eater, or plant plants even pull weeds, lay bricks…. What ever it is they ask return to a regular job would never make me happy. I my hope, faith, joy and love is in God of course but also the earth. Seeing people happy and even if it’s a tough landscape job I enjoy doing it. I even accept when I’m wrong. Yet when job comes up where when you have it all set and have everything working right the first time and it gets messed up the day because others didn’t listen that’s another tough lesson and even I’ve had it happen most recently in fact. Is why I’m sharing with you and no matter what’s said my good friend your work is very beautiful in my opinion.
Thank you Todd.
Obviously, he was commenting on the wrong post ! Lol. I love it !
I think your landscape looks good! There’s always room for improvement, so could you post a few pictures of your critic’s landscaping artistry, so we can all learn from it? … or, Maybe, he’s a less than talented BS artist?
If I told you that your design sucked and to show me how you could do it better in my yard, would you take me up on it?
LOL
Some people always got to make themselves out to be an expert. Tell those people that you are laughing all the way to the bank!
I wish I sucked that badly! Yours looks great! Don’t listen to them!
looks fine to me wih mine looked that ood
I admire your landscaping. Neat and clean. I would be interested in your thoughts on using ground cover in place of mulch.
Helaine,
I often use a lot of Blue Rug Juniper as a ground cover,but it doesn’t keep all of the weeds at bay. Still need to keep the weeds out.
I like the curves in the mulch beds, and the choice of specimen variety, but feel the size of the beds should support some taller plant materials.
William,
I don’t want taller plants. I want the Japanese maples that I’ve selected for this design and I don’t want the view blocked from the porch. This landscape is new, the plants will grow into the beds.
Bob Boysen says whomever told you that needs to get his head back where the sun shines. I think your landscape is one to be admired and envied. I’m a master gardener and one thing I’ve been taught, and learned, is that you do what pleases you and if someone doesn’t like it, they can look away. My wife and I get many compliments on our yard from passersby and we enjoy them. All I can say, Mike, I enjoy your emails and maybe, just maybe, if you keep at it long enough, you won’t suck at it!
Robert,
I’m sure I’ll improve over time.
I think landscaping is very personal, just like art. What you like in your yard may not be what everyone else likes, but so what? Your house, your style……if it makes you happy, then great!
Ignore negative people & keep on doin’ what you been doin.
You should feel good that you gave the guy the thrill of being able to do what he loves most; to COMPLAIN! You made his day and while he was criticizing you he was letting someone else rest. Just one more feather in your cap good man! Keep up the good work. MOST of us enjoy learning from you.
I think your landscape is lovely! But very ‘city’ or ‘suburb’. I am more of a living in the mountains landscape natural looking lover..
I think the critic’s brains were sucked out of his head before he looked at your landscaping.
🤣
Love the garland affect that the lights created at night. A bit of unusual captures the eye and draws you in for a closer look. Love your healthy looking plants.
Mike, I think your lighting and landscaping are beautiful. Whoever said the critical remarks, is crazy. I would love to visit your farm someday and I hope I do soon.
Awesome landscaping guy; your the best. You explain everything; and make it where we aren’t overwhelmed. Whoever that was, is just jelly.😂 p.s. I loved your dirt farmers fudge recipe
Great taste in designing your plant beds. I will plagiarize your layouts in some of my new plantings.
I over plant(s) in my beds and they sometimes look too busy.
Landscape lighting is mostly what the homeowner prefers.
Personally, I think the uplights shining on your house takes away from the path lights.
Reduce the wattage in the uplight and move them closer to your house shining more upright.
Add two or three uplights on a single tree(s). Depending on the height and trunk size of the tree. Multiple lights add dimension to the tree. Think north and south or triangle.
Remove the center light between the windows. Replace the existing lights on the columns with a more narrow beam only highlighting the columns.
These suggestions may keep the airplanes from landing on your front lawn. (G)
hahahahahahahaha – if this person thought your landscaping sucked why didn’t he offer you some advice! The reason being is that he didn’t have any to offer so let him crawl back in his little box and not bother anyone else in this world.
It’s amazing to me that there are so may “Experts” in this world who really don’t have a clue. I had some landscaping done years ago by some “Experts” and it turned out to be the worst thing I ever did and definitely the worst money I ever spent!
Landscaping is supposed to be an extension and the expression of the owner – I am in rural PA and now have cottage gardens that sprawl and plants that should never be planted together and I love it as does everyone who visits – SO Mike just keep right on doing what you do best and love every bit of your landscape and smile every time you stand back and look at it as I do with mine.
You have done a great job and will continue to do so !
Yeah I got sumpin ta say. Tell him to place his comments where the sun don’t shine. I think you do an excellent job of designing your landscaping around the house, not to mention the beautiful lighting. I would be honored if you did mine. Mike, there are just no pleasing everyone, all the time. You keep inspiring us, ya hear?
I especially like the lighting. I have Japanese maples also. I had a beautiful one at my old house that I had clipped and pinched on for over 10 years. Hated to leave it behind. Sorry you had someone say that to you.
Cute as a plastic barbie doll. What I call a cake landscape. Nothing real about any of it. It is popular in a lot of places. Typical suburban Stepford wife yawnscape. Cute, real cute. I think i may prefer your mulch pile – but that’s only me – We see this type everyplace so it must be liked.
Beautiful! And I bet it will be even more gorgeous as time passes. Love the variety of Japanese maples, and also the contrast of stone next to mulch!
An old quote is that beauty is in the eye of the behoder. He should remember the other quote if you haven’t got anything good to say then say nothing
Looks great to me. But, what’s that mulch? Is it dyed black? I think it makes a terrific contrast. Is that something you have written about and I missed it?
Hi Mike, If your landscaping sucks, I’d like to see what he thinks a good landscape looks like. Great job.
Nothing to dislike, clean and super tidy, just need to beef up the beds a bit, they look a little sparse for ‘my’ taste. The lights don’t show off the plants, but I wish I had lights at all to speak of! Love your posts and your donkeys.
You have over 100K subscribers who disagree. So who is he? nobody. ‘;D
Nothing to dislike, clean and super tidy, just need to beef up the beds a bit, they look a little sparse for ‘my’ taste. The lights don’t show off the plants, but I wish I had lights at all to speak of! Love your posts and your donkeys.
Personally, I think the landscaping and lighting looks great! Who cares what other’s think as long as it makes you, your wife, and the donkeys happy! There’s always a party pooper in every crowd. Continue on Mike! You are inspiring to everyone (except the party pooper).
Looks very nice and clean. Just please yourself, don’t worry about the others. Life is too short for that.
Hi Mike – I’d like to put my 2 cents worth in on the discussion of your landscaping skills . Remember Thumper, the rabbit in the Bambi cartoon from years ago? Thumper said it best: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. I’ve been following you for about 3 years now, love your suggestions and guidance, and while I don’t have the room to go whole=hog with plants, I do enjoy using your tips and methods in my downsized yard, and like yours, I think mine is quite pretty as well. Thanks for the guidance!!
\
Mike, you are the bomb. You don’t need us to tell you, but I’m so sorry someone tried to hurt you. I’ve been a fan of yours for tens year. Pay no attention to bad folks. We gotta stick together like tamarind stew and love each other. Who the heck? What the heck? you are the best and you’ve taught me so much. I’m in your debt.
He was just jealous! I love your lighting and landscaping. Some people are just not satisfied with anything.
I wish mine looked 1/2 that wonderful! Looks fabulous
Mike, your critic probably fancies himself an elegant, artsy garden designer of formal gardens. He may have done some good work somewhere, but I doubt he has the thousands of followers online that you do. I think your followers appreciate your practical, economical approach to landscaping. I always look forward to your videos. No need for you to second-guess your work. Just forge ahead.
Hi Mike-
I am a registered landscape architect. Have been since 1989. I like your design just fine.
Don’t credit somebody else’s aesthetic. Just keep doing what you’re doing.
I love your landscape design. Some people are just jealous of what others have. Nice job!
Opinions are like rear ends. Your landscaping looks good to me
I think your landscaping is beautiful and creative!!
I run a small plant business. A customer complaint is a learning opportunity. There is always something more I can learn to improve. I would have thanked him and picked his brain to hear his thoughts. It could be he has education or experience I do not, and it could be he makes a suggestion that really adds something to what I can offer my customers.
What are some of the potential criticisms he might have had in mind?
Your designs don’t have the vertical element and movement that plantings of bunchgrasses could add. Some could be placed behind your “show” plants to frame them by creating a living background.
Your designs don’t have a controlling color scheme. One color combo that I love is burgundy and lime green. You could select plants from various species to show different textures and forms using this palette. A color scheme can really tie things together and look sharp.
Your designs don’t have a low creeping element. Something like a creeping juniper or a nice groundcover like Potentilla anserina could add yet another dimension to your plantings and could be used to tie different show plants together.
Your designs as planted here don’t have anything currently flowering that I can see. Planning a series of flowers to bloom throughout the season means that something new is always coming into bloom and adding dynamism and ever-changing interest to your planting.
Instead of defending one’s position, look to criticism as a chance to learn. Life is a learning journey, and ego can get in the way.
I like your clean lines and the mulch which sets the plants off a treat,,
I like the saying ‘Never stop doing your best just because someone doesn’t give you credit’
Best wishes
Lisa ( UK)
I think it has a very clean, uncluttered yet colorful look with plenty of room for the plants to grow and a nice contrasting mulch. I personally love it.
I wonder what that other person’s yard looks like? It’s always interesting to find who throws the stone. All they usually have is a sack of rocks!
Enjoy your landscaping and fruit of your hard work. It’s beautiful. I wish I had a house so I could landscape mine. Great job Mike!
Remember, jealousy expresses itself in many different ways. Criticism being among the first.
Looks beautiful Mike, day and night. Japanese maples and hostas are my favorites along with miniature dallies.
Good job, Mike. I like the JM’s and the white azaleas together. And I love-love-love the stones/wood mulch curvy lines! Looks great.
Mike, I’ve been following your posts for years and everything you’ve done is outstanding in quality!
Some people have no vision for the end product!
Unless your using mature plantings,any landscape design can look ascue/awkward.
Its the designs that cram too many plants together(for the now look) that are a nightmare later. When plants grow you won’t even see the rock/mulch line!! As for lighting,maybe a softer lower wattage ? Also the LED’s come in a warm version now.
Hmmm. Might use it as a pattern for my house. Was just cutting the grass and thinking about what do do for a landscape design.
We think the views are lovely. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. We love any and all views that show color and life.All of these are lovely. Ted and Marie
Hi Mike,
Your landscape _is_ beautiful. I have only two concerns, where are the native plants that succor birds and butterflies? And how big do your JM get? I had to take one out recently because it was overgrowing the dining room window. Also, someone had pruned it inappropriately and it, well, just say it had lost some loveliness to the pruning shears!
Thanks,
Paula LIndsye
Not sure how large your Japanese maples will grow, not sure if I would have planted them that close to the house , but I am sure you know much more than I do . I think everything looks good. I’d trust you doing mine .
If your gutters can’t handle a heavy downpour, have you consider 6” gutters to handle the flow ?
Keyboard warriors who don’t know which end of a shovel to use Suck!
As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I’m a grad of Guelph Landscape Design program in Ontario, Canada and while there are certain ‘rules’ to be followed, I think your property is very well done. Who doesn’t like neat? Plus, you have allowed for growth……in a few years you won’t be attacking your beds with a chain saw. Hang in there….love your posts! Jan in Newfoundland.
?? I think your landscape looks great, the lighting, too.
How Could it be Better?
My husband and I are looking at your pictures and are both thinking, “what is that person talking about”? Nice color, balanced design, beautifully manicured beds, great choice of plants. Very eye-catching to us!
Well now beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I have my own yards lit at night, I enjoy the soft glow when I look out at any hour, I have heard favorable comments from neighbors, My yard is my joy; all 2+ acres and 200 fir trees. Complete with a waterfall and creek I designed. It looks as if Mother nature did it herself. Keep encouraging others to find passion in life with plants.
Sometimes it is good to plant outside of the box and your design is fine with me! Everyone has an opinion. As long as you and Pam like it does it really matter who does not? Go for it I think it looks beautiful.
Mike McGroarty, I think your landscaping design, plantings and lighting is very, very nice. Truly enhances the appearance of the home!
You are welcome to come do my landscaping. I think it’s awesome.! You are awesome. I have learned so much from you. Every time I am propagating I think about you. My grandmother had this plant when I was growing up and I loved my grandparents and loved the plant. About 2 years ago I rented a place in transition to buying a house I can’t remember what has brought me so much joy.. After about 60 years I saw this plant my grandmother had. I propagated it and everyday I thank God it is alive and now I know it’s going to make it. Does the landscaper who criticized you bring this much joy to his followers.
Mike your landscape skills are great, don’t pay any attention to negative comments, those people are not happy with themselves and feed off Creating Chaos and negativity.. Keep up your good work
Your home is lovely! You have made it so and added your personal touch too. Do you know how much I have learned from you???? From your agreeing with me about the nutrition of sawmill bark mulch ($10 a pick up truck load), to your changing my mind about trying to stick a stick in the ground anyway if the plant is a good one, you have shared your knowledge so selflessly. I have never spent a cent on your site and have gained so much…….Thank you! You have wonderful taste! It’s not mine but ……………it’s not mine! It’s YOURS!
Absolutely gorgeous!
Haters are going to hate.
New neighbor was so upset by my landscaping she cut down a large Vine without asking. Landscaping is an emotional thing but usually people just do their thing in their yard.
Most people don’t feel so opinionated by Interior design that isn’t what they’d do themselves.
I see some good ideas for my yard in your landscape.
I really appreciate all the useful info you share..
Some people MUST tell you you’re not doing things correctly, but that doesn’t mean they know.
If it makes you happy to live there with the plants that’s the true test of good landscaping.
What is the lighting you are using? What brand and where can I get some like them?
So stunning !!!
Mike , I think in respect to the tree’s planted close to the house is the only thing that would bring a negative , as far as a landscaper . I believe your plantings look great . Keep up the good work . You have inspired a lot of us to grow and enjoy natures beauty . Take care and stay safe ., Bob
I sure am glad we don’t all have the same taste. I really think your landscape looks great so whoever said yours suck, I wouldn’t want them to do mine.
Mike, who can argue with an expert. Looks very neat and clean. I would use some Whitacker grass to give it a little more layering effect. My design is for me, that’s free agency. Yours is well done, and for you. Enjoy your web sight and helpful remarks. Keep it going. Frank
Beats my landscaping any day!
I don’t do landscaping–but you have really neat, clean lines and interesting plants for shape and color. Very pretty. Wish I could afford you.
Nice job Mike. If you and yours are happy with it that’s all that counts.
Do you do Landscaping in Central PA? If so I’d hire you in a heartbeat. Beautiful!
this dude prolly has 2 peonies and some dandelions
I dont take criticism well
I have been known to use some bad words
power to ya mike
your stuff looks great
Tell him to put it where the sun don’t shine Mike! If you’re pleased with the way it turned out, that’s all that matters. Nice job………..
Your Design Is AWSOME. I only Wish I could do 1/2 as good. Please keep doing ALL You Do!!!
You have done so much for me over the years with your advise, your support and Great Attitude.
I Thank You Sir!!!
Buddy (Grumpy) Maddox😁
Lovely garden and lighting. Unfortunately you can’t please everyone. 😕
I think it looks awesome! I would like to see what his landscaping looks like. Anyway you look at it, it’s your yard and your preference. Good job.
Lovely garden and lighting. Unfortunately you can’t please everyone. The 😕
As I look at the landscape, I think it is beautiful, I wish my yard looked as nice. The lighting is also beautiful. There are so many people out there that think everyone wants to know their negativity. I was taught if you couldn’t say something nice, keep your mouth shut!! Too bad some people haven’t been taught this. Keep doing what you are doing, you do a great job!
I love you clean design. I plan on using your ideas for my own home, Thank you.
I agree with Kathy Stooksbury!
Hello Mike, never forget this:
Rude comments and or destructive opinions are no different than the neighbors dog leaving a deposit in the center of you beautiful lawn. And they are dealt with in the exact same manner. Take a shovel and bury it, hose off the grass and move on. Do not dwell on stinky comments or stinky dogs.
And yes I love your landscaping displays and all the help you are bringing to the community.
Have another great Summer!
Very Pretty, did you have any problems this year with your Japanese Maples, ours and our neighbors Japanese Maples have turned brown .?
Looks nice, pops!
Ha…..your landscaping is lovely!
I would let you come do mine any day of the week! Your beds are so beautiful Mike!
I have come to the conclusion, that on cyber space, people are rude and mean!!! just bc they
can be.
That looks great to me!!!
Looks awesome Mike – been following you for years and really appreciate the knowledge you share with us from the goodness of your heart – always look forward to your emails – you the man
Bruce
New Zealand
Love your new house, lighting, landscaping and choice of plants. I have downsized to a condo, no longer have a ninety foot wide yard to work in my many ornamental bushes and perennials. that I used your advice and tips in doing. I even brought 3 newer ones (had them transplanted) one Red Dragon JM, a Pee Gee and Limelight Hydrangeas to my new place! I really MISS my old yard! However after all these years following you , still enjoy getting your emails and plant advice . Thank You!!
Looks good to me. My yard is more rhyme or reason. Have lots of clay so IF I can dig a hole that’s where something goes. Or lots of pots. Your yard is very tidy and I like that.
Mike, that’s why Baskin Robbins has 31 flavors. Personally, I can’t stand nuts of any kind and that guy reminds me of Rocky Road!
Love your sites. Have learned a lot.
You let someone with helpful comments like it sucks get under your skin? If the person who lives there likes it, it is beautiful lol. I love the stone idea. I have done formal beds – beds that are full- beds that are outright wild looking and they are all beautifully done because that is what the person liked. Can you have an ugly place that has plants? What he should have said is – that is not my style. You are great at what you do and I am glad I came to know of you. Being in the public eye you will always have some attackers.
Lovely!! You did a great job.
NOT TOO SHABBY FOR AN OLD DIRT FARMER –LOL
One man’s opinion. He’s entitled to not like it. The rest of us, obviously, enjoy the heck out of it. If you have one negative response versus thousands of positives, who cares? He’s obviously not a happy person or he would have kept his negative thoughts to himself but he felt he needed to take someone down a notch and you, having a public profile, fit his needs at the moment.
Your efforts and plants & lighting look fabulous!! You can design the same for me anytime. That visitor must have been having a bad day.
Hmmm… Is that dyed mulch I see there??
What do they say opinions are like… everyone has one? Ignore any negativity. I think your landscaping is beautiful and tastefully done. I’d be proud if mine looked half as good. Well done Mike.
It’s nice. I like it because everything is neat and has its own space to shine. What are you using to keep the mulch and rock from mixing?
Mike,
I think your landscape design is very nice!.
looks great to me. did the guy saying it sucked post any pictures of what he’s cone
I like it plain and simple, lighting excellent.
Sorry Mike, apparently the world is full of “experts” who like the sound of their own voice! I’ll take your designing acumen which has been built from the ground up over any hoity toity self proclaimed critic. Keep up the good work, work which you obviously love!
Don’t see a problem. It all looks nice. May this guy should get his head out of his books and start doing instead of criticizing. Be true to what you know..
What sucks is someone coming on here criticizing another man’s work. That really sucks. We all have our likes and dislikes, big deal. I wouldn’t give it another thought Mike. As the kids say haters gonna hate!
Well I think your landscape design and your lighting for absolutely phenomenal. Who cares what anybody else thinks
I don’t know if the asshat that told you this sucked, was legit, or if he was just as I stated, an asshat! Someone that had to be very jealous of your skills, or someone just going from one page to the next criticizing whatever!, but your landscaping looks awesome to me! How many times do you drive through a neighborhood and find more than 1 or 2 who even bother to landscape? Yours is fabulous! If my husband listened to me even once……I might have something that looked like yours!
Mike, your landscaping skills are two thumbs up. It’s a shame people have to feel better about themselves by knocking other people. Thanks for all you do for us , and keep designing!
I wish you could come and do my yard. Keep up your good work!
Well, I’m no expert, but I think your landscaping is very nice. Pretty plants that are healthy looking, clean and neat. I even like the lighting.
There’s no pleasing everyone is there.
No critical words here…just praise, approval and encouragement!!
Thank you Kathy!
When I was an art teacher, another teacher asked what art she should buy for her house. “Whatever kind YOU like.” Same with your yard.
Landscape design is personal. It’s about what you like. I really like what you have done. Keep up the good work. Keep on doing what inspires you.
IMHO, I think it’s all BEAUTIFUL! I love seeing rocks incorporated. I’m on limited funds, so where is beat place to buy bulk decorative rocks?
One question: Are your J maples a “dwarf” variety? If not, maybe awfully close to house?
A landscaper planted one near mine off small patio … 20 yrs later, I may have to remove the gorgeous thing! It’s taller than my neighbor’s 2nd floor rooftop & they’re complaining that it’s canopy lower branches are encroaching.
What to do? I’ve had to take out nearly EVERY tree on my small backyard lot that was planted back then by pro landscaper … none were dwarf variety and ALL either dangerously encroached my own or neighbor’s house basements with invasive deep roots (magnolia & a shrub turned massive tree) and/or canopy damage to roof tops.
What to do?
I just hate to part with my gorgeous J Maple with changing leaf & bark colors throughout the year. 😔
Exactly!
Wish mine looked that good…
Ignore that person..
I like it but you live there. You see it every day. If you’re happy with it, that’s all that’s important. Rock on-plant on!
Me too! I think it looks awesome. Mike could come and do my landscaping anytiime!
I have to agree. It’s beautiful! I have long admired you and wish I had space to follow your examples. I feel you are a very skilled gardener and the lights are a nice touch.
I always enjoy getting your mail.
Thank you,
Sincerely yolanda
Hi Mike! I think you did an awesome job. That’s so pretty anyone would be proud to have their yard look so good!
Ditto!
Mike, some people just don’t know which comments to keep to themselves. Everything you do with gardening is wonderful and with common sense. Take care
I think it looks great Mike. Everyone to his own By the way. Who makes up the rules for landscaping?.?? Look at you and what you have done. I’m not sure you followed the rules to get where you are at. You constantly help people and who ever heard of $4.97 plants as you started out?!
Thanks Kathy!
Your landscape looks good to me, Mike! Don’t worry about one disgruntled comment! I can’t find the Snow Angel Coral Bells in my area of SW Michigan–wish I could! Do you have any ideas of what I can do with my little purple grape hyacinths after they quit blooming? The foilage lops over and looks SO untidy. Am I supposed to dig them up and replant? They multiply and that’s great! I just don’t like looking at the green all summer! Got any ideas for me? Thank you!
Rosie,
Once those tops start to fade just clip them off. The bulb only needs them while they are vibrant and green.
RIGHT!!!
This is almost funny. just wanted to let you know I have 3 JM in my front landscape also. and 2 more out back. Love them.
Personally, I think its brilliant!
Absolutely stunning, Mike. Makes me miss Ohio.
Thanks Van!
Biggest question to answer is, does your wife like it? If so, you’re golden.
I really don’t get the crowding plant comment–the other seems to be the reverse (I more often see garden beds with plants put it right next to each other and/or are little more dense usually, as done by professional gardeners).
That one Japanese maple on the corner of the house is going to be a real show stopper for sure once it gets a little bigger.
Thanks so much for your common sense approach to all things gardening.