Here's part 3 of my 2009 garden reflections. To view them in order, please click here.
The front Entry Garden (year 6)
Yes that's right, I said year 6. I almost hesitate to post these pictures because this is definitely not the most thriving area of my garden... See, I'm not perfect! Although I have tried to restrict the plants in this garden to those that are very drought-tolerant, these plants still have not thrived. This garden just doesn't look like it's made up of 6-year-old, healthy plants, does it? They don't get enough sun, for one thing. But the main problem is that there are 5 giant spruce trees around the perimeter of my front yard and this poor little garden is smack dab in the middle of them. The spruce roots not only hog the water but they also hog a lot of the nutrients.
I am hoping to remedy this by taking down one of the trees this winter (for my initial plea, click here.) If this garden doesn't start to take off next year, there will be some serious renovation happening...
Oh, and by the way, I haven't taken care of the grass in this yard since I moved in. I was hoping it would just die on its own (due to the trees, again) but little tufts of it still survive and look pathetic. Next year it's getting covered with a nice bark mulch.
OK, enough excuses for the ugliness. Here goes:
This garden when I first dug it up just after I moved in summer 2004.
Mid-June. Anemone sylvestris in bloom; chives about to bloom.
Late June. Iris germanica, anemone sylvestris, chives, and pink perennial geranium in bloom. I do like those chartreuse-coloured spirea 'Goldmound' that book-end this garden. If only they were bigger... And gawd! Take those Christmas lights down already!
Mid-July. It looks much better when you get down to ground level so you don't notice all the bare soil between plants, doesn't it? As I said, I'm hoping plants start to take off next year with one less spruce tree's worth of roots in the ground. Peachleaf bellflower, spirea 'Goldmound', purple chives, blue flax, and clary sage in bloom here.
Late July. Peachleaf bellflower, asiatic lilies, dwarf shasta daisy and clary sage in bloom. I think I'd like to get some more daisies.
Late July. Lilies, clary sage and daisies still in bloom. That's hydrangea 'Annabelle' in bloom at the back of the photo in front of the brick. I divided it this spring and spread some smaller pieces around so that there will eventually be a hedge of hydrangea in front of the house. It should look lovely in about 5 more years...
Late August. Annabelle hydrangea still in bloom; pink monarda adds to the picture now. There's some purple monkshood beside the steps too, but you can't really see it in this photo.
Mid-September. I took the bug-ridden virginia creeper vine down off the chimney. It just didn't get enough sun to look good. I've replaced it with some spring-blooming clematis that should show up well next year, but unfortunately won't get as tall. Hmm, still need another vine here...
Early October. There's one lonely purple liatris spike sticking up here - I'll have to add more next year!
Ewww. After reviewing these pictures I am more embarrassed than ever to post them.
Other parts of the garden:
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