the back Shade Garden, 2009 reflections

 

I've been reflecting on my garden's performance this year - what changes worked this year and what still needs to be changed.  So here's another area of my garden.  It needs a little help in spots!  Thanks to the tree smack dab in the middle of it, plus the shade of the garage and a nearby spruce tree, this area is very dry and extremely dark.  There's not a lot of plants that will thrive here and I did want a spot to put some hostas, so I do confess to adding a little extra water to this area once in a while. 

The garden immediately beside (to the north of) the garage is in its third year, and the area on the other side of the path is both original (the patch of bergenia was there when I moved in) and brand new (we re-built the wall this summer and everything behind it was planted in September).

The back Shade Garden (year 1-3+)

 

Early June.  Besides the big patch of bergenia, there's some yellow leopard's bane and a lonely red tulip in bloom on the far side of this garden.  Eww- check out that ugly retaining wall!  I'm so glad we finally replaced that this year.

 

Late June.  Some anemone sylvestris, dwarf bearded iris, orange geums and pink bleeding hearts are now also blooming.  The geums have never been very spectacular and I'm considering getting rid of them...  As difficult as it is to get rid of a plant, I must try to be ruthless!  The bleeding heart is new and I hope it will be bigger next year, but I'm not sure it gets enough light or moisture there.  I'll give it another year and then see.

Early July.  Heucheras and columbine now in bloom.

Late July.  Columbine and heuchera still blooming; goat's beard now in bloom too.  Gotta fill in those bare spots at the front of the third picture... trusty old lamium might be the way to go.

 

  Early August.  The ligularia also does not get very big due to the lack of moisture here, but I do like the yellow flowers against the blue background. 

 

Late August.  The wall is done!  Well, almost.

Early September.  Astilbe and hostas now in bloom.  I sure like that new trellis on the garage wall and I'm hoping to grow a clematis tangutica up there.  I know it will grow in shade, but this is very shady shade so it will be a bit of an experiment.  I do like how the trellis is framed by the ornamental grass in the top 2 views.  But I think I'm going to have to paint that electrical meter blue; it is just too ugly!  And in the bottom photo, there are new plants in behind the retaining wall.

Late September.

Early October.

December.

Other parts of the garden:

• the front Welcome Garden, north side
• the front Welcome Garden, south side
  
• the front Entry Garden
  
• the front Shade Garden
• the Side Garden
  
• the Butterfly Potager
  
• the Adventure Garden
  
• the Veggie Garden aka 'England'

Comments

[The Ms. S.]

I remember when you first put up that new wall - what a difference it makes!

I really like the ferns and think they will look spectacular as they fill in.

[Janice Miller-Young]

Thanks!  Yes, I remember too.  How could I forget?  What a lot of work!  Its nice to remember the things you already have finished once in a while, rather than just focusing on the so many things you still want to get done... isnt it?  Gardening is definitely not about instant gratification...
Janice

[Driveway Iron Gates]

It is a nice blog. Yes you have written good things here about garden. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading.I will keep visiting this blog very often. And yes here is
somthing for gate and fencing of your garden.http://www.fencing-and-gates.co.uk/ check this link.