Back Flowerbed Renovations

Our long fall has helped me get some gardening chores done that ordinarily would have been put off until spring. Case in point: the renovation of this back flowerbed.

 

Clear back in August, I bemoaned the lack of attention this bed had gotten.

It was in dire need of help.

So, I first tackled the obvious stuff:

cut back or cleared out the dead plants

and

weeded it all thoroughly--twice

 

Then I turned my attention to the aesthetics of the bed.

 

It was seriously lacking in fall color, so I purchased these 2 mums to fill in on either side of the mockorange. In order for the mums to fit, I had to move some other plants:

namely, the 'Bubbles' dwarf iris and the hardy geraniums on the left and geum 'Prairie Smoke' on the right. Oh yes, there was another plant on the right, at the base of the mockorange, but I can't for the life of me remember what it's called right now. Anyway, that one got moved as well.

'Bubbles' was transplanted amongst the irises out front.

The hardy geranium was likewise moved to the front beds.

 

The 'Prairie Smoke' geum got transplanted down further, next to the A/C unit: the feathery green in front here. I dug up the iris that had landed in front of the rose somehow, and after dividing, had enough rhizomes to put some on each side of this bed and the new flowerbed by the shed, as well.

 

The yellow rose got cut way back. With half of its stems completely dead, I didn't really have a choice. I'm not sure it's going to survive. Only time will tell on that one. 

 

So this is on the other end of the bed, now.

This little spot was getting very overcrowded.

The flowering almond had put on some growth this year, and the rest were doing very well also. So I chopped the geum in half, and moved it further down from the poppy and flowering almond. I also divided the daylily. I wanted more symmetry in this bed, anyway, so I was able to put the other half of the daylily down at the other end of the bed, which put my mind at ease.

The poppy did so well this year that I didn't want to touch it.

From what I've read they can be quite finicky about being moved.

As mentioned, I added a couple of irises along the back wall as well, for height and a pop of purple in the spring. 

 

This corner needed some serious weeding, which I did.

 

I also moved the penstemon with more purple flowers--on the right-- (shown here in June of this year) up to the front flowerbed, leaving the one that was more peachy pink.

 

What else did I do?

Oh yeah.

I spread out the 'Autumn Joy' sedums that were the only thing giving color to this bed this late in the season. There was a big clump right behind the flowering almond. As I mentioned, that shrub has started to fill in, so it was time for those sedums to move.

I planted several in the bare space behind the mockorange.

They'll have to compete with the tulips in the spring, but about July on, they'll have it all to themselves back there.

 

Several bulbs were excavated in the process of all this shuffling around, so I ended up dividing several daffodils and a few tulips and replanting them, as well.

 

I'm happy with how it turned out.

I think I'll be even more happy next year.

 

There's always something to work on in gardening.

I think that's one thing that keeps me coming back to it: playing with the arrangement, the colors and forms, then standing back and watching what happens. Then tinkering with it some more.

Back Flowerbed, Mid-August

 

This, friends, is the face of neglect.

This poor flowerbed needs some attention and has not gotten it for several weeks.

 

I've watered it...occasionally.

It has been hot and smoky and can I whine a little more?

 

This post can serve as my checklist for what needs to happen out there.

 

Still haven't cut off the dead rose branches.

Also some serious weeding needs doing.

More weeding.

Cutting back those dead poppies would also help.

Despite everything, look at this!

My Abraham Darby rose is in bloom again, as are the penstemon and yarrow.

 

In another week or two the sedums will be blooming, which will help spark this area more, as well.

 

Perhaps this week I'll make it out there for a fall tidying-up session.

Then I can post some "after" photos. :)

End of May Views: Irises & Peonies

 

Welcome friends!

I garden in Eastern Washington state, zone 5.

 

Usually there is a lull in my garden around this time of year: the spring bulbs have all finished and the roses have yet to start. This year has been a little different. A warm spring has brought about early roses blooming, and my poppies really stepped it up this year to fill in that gap.

 

Must have more poppies! 

 

p.s. Just heard a loud thunderclap. Guess I won't have to water tomorrow! Yes!

 

Back Flowerbed

Back bed overview, deck looking to fence.

'Yellow Topaz' rose blooming early

I love the scent of these roses, but they shatter so easily that I don't try to pick them any more.

Mockorange starting to open up.

Back bed overview, looking toward deck.

These penstemon right in front are bee magnets!

They are always humming every time I walk by.

I haven't seen any hummingbirds sipping from them, though I've heard they attractive to hummingbirds. Maybe I don't have enough planted.

The poppies always look really orange in pictures.

In person they're more of a peachy pink.

Either way I'm loving them!

 

Back Slope

For anyone new here, my back slope has terraced vegetable garden beds, then the rest is pretty much weedy grass, some wildflowers, and aspen trees.

These geraniums are not wild--I moved them from the back bed after we moved here a few years back. They are thriving in the dry shade on this side of the slope.

I don't even pick out the long weed grass that comes up between them anymore.

Or the dandelions, as you can see.

Wild daisies and lupines.

Isn't this one pretty?

I think my wild lupines back here are hybridizing.

I've never seen a bicolor like this one blooming back here before.

I just planted several pink ones, hoping that they will be able to live in the clay soil like their wild counterparts. (And also hoping to get some more hybrids!)

 

East-side Terrace

 

Ninebark blooms.

I didn't realize that this pretty little shrub would bloom. Bonus!

 

 Front Terraced Flowerbeds

Have you noticed how everything is terraced?

Welcome to my world!

 

The potentilla in front is always a pretty little accent to the stars of the show: the irises!

I added the alliums last summer, so I'm glad to see them blooming.

Not sure what variety they are, since they were a pass-along.

Peonies in back: 'Top Brass' (the white) and 'Paula Fay' (pink).

The white ones smell exquisite, while the scent of the pink is faintly reminiscent of a rotten potato.

Up front, the pink salvia is a volunteer from the other side of the flowerbed! 

The purple doesn't seem to mind so I'm leaving it for now.

 

Close-up of the 'Top Brass' peony.

This flower is sort of funny-looking, and I mean that in the nicest way.

White skirt, poofy yellow middle, then that awesomely ridiculous little fluff of pink on the very top. It's like a cupcake decorated by a 3 year old!

It makes me smile every time I see it!

Geranium 'Rozanne' (I think)

Front corner.

 

Now for those gorgeous irises!

 

 

More of the alliums I put in last summer.

I just love these flowers!

 

I'm not sure which variety of iris these little white ones are.

They were also a pass-along, so if you know, do tell!

{sigh}

Love it.

 

Street view.

'Rose Glow' barberry adding some color to this part of the terrace.

 

Columbine, wild daisies (yes, in my flowerbed!), and the sorbaria playing so well together.

 

Front Porch Bed 

 

 Last but not least, I've been enjoying the subtler colors and patterns of this little flowerbed, whenever I can tear my eyes away from the irises, that is!

 

Heuchera and euonymous

 

spirea in bloom

I like how the white on green echoes the foliage of the euonymous right now.

No, I did not get the both in the same picture.

Next time!

 

Thanks for taking a look around with me!

Check out other gardens at: The Patient Gardener

I hope to hear from you again soon!

Flowerbed Tour: Back

June 4:

 

Overview from gate side to deck.

Penstemon and the poppy show up.

Overall overview.

Again, a few splashes of color, and the rose is blooming.

I think I need to add something that will make more of a bold statement back here.

Anything pastel at all fades into that blue.

Also, a climbing rose or something similar on the left end would balance it out a bit more.

This rose bush is simply lovely in bloom.

Shape is a little odd, but I can continue to work on pruning as we go.

Check out these penstemon!

They're going for broke!

One perfect poppy.

 * Love ! *

(Those are the geums in the background.)

 

 

 

Flowerbed Tour: Back

May 5:

 

Those tulips are so beautiful.

{sigh}

 

Overview from the deck-side.

...and from the gate towards the deck, complete with dead rose bush on the left.

 

Mockorange, surrounded by tulips.

 

May 23:

 

Overview

End of May is a lag time for this bed, without the big purple irises.

Tulips are done, mockorange and rose have yet to bloom.

I may have to do something about that.

 

'Yellow Topaz' rose.

Lots of buds--it should be gorgeous in another week or so.

Plus, see that one random iris in front?

I swear I did not plant that there.

It will have to be moved. 

 

Geum 'Totally Tangerine' is picking up the slack down on the far end of the bed.

Plus, poppy buds! (right side)

This dwarf pink iris 'Bubbles' has been a welcome addition.

 

The lipstick pink penstemon is going crazy this year!

I have 2 varieties planted, and they are both covered in blossoms.

 

Overview from the gate-side down.

Full, just not much blooming at the moment.