^superb RSBob
I like perriwinkle/vinca as a ground cover instead of grass. Nice carpet of purple flowers in the spring. Grass will invade if it's been weakened in any way though. Vinca grows slowly (unlike similar euonymus which chokes out everything). For a small planter bed? Naw, I wouldn't. cover it up if not doing anything this year or plant bee-friendly wildflowers from seed.
Those rocks in your pic will start getting filled with weeds five years out after the neighboring leaves decompose so rake/blow them out religiously. The good news is it's deep enough you can use the flat of a garden rake to pull through the stones and break all the roots easily.
I'm starting to go with the bigger perennial shrubs so hopefully less work. I've neglected the yard and house for a few years and it shows. The elderberry bush center back has not been doing well and three butterfly bushes died this winter but some wild sprouts survived and can be moved over. This harsh long winter seems to have reduced the plague of green mildew all over this neighborhood even with us being elevated and southern facing.
-Got some new flame grasses which are perennial and looks like spectacular color. Just have to save them from the dog.
-Also got a gorgeous flowering almond for color in early spring. Going to put it against garage for visual contrast.
(spring tulips are fading this week and magnolia trees popped and dropped a week ago after only a few days)
-Chopped the montmorancy cherry tree about in half and it liked it. Hopefully there will be another good crop this year.
-Need to do a lot of work on the walk, but instead of spraying or pulling weeds again and again, I'm going to plant spanish moss and other ground cover between the stones and hopefully nature will sort itself out without my help.
