Patio Garden Makeover: Clearing, Transplanting, and Planting Hydrangeas

When we finished the patio last year it looked great — especially if you ignored the unfinished landscaping behind it. Over time that back area became overgrown and a little sad-looking, so we decided to tackle a refresh to make the space feel tidy and intentional again.

There was a lot that needed attention: crowded plantings, diseased trees, a dead rhododendron, and random patches of liriope and bare soil. With advice from Katherine, a certified landscape designer who visited recently, we learned which plants to keep, what to prune, and which ones to remove so the remaining plants would have a better chance to thrive.

Our patio itself still looks great and weed-free thanks to a crack-sand technique we used, but the garden area behind it had become messy. Katherine pointed out a couple of trees that were diseased and a large rhododendron that was completely dead — so those came out first. After removing them we raked years of leaves and debris to reveal the actual ground and layout of the bed.

The immediate change was dramatic. Opening up the space made the patio feel less crowded and created room for thoughtful plantings instead of the previous cluttered look. We still had clumps of liriope to remove and several bare spots that needed new plants, so we set out to make the garden look more intentional.

One of Katherine’s suggestions was to transplant some existing shrubs rather than buy everything new. In one crowded corner we had several nandina bushes growing too close together. We dug a few of them up and moved them as a group next to the large hydrangeas in the corner. Grouping like plants creates a cleaner, more intentional look and helps each plant shine.

We added three new hydrangeas from a local nursery — after price-checking we found the best deal at Great Big Greenhouse, which also offered a one-year warranty. These are the same variety as the hydrangeas already thriving in the corner, so we’re hopeful they’ll grow and bloom as well. Everything was planted, watered, and prepared for mulch.

Between recent rains and the full rain barrel we’ve been using for supplemental watering, the new plantings have a good start. Digging turned up a few worms, which Clara found endlessly fascinating — she even said she dreamed about worms the next night. Gardening really does create small moments of joy like that.

Once everything was in place we covered the beds with mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. The mulch immediately made the planting beds look finished and tidy — it’s a simple step that makes a big visual difference and helps the plants stay healthy through dry spells.

We still have a corner near the rain barrel to finish and a few smaller spots by the house that could use low-scale plants, but overall the transformation from unruly to refreshed happened quickly and is incredibly satisfying. Landscaping is hard work — dusty, sweaty, and physical — but the visible before-and-after payoff is one of the most rewarding parts of homeownership.

Have you been working on any garden projects lately? We’re especially happy with how the hydrangeas and nandinas are settling in, and we’re looking forward to seeing more growth and blooms in the seasons ahead.