Front yard corner tree bed 2019

Under the big tree in front of the spare bedroom window is a big tree with not much going on underneath it except weeds.

The previous owner put black plastic down around the tree and then covered that with rocks.

I want to move all those rocks and pull up the black plastic and create a shade garden bed here. I think it would be pretty but also would be better for the tree to have that plastic off its roots.

I have been poking holes in the plastic and sticking some plants in.  The large plant right up front is a bleeding heart that I planted I think 2 years ago, and it has thrived in this shady spot.

 There is the bleeding heart right up front.

Here is it from the side. The downspout is off because it is clogged with leaves and I need to knock them out of there!

Today I started the big job of trimming the tree and trimming the overgrown yew bush which is right next to it.

A wheelbarrow full of branch trimmings!

Already there is a lot more light under that tree.  I will add some pictures here once the yew is fully trimmed and I have weeded the rocky area.  Maybe I can even get to moving the rocks and pulling up the plastic this week... possibly!