What Would You Do?

[MS_SURVEYOR]

My father in law passed last summer. He did all the grounds work himself. My mother in law has no idea how to keep the grounds. My wife has stepped in keeping the grass cut, and trying to clean up the over grown rose bushes and trees. This lot has some problems.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu216/MS-SURVEYOR/June-12-2009020.jpg?t=1244957111

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu216/MS-SURVEYOR/June-12-2009021.jpg?t=1244957176

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu216/MS-SURVEYOR/June-12-2009023.jpg?t=1244957218

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu216/MS-SURVEYOR/June-12-2009019.jpg?t=1244957278

I'm trying to get some ideas. This is just helping my wife selling a thyme to her mother who thinks she can just trim the stuff into shape. I'm just free labor. What would you do? I want to kill and dig up everything! My back is hurting me now!! What would you go back with? This is central Mississippi.

Thanks!

ms

[cudaclan]

I see contradicting species in the same location.

I believe I see lilac, hydrangea and roses (full-sun) located in a shady location with ferns (shade). Very few ferns are sun tolerant. The evergreens are problematic and are not worth the maintenance. It will prevent airflow grouped /massed in its current condition. This will harbor disease and borers, remove them. Relocate the roses, hydrangea and lilacs to a sunny location. If you cannot relocate the taller specimens (left side of house, door entrance), discard. They maybe too mature for transplanting.

I would choose various plantain lilies and ferns given your climate zone, lighting conditions and maintenance requirements. Finally, install edging.