In the last of this series showing different areas of my gardens-in-progress over the 2010 season, here is the front Welcome Garden. After removing a large spruce tree near the front steps in February of 2010 (but don't worry, there are still 4 left!), the garden has opened up a little. This yard is east-facing so closer to the sidewalk is fairly sunny, but closer to the house is shady and very dry due to - the bane of my existence - all the spruce tree roots.
I do not baby this area so I only grow very tough, drought-tolerant plants here. It is also a bit of an experimental area just to see what will do well in these fairly harsh conditions. I keep adding more and more ornamental grasses each year and I'm starting to think of naming my garden "Spruce Meadows." Whaddya think?
Above: by mid-June the grape hyacinths, euphorbia and ornamental alliums are in bloom. Mental note to plant many more hyacinths - they multiply over time and add great spring colour - the hares seem to leave them alone too (unlike tulips!) I think some smaller varieties of ornamental onions would be nice, too. Please note that the area on the left was all new only last year so it is only just starting to fill in. You will also notice that in June I was in the process of mulching the front garden with cedar bark mulch. It's half-finished in this photo. I'm not that happy with the look but fortunately, the colour will darken over time. Also, I was also about to start painting the house trim white to match the new windows when this picture was taken... I still have to finish the back this year!
Above: these photos taken later in June show close-ups of bearded iris, nepeta (catmint) 'Walker's Low', ornamental alliums, shasta daisies, sedum kamtschaticum and achillea 'Moonshine' (which was blooming early because I had just purchased it and planted it that spring.)
Above: In early July, before I went on holidays, the shasta daisies, iris germanica, nepeta and sedum kamtschaticum were still providing a show.
Above: close-ups of spirea 'Goldflame', veronica spicata 'Sunny Border Blue', shasta daisies, campanula glomerata, achillea 'Moonshine', nepeta, some asiatic lilies, and deschampsia (tufted hair grass.) In the top right picture of this collage you will notice some wee little blue fescue plugs I planted last spring - they are planted in an alternating pattern on either side of the front walk and will provide some great texture and continuity once they get bigger (describing the garden is always about how much better it will look in a year or two, isn't it?)
Above: by mid-August, the nepeta is still blooming (love this plant!) plus a few shasta daisies. Also blooming now are the asiatic lilies, daylilies, echinacea, older achillea 'Moonshine', ornamental grasses and teasel. I've added some Dart's Gold ninebark shrubs in front of the spruce tree on the left for more colour, I finished getting rid of the lawn grass once and for all, and if you look closely there's a mound of dirt by the steps where I'm gradually getting things fixed up after the tree removal. Like I keep saying, my garden is a work in progress so please don't judge too harshly!
Above: close-ups in August.
Above: by mid-September the foliage colours are changing - this is actually my favourite time of year for this garden!
Above: some of my favourite plants for fall foliage colour in this garden include: daylilies, euphorbia, spirea 'Gold Flame', ornamental grasses (and note! the nepeta is still blooming!), and of course, the neighbour's cotoneaster hedge across the street which is spectacular!
Above: echinacea and sedum 'Autumn Joy' are still in bloom in mid-October. The gardens are also now mulched with fallen leaves.
Above: the snow hit mid-November last year and this garden's been buried ever since!
From the archives:
- garden planning: front yard garden design
- my favourite plants for a sunny, low maintenance front yard
- how do I get rid of my lawn? (front yard in progress)
- why should I get rid of my lawn?
- what kind of mulch should I use?
Other areas of my garden:
- the Butterfly Potager 2010
- the Back Shade garden 2010
- the Adventure Garden 2010
- "England" (the veggie garden) 2010
If you would like unique, DIY solutions to create your urban paradise, view My Services for consultation details.
Comments