Backyard ID assistance

We bought a house in Evanston and moved in last December. The previous owner was a landscape designer and, sadly, the transaction did not go, uh, smoothly (meaning he's not gonna be of assistance). The good news: when it's in bloom, the yard is spectacular. The bad news: we're clueless. He planted beautiful stuff that ensures a regular calendar of blooms with great variety in size, shape, texture, color, you name it, as well as all kinds of gorgeous bushes, ground cover, etc.

Our problem is that we don't know what we've got (okay: we know about 5%. Yes, we know what a rose bush looks like. And a hydrangea. And a lilac....) But there is so much stuff back there, that I don't really want to take about five or six dozen pictures and haul them somewhere. We'd rather have (hire?) someone to come in and tell us, plant by plant. That way we'll know what we've got and we'll know which ones are weeds.

We'd rather not hire someone that will cost an entire month's pay to do this. But we don't know where to start. (We did hire a lawn "service" and though we're happy with them, even the owner who initially came out said that a lot of stuff was unfamiliar to him.) Can anyone recommend someone who performs this kind of service? We tried getting help from the Evanston Garden Club (or whatever it's called), but they were less than helpful.

Thanks.

We'd rather not hire someone that will cost an entire month's pay to do this. But we don't know where to start. (We did hire a lawn "service" and though we're happy with them, even the owner who initially came out said that a lot of stuff was unfamiliar to him.) Can anyone recommend someone who performs this kind of service?

I'd contact Chalet Nursery were I you. Like, YESTERDAY. We are having a tough year.

There is a wonderful garden club in Evanston. I met a few of the ladies at the farmer's market. I bet they would love to come over and view your garden and help you ID the plants. Membership should be way cheaper than hiring a professional and they can tell you how to take care of your garden.

How about contacting the Cook County office of the University of Illinois extension service? Land grant is their claim to fame, public service is their name. I think you might be able to make an appointment to bring in a bunch of photos and leaf samples to their office and get someone there to help you with identification.

My husband is an avid gardener who is in the process of getting a garden design certificate at the Botanic Garden, and he would get a kick out of seeing how much he could identify for you. Sorry I didn't see this earlier in the season. PM me if you're interested. We're also in Evanston. (Here's a link to his blog -- if you have native perennials, he will know everything. http://Www.gardeninacity.wordpress.com).

I would very much like to post an image of a plant that is in the backyard of my new home, but I have no idea how to post an image.

The plant is viney and bush all at the same time. It's green, but the stalks are turning black. It has legume-like qualities- producing black peapod like things. I'm not sure if it's something that I've done (or not done), but parts of the whole plant are turning black as well.

If someone could let me know how to post a pic, I'd love to show it to you all and see if you have an idea what it might be???

Thanks!

bella54330 wrote:If someone could let me know how to post a pic, I'd love to show it to you all and see if you have an idea what it might be???

Thanks!

From the Reference board:

How-to Crib Sheet for LTH Forum

There are other threads on that board as well.

This is the plant itself. I have noticed that a few weeks after I purchased the home, the stalks and pods began turning black.



This is an image of a pod. I'm pretty sure this isn't anything edible. It hasn't made any type of flower either, but I purchased the home in late June, so there could have been flowers earlier on.

There are 2 bushes, and they have very long vine-like arms that have gotten out of control. I actually wrapped the other plant around some wood in an attempt to trellis is so that it isn't all over the place.

Any ideas what this might be?
Also- thanks to GP for the help posting a pic.