Dreaming for Next Year
Forum Archives
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor
Posted: Dec-14-2004 at 8:57pm
The Bluestone Perennial catalog arrived in the mail today, and I've already started making selections for the flowerbed island I want to put in the back yard. For the time being, I am refusing to think about the digging and hauling of dirt it will take, and just thinking about the beautiful flowers I will have when it's done. Rudbeckia, Helianthus, Penstemon . . . perhaps an ornamental grass or 2 (I've begun to appreciate those, and I don't seem to be as allergic to the ornamentals as to the Pampas grass or the seed grasses grown in the Willamette Valley.)
I've decided that the side of the garage can be devoted solely to Salvias. Right now, it's a variety of perennials, some of which are not doing well with the southern exposure and poor soil. The 4 Salvias, though, are thriving. Might as will stick with a sure thing!
The front yard is still a work in progress. Next year, the holly tree WILL come out, if I have to hire someone to take it down. (No more excuses, DH!) Once the bulbs come up, I'll have a better idea of what perennials I want to put in there around them.
So . . . I guess I may have to order about 3 of everything. That seems reasonable, don't you think?
Barb
JeanneK
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Dec-15-2004 at 7:46am
Of course, 3 of everything. LOL. Don't the garden experts suggest you design and plant in odd numbers, 3's , 5's etc.?
Jeanne
Screaming Eagle
Location: Puget Sound corridor
Posted: Dec-15-2004 at 8:54am
I think you are going to have to have a Rainyside Garden tour of your yard someday, Garden Spider! I'm just dying to see it. Or next best thing, post some picutres!
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Dec-15-2004 at 4:06pm
3, 5, I think after 5 it doesn't matter as it gets to be one big drift and hard for the eye to see if its even or not, unless you planted a more formal look. Then you want even numbers.
Salvia Guy will love to read about your plans. Only thing I would worry about with a monocrop is disease and pests. Perhaps mixing in a few evergreen small shrubs that like the same conditions might be nice too? Or not, your plan sounds lovely! I'm with Theresa, post pics!
Wanda
Location: Puget Sound corridor
Posted: Dec-15-2004 at 7:10pm
I agree - 3 of everything! Oh, and we'll see you at the next plant swap, right, with all the babies! Ha, ha, ha - see how we enable you and why? Seriously, it all sounds wonderful. Yes, pictures, please.
-Wanda
JeanneK
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Dec-16-2004 at 8:18am
Ah, yes, the beauty of plant swaps! Now the truth is out, Wanda.LOL.
I've been drooling over the Cistus plant list and also checking out the Plants Delights catalog. That is one funny catalog! I haven't bought anything from them because 1. they are tad expensive and 2. I like to check out, er drool over the plants before I buy! Cistus, of course is an every couple of months trip!
Jeanne
Garden Spider
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor
Posted: Dec-16-2004 at 9:48pm
Originally posted by Screaming Eagle I think you are going to have to have a Rainyside Garden tour of your yard someday, Garden Spider! I'm just dying to see it. Or next best thing, post some picutres!
LOL, my garden isn't worth touring! Seriously, it is nothing spectacular or special, as everything in it is very common (especially the weeds). It is definately looking better than it did a few years ago, though. I wish I could plan better, but somehow when I get to a nursery with a shopping list, there are always some plants NOT on the list that just follow me home. And then, of course, I have to find room for the poor little things, and they just get tucked in willy-nilly here and there. And then, somehow, the Grand Design doesn't quite look the way it was originally intended to look. There are times when I'm tempted to just hire a landscaper, and let someone else do it, just to have something resembling order! That's not nearly as much fun, though.
Debbie, thanks for reminding me about the dangers of monocrops--I had forgotten about the risks of pests and diseases. I do have some perennials in there that are doing well, so I guess I will leave those for variety, and just take out the ones that aren't doing well.
Sydnie
Location: Western Washington
Posted: Dec-17-2004 at 7:27pm
Barb: My yard is willy-nilly, too. But then again I'm a bit willy-nilly. LOL The only time I want it any different is when I see people with nicely mantained, neat, oh so weedless yards. LOL I just figure I got that english garden wild look going. You sound like you got that too? Mine isn't finished... always new being added, but I'm going to stop that. I'd bet your garden is just wonderful. LOL>> Hard to think it's wonderful when you know what is left to do>???? LOL
I would like to start all over, but not put in another 10 yrs of work- so that's out. I finally got so I would get rid of plants even if it meant throwing it in the mulch bin. Stuff I hated, stuff that was given to me & and stuff that I actually pd money for>>> and that has helped a whole lot. My plan is to get to the things I really like and concentrate on them. Gardeners love any and all gardens !!! I don't think I'm mistaken about that one. I'm with Theresa post photos!!! I wanna see.
Yes SPRING is on the way. Yaaaaaaaaaa!!! (Three of each is conservative. LOL & LOL@Wanda I'm with her on the swap thing.) Happy shopping. I'm not 'allowing myself' to buy this year. ?? LOL)
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton