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Hi, Y'all,
I am new to the forum! This is my first post
I live in coastal South Carolina: Georgetown, 38 or so miles from Myrtle Beach.
My husband built me a beautiful deck at the end of last summer...I love it!
I'd like to do some landscaping around the deck; trouble is I have 3 dogs who LOVE to lie underneath the deck to get out of the heat.
We plan to install some latticework to discourage the dogs from napping under the deck. I'd really appreciate some suggestions of things to plant to enhance the appearance of the yard around the deck, and that would attract butterflies. Am I pushing the envelope to ask for something that would also discourage our state bird, the MOSQUITO???
kdawson Hi there and good luck with your landscaping project. I love my lilacs and honeysuckle around my deck. I keep them pruned slightly but really don't do much to them except enjoy them. Nearby we have a Patmore Ash that has grown big enough to provide us with some limited afternoon shade on the deck. I would also suggest some butterfly bushs,coneflowers(purple, yellow, etc.), and other flowering perennials to put around or nearby your deck to attract butterflies. Avoid lingering moisture or standing water to keep down the mosquitos and try to provide good natural air circulation around your plants.
kdawson Hi there and good luck with your landscaping project. I love my lilacs and honeysuckle around my deck. I keep them pruned slightly but really don't do much to them except enjoy them. Nearby we have a Patmore Ash that has grown big enough to provide us with some limited afternoon shade on the deck. I would also suggest some butterfly bushs,coneflowers(purple, yellow, etc.), and other flowering perennials to put around or nearby your deck to attract butterflies. Avoid lingering moisture or standing water to keep down the mosquitos and try to provide good natural air circulation around your plants.
My deck is about 5 feet up. Does that make sense? Well, anyway I purchased mini trellises and planted clematis. They are fragrant, and look good to boot. In between them I have planted "naked ladies" for the spring, and hostas for after that. I plan to add some annuals this spring for some color. I am also looking into the possibility of a pool, cutting the railing and installing a deck for the pool. If that happens, I will have to move/divide some things. Always a continuing /ongoing updates and additions.
K, I'd recommend putting up the lattice work first, to ease the dogs in, then when you spend all that money on nice flowers, they won't be trying to dig under the deck because they will be used to it being closed off.
I'd suggest (may not work in your zone?) but a small flowering tree to provide resting shade for the dogs, with some flowers not at the base but near this. Options are crepe myrtal or a camilia, but the camilia's need part shade so depends on which side your deck is shaded for this one.
We once made a lattice out of firing strips then painted it but it was quite a job. It was sturdy but was pretty heavy and bulky to handle. Some you buy are much lighter and probably more practical. I would guess that many are even plastic now and won't ever need painting. There are so many neat plants you might find to vine there way up the lattice or trellis.
