I need help planning my flower garden?

I want to remove my hostas and my tiger lilies. How do I pull them up and stop them from returning? In addition, I want to put in new perennials, hardy ones that can handle Michigan's unpredictable climate. I want coreopsis because I know they grow well in that section of my yard, but after that I'm lost. I have some Asiatic lilies in that area that do well. They can stay, and I don't mind adding more. The space I'm working with has a northern exposure that is about 20 feet long and four feet wide. I also have lots of big rocks that I've collected from hiking along the Great Lakes that I keep in there too. I would like this area to look like I know what I'm doing, even though I don't. I appreciate any and all suggestions. Thanks.

I need help planning my flower garden?
Contact your county extension office and ask for a master gardener........


MG's need to volunteer time each year in order to keep their status. They'd be more than happy to help you plan and they have a world of information at their fingertips to help you!
Reply:Hey,





I'm in australia but not sure what suits your climate or lighting situation. But a basic rule you can keep to is the the levels in your garden. For example right at the back of your garden is where you'll have your largest plants or trees that can eventually create a screen. Infront of that have your medium sized plants and your smallest one at the front. For the front most the time we use a ground cover so will eventually cover the most of the garden keeping weeds away. Not sure what plants you'll use but if you keep to that structure in a year or so you'll have a lush weed free garden that will be relatively low maintenence.
Reply:I tend to divide flowers into two categories...those that smell good and those that don't. I smell test them when we go to Lowe's each spring, however I leave the actual selection up to my wife.
Reply:I find the best way to get rid of flowers you don't want without wearing yourself out is put a sign in your driveway "Free Plants you dig"


You will be surprised how quick your job will get done.





I love Peonies,in order to grow they must have freezing weather so Michigan is good. But for them to give the most flowers they need to be in the sun, they will grow part shade tho.





I also like geraniums, in fact I just ordered from this company


and I am very pleased with the plants and their prices. received my order in two days.


http://www.killdeerfarms.com/





Allysium will look great in your rocks and it has a nice fragrance
Reply:wow, welcome to my new world!!!


I live near Holland, mi!


pull them all out, save your soil, put the plants in bags or boxes on the road w/a free sign..someone will take them no ??? asked ASAP!!! TRUST ME!!! I got a lot of my plants that way:)!


those types of plants really dint care..years and years dealing with them...they are almost WEEDS!!!!


email me for more info..used grow in an oak forest...email me: bearfox_traders@yahoo.com
Reply:I'm a michigan gardner also (zone 5). Have you tried making a diagram of the area - complete with the rocks and everything you already have. You can move stuff around on paper and get it the way you think you want it. I personally make a new diagram every winter and use about 1/4 of the new things i've added or changed.


Good luck getting the hostas and tiger lillies gone - i've tried for three years to get rid of my hostas - I just keep digging and digging but it seems every year i'm back at it - can't even get the deer to eat them (lol)