the front entry garden in progress

It ain't a pretty picture, but I thought I should at least show you what I've been up to these last few weeks as I've been neglecting this blog!  Apologies, by the way!

Taking down two gigantic spruce trees leaves one with a BIG, MESSY area to deal with, not to mention I'm still removing red shale mulch (the bane of my existence) from this area. But things are starting to come together in a few spots.  I really wanted to get the majority of my planting done in May so that everything would have plenty of time to start filling in this summer (I hope to get to actually putting a patio in later this summer, too!)

I know it doesn't look like much yet, but once my neighbour's dogwoods leaf out, once the plants get a little larger, once I put some down some compost for mulch (I already put some in each planting hole) so that the soil doesn't look light brown from all the wood shavings left from taking down the trees, I promise you, it will be better!  Oh, and BTW, the bamboo teepees are to keep the hares away from a few choice plants until the plants are big enough to handle a little munching. 

The colour scheme for this garden will be primarily, red, orange, white and blue.  Plants have to like sun, be hardy and drought-tolerant, and generally not need to be fussed over.  Things planted so far:

• echinops ritro (globe thistle) - new
• helictotrichon sempervirens (blue oat grass) - new
• veronica gentianoides 'Barbara Sherwood' - new
• lychnis chalcedonica (maltese cross) - new
• hemerocallis (daylily) 'Strawberry Candy' - new
• common mullein - existing
• achillea (yarrow) 'Paprika' - existing
• white peony - existing
• bearded iris - existing
• rhubarb - existing
• iceland poppy 'Solar Fire' - from seed
• linum perenne lewisii (blue flax) - from seed
• annual white lavatera 'Mont Blanc' - from seed
• annual echium vulgare 'Blue Bedder' - from seed

 Here are some more notes on how I designed the garden.

Comments

[2catsandapencil]

I really like the the look of the teepees you created to keep the hares away - much better aesthetic than wire mesh collars and fencing. Looking forward to seeing pictures of this area later on this summer/fall when plants have settled into their places.

[Calgary Garden Coach]

Actually, I put out the teepees primarily because they're quick and easy, but I agree, they also look nicer! I am looking forward to seeing this area fill in myself - the reality doesn't quite match the image in my mind just yet! ;-)
Cheers,
Janice