Landscaping - Plant Suggestions

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irvine321

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Any suggestions on landscaping plant choices for a small yard?  I need to choose plants for a new construction home in Irvine, typical small motorcourt house backyard (basic 2' perimeter around pavers).  I'd like something low maintenance.  Landscaper has suggested ficus nitida and wax leaf privet for privacy shrubs, however local nurseries have warned against invasive roots (ficus) and bees (privet).  Am now considering silver sheen or more drought tolerant plants like succulents.

All advice appreciated, thanks!
 
We're considering Podocarpus. Requires some regular annual maintenance to keep it from growing too big. I believe regular pruning keeps it under control and works well as a privacy screening plant.
 
irvine321 said:
Any suggestions on landscaping plant choices for a small yard?  I need to choose plants for a new construction home in Irvine, typical small motorcourt house backyard (basic 2' perimeter around pavers).  I'd like something low maintenance.  Landscaper has suggested ficus nitida and wax leaf privet for privacy shrubs, however local nurseries have warned against invasive roots (ficus) and bees (privet).  Am now considering silver sheen or more drought tolerant plants like succulents.

All advice appreciated, thanks!
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Can you provide a pic of the area to be landscaped? Might help in terms of knowing whether you're going for a patio/seating area surrounded by plants, etc...
 
I know this topic is on plants but figured I would ask people's thoughts on the following landscape related questions:

1) Would you get a water feature? There is increaesed cost and maintenance aspect. Is it worth it for those folks that got it in hindsight?
2) Would you do built in seating or opt to purchase outdoor furniture?
3) Firepit? Yay or nay?
4) Are olive trees and citrus trees a pain to clean up after when they drop?

Thanks!
 
1. Water Feature... yeah.

2. Purchase outdoor furniture... gives you more flexibility to move things around, and with today's small backyards, you may need it.

3. No on firepit... my eyebrows just grew back.

4. Citrus tree > olive trees... I don't like olives. :)
 
I've also heard water features are a pain in the neck, need maintenance, pumps break down often, etc. Truth to this?
 
SubSolar said:
I've also heard water features are a pain in the neck, need maintenance, pumps break down often, etc. Truth to this?
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Depends on the quality of the pump, how often it's used and installation/location of it.

Most pumps are easily replaced and tend to have a long life (again, depending on usage).

We had one for 3 years, didn't turn it on that much... and never had problems with it.
 
WTTCMN said:
4. Citrus trees are great.  We have the dwarf ones - easy to clean up after.
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i have a dwarf lime tree from costco, produces limes like crazy. the soil in columbus square is very "rich" in nutrients.

 
irvinehomeowner said:
qwerty said:
i have a dwarf lime tree from costco, produces limes like crazy. the soil in columbus square is very rich in "nutrients".
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You put the quotes around the wrong word.
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thats because the nutrients are doing their job, plus, english is my second language so i have somewhat of an excuse and my main excuse is that im mexican so my intelligence is limited. 
 
irvinehomeowner said:
I can't believe you pulled the "No habla ingles" card on me.

And then you topped it with a "Yo no soy inteligente".

#NoEsJusto
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Impressive.

With yours and inc's command of the Spanish language I may have to make u both honorary Mexicans, may even invite you guys over for some yard work :-)
 
incognito said:
We're considering Podocarpus. Requires some regular annual maintenance to keep it from growing too big. I believe regular pruning keeps it under control and works well as a privacy screening plant.
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I know it has been a while but did you end up going with podocarpus? Any feedback?
 
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