AboutMarc Chapelle, ASLA Expertise As a licensed Landscape Architect, I can answer general questions about style and design, ideas and suggestions for site amenities, larger site-planning issues, or recreation and park design.
IF YOU JUST WANT A PLANT SUGGESTION GO HERE: http://www.growit.com/PlantInfo/LandScape.htm
I prefer you ask somebody else why your petunias are not as perky as they should be...I'd LOVE to tell you how can use those petunias to increase your home's value!
Experience Member, American Society of Landscape Architects (ALSA.org); Past clients have been mostly contractors, developers and local civil engineering/architecture firms, plus the occasional homeowner. Currently, I design recreational facilities for the National Park Service (DOI).
I am located in the dry Great Basin area (Greater Nevada/Utah), so the use of landscape materials OTHER than plants is emphasized. As a licensed Landscape Architect on the East and West Coasts, I have been in practice over 20 years.
Organizations ASLA (ASLA.org)
Education/Credentials BSLA in Landscape Architecture, 1989
Many additional seminars, educational venues, and classes (both taught & attended)
Awards and Honors Best Multifamily project, 1993
Best Model Home Landscaping, 1993
Question I recently moved into a house (in central South Carolina) and there is no shade in our back yard. The previous owners installed a French drain which runs about a foot away from our back privacy fence. Our house sits in the valley of a two small hills so all cars and neighbors can see into our back yard as well. I want to plant some shade trees that would also provide privacy along the back and side fence, but I am worried about the roots growing into the drain line. Can you suggest some trees that would provide shade and privacy but not interfere with the drain? The backyard is exposed to full sun and the soil holds moisture fairly well.
Answer Your Ag Extension has provided excellent resourses for So. Carolina. Here is a link to their Tree Guide - pay attention to the "Remarks" column (i.e. Ash have "large surface roots", so avoid this species for your planting locaton):
I heistate to select one for you, as I don't know how big a back yard you have, what size you are looking for, if you prefer evergreen por deciduous trees, the depth & size of French drain, or how far away you intend to plant the tree from it (I'd suggest a minimum of no closer than 5 feet away). I would suggest an evergreen, because their roots generally tend to be less invasive, and will give you year-round screening from the neighbors.
Also, as the tree grows, it will heave the area around it up, changing the drainage pattern and may effect the flow within the pipes of the drain...
