Usually the side yard landscaping is the least exciting area of the yard.  It wasn’t the case for our house.  This is the area that I fell in love with when we purchased our home.

Houses usually have minimal windows on the side of the house where the garage is, creating a large blank wall.   The landscaping choices in our yard brought interest to the wall and an inviting invitation to the backyard.

Side Yard Stone Pathway

The previous owners created a lovely stone pathway on the side of the house leading to the backyard.  Towards the back of the house, the stones become steps.

Both sides of the stone pathway are beautifully landscaped with a variety of plants.  Our boxwood shrubs and climbing evergreens provide color all year-long.

The pink astilbe bloom the month of June.  Once the blooms are finished, I prune them back and the green leaves provide color all summer long.  I love the contrast of the ornamental tree with the purple leaves behind the astilbe.  Does anyone know the name of that tree?

Climbing Evergreens Break Up Side Yard Wall

The previous owners  added  some unique climbing evergreens to break up the large brick wall on the side of our garage and our brick chimney.  I love how these climbers add height and break up the brick wall.

Endless Summer Hydrangeas

Our hydrangeas provide beautiful blooms all summer long.   If we add sulphur to the soil the blooms are a beautiful blue.  I have also added my coffee grinds to the soil.  The acidity helps them turn blue.  Here’s a link on How to Get Blue Hydrangeas from Better Homes & Gardens.

Changing Landscape Over the Years

Next month marks 18 years since we moved in to our home.  During that time we have watched our climbing evergreens grow and have made adjustments along the way to the landscape.  Unfortunately some large trees had to be removed so what was once all shade is now partial shade/sun.

Supporting Climbing Evergreens

As the climbing evergreens grow, we have to support the branches.  We do this by wrapping a wire around a branch and a nail in the brick mortar.   We also prune the evergreens every year.

Thanks for stopping by and touring my side yard garden.