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. :)

Back Flowerbed Musical Chairs

Back Flowerbed, 1 year ago:

 

Wow, the house looks really blue in this picture.

It's somewhere between this color and the washed out blue, below.

 

Back Flowerbed, 1 month ago:

 



So, with all the renovations and additions going on out front, it's only fair that the back got a little love, too. Plus, it was needed.

 

You'll have to excuse the dirt & weeds in place of a lawn.

Hoping to get that re-graded, re-seeded and actually green.

But it might not happen until next year, at this point.

 

Overall plan:

* replace the rose bush that got moved up front

* center flowering almond under the window

* clump together Asiatic lilies

*move smaller plants as needed to fill in

*dig up all raspberry starts and move to raspberry bed

 

What this flowerbed has needed all along is height.

Slowly but surely, we are getting there.

The flowering almond, mockorange, and yellow 'Topaz' rose all at least doubled in height this year.

My current color scheme back here is peachy oranges and pinks, with some yellow and deeper shades of orange and pink too.

To be frank, sometimes it all seems to wash out against the blue of the house.

I'm going to give it another year to see how it goes.

I may end up going more toward stronger colors back here, just for visibility, or who knows, we may paint the house. (Neither of us loves the blue!)

New rose bush: Weeks rose: 'What a Peach'

This is the rose bush that replaced my 'Watercolors' rose.

Small, abundant double blooms.

Here's hoping this one does better than the last!

 

I also put all the Asiatic lilies together, as you can see.

I had them spread out along the house, but I think they will make much more impact in one smaller section.

Not very visible here are the white peony transplants from VW Garden.

I'm hoping they'll grow up "big and strong" next year, and fill in this big empty space.

 

Somewhere in here are several tulips, as well.

I moved the potentilla up front and moved the flowering almond over by about 2 feet, to center it under the window. Should have done that to begin with--it's bugged me ever since I planted it!

 

 



 Last spring, I planted sedums and portulaca in the bone-dry strip right along the house.

So far both have been thriving.

More Asiatic lilies clumped up.

All the tall purple irises are gone now: some moved up front, and the rest given away.

These irises are miniature pink 'Bubbles' from VW Garden.

I'm excited to see them bloom next year.

In front is a Geum 'Totally Tangerine.'

This is a new spot for it, as well.

My daylilies (Hall's pink) and poppy (Papaver orientale 'Victoria Louise') in front stayed in the same spots.

 

This rose is holding on to some late blooms, even after 3-4 nights of frost.

I'm not complaining!

I moved the Asiatic lilies out from behind it, as well. Since the rose has tripled in size this year, you could no longer see them.

I also plan to move some of the mini daffodil bulbs from directly in front of it--same reason.

It's a sprawler, and it's taking up the space right where they'll be coming up.

I left the a 2nd geum between the mockorange and yellow rose, along with Veronica spicata, or Speedwell 'Inspire'.
 

Once I get my bulb order in, and a few more bulbs planted back here, it'll be time for mulch and the long winter's sleep. My guess is 4 weeks to snow (if it's the same as last year.)

Container Goodness

We're due for an update on the flowerpot status.

 

These give me a little shot of "happy" every time I see them--which is often, as they are at both entrances to my home.

 

#1: Round Blue

I could have sworn I had only 2 colors (the purples) planted in here.

Not that I mind the pink.

They are spilling over and I'm loving it!

#2: Big Green

More petunias going for broke.

The mix between them and the verbena: luscious.

The tall dianthus no longer look so tall with everything else billowing up, but it is still fun to see those little pink faces popping up here and there.

 #3: Blue Boat

 

#3 again

Hello, photobomber child!

The sedums in front and back are holding their own, but are soon to be hidden by the petunia extravaganza.

 

#4: Tall Blue

 

Respectable.

Not as filled in as the rest, but still easy on the eyes.

I'm liking the carnations, just wish they would fill in a bit more.

Lobelia just got sheared back, so it's pretty much non-existent in this shot.

 

Overall, I'm still liking these far better than last year's attempts.

I love petunias, what can I say?
 

Flower Pots Planted

I did some experimenting last year with my flower pots, and for the most part, it was unsucessful. I wasn't very happy with any of the pots, really.

So...back to the drawing board this time around.

 

Also, I bought 2 new pots this spring. Yippee!

 

Hi, my name is Linnae and I'm addicted to blue pots.

I'm kind of wishing I had a few more, actually, but I'm trying to pace myself.

I do have one green pot that was given to me, but every one I've purchased is blue.

 

Cool or warm flower colors look great against the blue. 

They bring a little pop of color on the porch or deck.

Blue pots + me = BFF's

 

Anyway, yes.

Here's what I came up with:

 

Tall Blue Pot

Dusty miller (never used this before, but I'm liking how it plays off the pinks)

Pale pink petunias

Pink carnations

mixed purple/white lobelia

 

side view

This pot will end up on our front porch.

 

Green Pot

Tall dianthus, purple verbena, purple wave petunias, and vinca

 

 I like how tall those dianthus are.

Plus, some of the stems have started leaning over the edge of the pot in a charming way.

 

I've actually never tried perennials in my pots before.

Don't know why.

I'm sure I can find someplace to tuck them into my flowerbeds this fall.

 

Blue Boat

Hen and chicks (2 varieties), purple wave petunias, and Wee Willie dianthus.

The dianthus have since died. Already!

I haven't replaced them with anything yet.

 

I had envisioned this one chock full of sedums, but I couldn't help tucking in the petunias as well.

This will probably be moved up to the front, as well.

 

Round Blue Pot

Dusty miller, surrounded by purple wave petunias, and purple/white wave petunias. 

 

I didn't even wash off the edges or the leaves before I took these photos.

There was a wild and crazy windstorm going on at the time.

I was hustling just to get everything planted before the rain started.

You can see how wet the deck was already!

Literally minutes afer I came inside it was pouring rain.

 

I already enjoy these pots, just planted, more than I did last year's.

Every time I look out our back door they bring a smile to my face.

I'm hoping in another month they will be all filled in and look even better!

 

Kind Neighbor

Our next door neighbor is selling their house. She knows all about plants and planting. Guess what she's giving me?!

Already, several sedum starts (hooray), and some lavender starts. Also, bachelor button starts, with pretty purple blooms and those fancy-looking buds. And a purple coneflower from one of her planters (I think it will go in the front flowerbed, next to the one on the far right that's all alone currently), and a fern if I want it. And some mint and marjoram. Oh yeah, and a hellebore. Possibly some campanula (bellflower) and wild geranium (?) I think.  I am loving it! She is so gracious about it, too. She compliments my flowerbed, and says I can just come dig up what I want of these things she has shown me.

And she knows the names of lots of the weeds/plants I've been trying to identify lately.

Awesome!

Peonies

This is actually a photo from last week.  This is the peony I transplanted last fall, next to the sedum.

One bending bloom, next to some vigorous purple cone flower plants.

This is the biggest bush.  It has several more buds coming.

Hi Jacob!

Aren't these gorgeous?  It's so ironic that I chose this one to transplant, not knowing what color the blooms would be (it didn't have any flowers on it at all last year.) All the other peonies in the bed I took it from are the scarlet red color you see, above.  Perhaps it was just too shy to bloom in the other bed!

Garden Tour

Remember this flowerbed from last fall? 

Left to right: hyacinths, sedum, transplanted peony

The little white fence is to keep Diamond out of there--she had been using the mulch as a bed before the spring flowers had grown in.

Daffodils are starting to fade now--looking a little ragged around the edges.

The lovely, understated snow-drop.

Resident of the wood pile. 

There was a baby garter snake that Jacob and I saw in there as well, but I haven't seen it since.  It may have met an untimely demise.

Autumn color

Sedum, 'Autumn Joy'

These are "before" shots without the afters, so please don't mind the multitude of weeds surrounding this lovely plant. I'm working on it! The flowers started off pale pink, and it attracted flies, bees, moths, and all kinds of buzzing bugs. Now it's this lovely sunset red color, and the bugs are gone.
Once I've finished the weeding, I plan to move the peony that's crowding the rose bush over next to it (so maybe next year there won't be quite so many weeds to contend with!). So we will have a late spring show and late fall. Maybe I can also put in some annuals in the front for summer color--add a few daffodils or tulips on the other side of the bed and we'd be set for all four seasons!
This is the first time I've planted sedum, and I like it so far.