My front yard perennial border has officially been cleared. Cleared of plant material, that it. Well, except for one gigantic vintage poppy. I knew if I dug it up to move it that we wouldn't get it's orange papery blooms, so I left it. We'll just have to work around it.
Let's go back in time and show you the ugliness that is that perennial bed.
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| Ok, so this one isn't ugly. This is the front bed I pulled out in bloom in May. The ONLY time it looks nice is MAY! |
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| Giant hosta "Guacamole" grows about 4 feet across and was placed at the front of the border, between the two windows. Not the best place to highlight this specimen. |
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| The front bed, after I'd pulled out 75% of the plants. The large rocks were dug out by my husband. Smaller rocks were piled up along side the house. |
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| Side view after 75% of plant material removed. |
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Removed everything but the poppy. Bed is partially levelled. It had been sloping severely toward the house. Using old hose to outline the new perimeter of the bed.
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| View looking along north side of house. There are two a/c compressors there. Whatever landscaping I do will continue along the north side. You can see my "Guacamole" hosta all split into a LOT of pots & lined up against the house. |
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View from the front porch. Root ball from the arborvitae (cedar) can be seen near the front edge of the bed. The hose is laid out in the new perimeter, waiting to be dug. I've partially levelled that bed-it's going to take the strong back of a certain 14 year old to finish that job. Why yes, I did enlarge that bed. Shocking!
And here's a couple of ideas as to what I'd like to have happen in my new cottage garden. This first one is the main inspiration. Obviously, I'll need more plants as my new cottage garden is huge.
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This really shows the look I'm going for:
I'm open to plant suggestions and ideas. Please---help!!
I want to do the same thing! That's a perfect spot to incorporate your herbs with the hot westerly sun. i really love mine out there. A great way to start spreading the food garden into the front yard. ;) I won't suggest too many bulbs after hearing the crocus story. :giggle: Hollyhocks, delphiniums, some hydrangeas do well in sun, snapdragons, lavender, butterfly bush, balloon flowers, ornamental grasses, a clematis trellis (Princess Diana is gorgeous), and foxgloves are a few in my garden or on my wish list. I can't wait to see what you come up with!
ReplyDeleteWow! I love your inspiration garden! I have no advice for you - my new garden is still on the to-do list. Sigh. Maybe next year!
ReplyDeleteWell it looks like you've done most of the hard, back-breaking work! The designing and planting should then be a pleasure. IT always helps to physically set out the pots of plants and look - they are easy to move around in new arrangements. Good luck. I love Cottage-style gardens!
ReplyDeleteYou have quite a few great ideas for your new perennial garden. How exciting to be starting over and trying out new plants! I can't wait to see the end results.
ReplyDeleteHow fun to have a new "blank slate" out in the garden to play with! You have some lovely ideas, and I am a big fan of the cottage garden look. One item I read in a landscaping book by Ann Lovejoy was to consider adding 1/3 evergreen plants, 1/3 deciduous plants, and 1/3 ephemeral plants (bulbs, annuals--things that last one season) to end up with a border that looks nice for most of the year. I look forward to seeing the completed bed!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you made a great start! Can't wait to see how it unfolds.
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