A couple of years ago I posted a video and some photos of the landscaping around our house and one guy said something like, “It’s a good thing you know how to grow plants because your landscape design skills are terrible. So when I did an update I titled the post, “My Landscape Design Skills Suck”.
Here we are a year later and I see some things in my landscape that I’d like to share with you, so for all practical purposes I’ll forewarn you that my landscaping is “Butt Ugly”. That way my critics don’t have to work so hard to point that out.
That concludes the tour of my Butt Ugly Landscape. Questions, comments, mean things to say? Post them below and I will respond. Until then, by any and all means stay inspired!
I didn’t see anything butt ugly about it.
Just found your site while googling strawberry vanilla hydrangea. Had to ask if you might consider doing a post on how to make a tree form hydrangea like you did with your limelight. Love your site. Thanks!
Jackie,
The process would be exactly the same. However, Strawberry Vanilla is patented so it cannot be propagated until the patent expires. But if you have a plant to work with, that would be great.
Not butt ugly at all, lol. I love the colors and actually everything looks very manicured compared to my yard!
Hiya Mike. Really love the defined beds and mulched beds. It really makes the design cohesive. If I’m starting new beds, what type of soil should I use — top soil/compost, leaf compost, mushroom compost. I’m planning to lay down cardboard to smother the existing weeds/lawn. Thanks a bunch.
Atia,
Good topsoil would be great. As long as it’s good topsoil. See this https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2012/05/the-best-topsoil-for-you/
Thanks Mike — you’re still my hero!
Mike! Bahh! I’m super excited to come see what you have this weekend! 🤗 I am a flower enthusiast! Slightly new, at least to being quite as obsessed as I am now..I even have the hubby excited to come with me! I’d love to perhaps pick your brain a little on a few things, plant related of course! I love your garden btw! Nothing ugly about it good sir! I also wanted to ask if you happen to carry clematis, or honeysuckle.. anything climbing? Even if it’s not a climber, I love flowers and am excited to go shopping for some tomorrow!
Dana,
The only climber that I had was hydrangea but they might be all gone. Not sure.
i love to see the magic you do. i wish i would feel better and did’nt have so much on my plate now
It’s not “ugly,’ it’s just not everyone’s preference. Or climate, Or other natural challenges. 😉 I love seeing pictures of landscape plantings that are realistic for most people. Those fabulous photos in fancy magazines cost many tens of thousands in installations, and thousands in maintenance.
My challenges are deer, javalina, and drought, so I envy your shade plants. You must have deer, though!
Hey Mike,
I think “Butt Ugly is just another name for “Eclectic”. I love eclectic especially when my wife says “what is that”, “who planted that” or “Where did that come from”. She does the same thing to me.
Some times you just need something growing where it is out of place or just shouldn’t be there.
Keeps life interesting and entertaining.
Agree with your comment. But looking to ask Mike where I can comment. Im joined and have no option anywhere to comment
Jessica,
If you are a paid member, http://backyardgrowers.com/join
, you should have a user name and password to https://backyardgrowers.com/ you can log in there and join the on going daily disscussions as well as the buy/sell area. Contact Duston if you need help with your membership. [email protected] or [email protected]
Keep politics out of garden. Plants and flowers are apolitical.
Was I political? I don’t think so.
Flags and a “Proud of the USA” planter are not political!
Being patriotic by putting out a few American flags and a “Proud of the USA” planter is clearly not political!! Looks great Mike! We have many flags in our landscape and gardens!
Thanks Chuck!
Sad when showing pride in your country is taken as a political stance.
Hi Mike. I have been following you for quite a few years now. Love your inspiration. No, your landscaping is NOT butt ugly. As a matter of fact I just had a sidewalk installed with a curve and a flower bed in front just like in your pic above. I love maple trees also and want to put one there. However, that bed is is there to disguise the area around my septic tank. If I put a dwarf maple there will the roots interfere (grow into) the tank seeking water? I am thinking it is not a good idea. Thoughts??
Christine,
Probably not a good idea, I’d find a better spot.
I’m here in TN. I’ve been following you for years. I LOVE your amazing knowledge of plants and landscaping! Don’t let anyone diminish your talent .
Your landscaping is wonderful. Your approach is refreshing. The knowledge you share is based on hands on tried and true methods.
Keep up the great work !!!!
Thank you Susan, appreciate it.
Whoever said it looks ugly must have a brain problem. I think it looks great! I especially like your little flower pot guy! 🙂
Yea, Pam did a great job on that little guy.
I always tell my critics my garden like my house is a “work in progress” and eventually I will “get” there. In the meantime if you want to be critical – grab a shovel or hammer or whatever suits your fancy and give me a hand and your “invaluable” assistance to improve on what you see and especially dislike. Works everytime – they usually shut up or go away.
BTW – I think your garden/yard looks fantastic and I especially like the contast in textures between the mulch and the river rocks.
Thank you!
Your flowers are great
Looks fine to me. How do you keep the weeds at bay?
Dave,
I apply a pre emergent over the mulch but mostly we just keep it mulched and weeded.
I would love for my landscaping to look as “ugly” as yours does.
Your landscape is very beautiful! Now you have given all your readers hope of what we can have. Thank you for your videos and pictures.
mike, i see absolutely nothing wrong with your landscape…..i wish mine looked that good! you keep your good advise coming, those of us who arent actually :”perfect” need all the help ee can get
What do you do after the tulips are done blooming? That’s a problem I have with that kind of plant.
Thanks
Mike,
We let the tops start to die then we cut them off.
Mike – just beautiful. Just wondering how you keep weeds/little sprouts from growing into your little stones you have on the landscaping. Every day I have to go out and pull them out. The stones are all around my pool. Looks good when no weeds are there.
I use a pre emergent and pull and spray when I need to.
I really appreciate your reply. I was about to give up. I had to look up pre-emergent and found it, so I’ll try it. I just bought roundup but the sprouts turn brown and I have to pull anyway, so I guess I won’t use it. It’s a big area, so I’ll try to use the pre-emergent. I used preen years ago and it helped somewhat in the front area of my home. I always look at your website and find so much interesting stuff. Don’t know how you do it all !!
Thanks again, Lynda
Lynda,
A pre emergent will be on no use until you get all of weeds out ahead of application.
Looks great Mike! Where did you get your hyacinth bulbs? I bought some from a flower catalog website and the flowers were tiny.
Steve,
Pretty sure I got them here. https://www.dutchbulbs.com/
I highly recommend Van Engelen for large plantings. Best quality available for all types of bulbs.
Where in northern Ohio are you located? I am in nw Ohio and would love to come to your sales ! Thanks in advance.
Pam,
Perry, Ohio, north east corner of the state about an hour west of Erie, Pa, 30 minutes east of Cleveland. Our “retired hours” are ten a.m. til two p.m. Mon thru Sat.
I don’t think it looks ugly. Everything appears to be healthy and growing well!
Thanks Tracy! We like it as well, but to the few just have to criticize I help them out.
Beuty is in the eyes of beholder Sir
Love from UK