Last October, I wrote about my so called 'Accidental' Flowerbed. It's time to show its progress since that time.
For starters, a couple of pictures from September 2009, when I finally decided to turn a pile of dirt into a plant bed.
For starters, a couple of pictures from September 2009, when I finally decided to turn a pile of dirt into a plant bed.
September 2009:
Marking location for Ligularia and grasses:
Next picture, six months later, April 2010:
Plants are limited by grasses, Ligularias, Alliums and Heucheras
May 2010:
Blooming Bowles' Golden grass (Milium effusum 'Aureum') and Heucheras took center stage
Angelina Stonecrop starts to cover the soil
June 2010:
July 2010:
Alliums and more Heucheras opened their buds
One year later, May 2011
June 2011:
Japanese maple and ferns were added in fall 2010. Groundcovers and mosses are spreading. Volunteer Foxglove has grown huge in the middle of Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'.
July 2011
A view from above:
Hostas with their variegated leaves really add nice accents to the bed. Among the varieties is Hosta undulata 'Albo marginata'
Blooming grass is Bowles' Golden grass (Milium effusum 'Aureum')
White-flowering Tradescantia loves this place
August 2011:
Ligularia and Echinacea 'Milkshake' are both long bloomers
Current look, September 2011:
Knock Out rose on the right and zonal geranium on the left brighten the bed with their last blooms
The bed is filled with plants. Not shown here, but present are: Brunnera Jack Frost, Euphorbia and several tiny shrubs of Hydrangea and Euonymus 'Canadale Gold'. I use this bed for hosting plants and their divisions taken from other parts of my garden. The last addition is a little purple Cotinus, Smoke bush
All in all, I am pleased with this accidental bed. The only frustration is the roots of the trees growing nearby on the border with neighbors. Whenever I dig a new planting hole, I encounter not only a thick mat of feeder roots but also long thick woody roots. I believe that is why the plants in this bed dodn't grow as well as they could. Some of them are slow growers.
***Copyright 2011 TatyanaS
It's so nice to see the before and after! The garden looks beautiful - I especially like how the variegated hosta leaves really brighten everything up. Those alliums are really cute, too!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing transformation. I love when we get to see the process. The heuchera and alliums together are a wonderful combination. I am developing a love of alliums! That garden is stunning. I should have such an "accident"!
ReplyDeleteHi Tatyana,
ReplyDeleteWow, has it really been two years since I remember seeing you post about your making the soil into a proper border? Time sure can fly!
I'd imagine the plants are struggling with the large tress and no doubt they're taking most of the water too.
Wow, what a difference a little time and TLC does for a garden. You've really created a bit of loveliness and it will only get better. It is always neat to look at before, during and after pictures.
ReplyDeleteFlowerLady
Tatyana, job well done, I love this bed! The plants that you have chosen go very well with each other. I especially like the heucheras, the enchinacea 'Milkshake', and the white tradescantia. The sphere shaped sculpture looks gorgeous and gives the bed something special that draws your attention in! I know that growing plants in a tree root competition situation can be quite a struggle, but your photos are not showing that the plants are suffering. I always try to compensate my plants living in similar situations (only here it is palm roots instead of tree roots ;-)), with lots of water, organic fertilizer, and mulch!
ReplyDeleteChristina
Accidently on purpose I suppose.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you documented its progress through photos. It really has developed to blend in so well with the bed behind it.
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderful! It would be hard to know that the plants are fighting with roots - they look big and beautiful to me! Loved seeing the before, during, and after sequences.
ReplyDeleteWow, it is amazing how quickly plants fill in, looks wonderful. We don't always think how large plantings are going to become. I am trying hard to remember this as I plan a layered garden.
ReplyDeleteEileen
This turned into a happy accident. It looks really pretty and is nice to see the transformation. My Ligularias were eaten to the ground this year by the slugs :(
ReplyDeleteI remember when you started this accidental garden. It has come a long way and looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteLovely planting, 'accidental' or not. Love the use of Bowles grass.
ReplyDeleteIt really has flourished since you made the bed. I love the Golden grass. You have so many plants in this shady bed. The Ligularias are just gorgeous in bloom.
ReplyDeleteI have the same problem in my front shade bed. Every time I try to dig that perfect spot for a plant or bulb a root from the maple tree is in the way. LOL!
Beautiful garden! It's amazing how easy it is to grow anything in the pacific northwest!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lush green space you have, Tatyana. It's great to see how the border has evolved and everything looks very healthy. Most people who grow ligularia also have the leaves eaten by slugs!
ReplyDeleteI love big transformation pix and this is quite a story. Job well done. And I love your garden art placed just beautifully.
ReplyDeleteLove the before and after pictures, the plants have made great progress. Beautiful really.
ReplyDeleteDo you have an issue with it being dry? I planted under a tree, it's my shade garden but it gets dry.
Hello Tatjana,
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to see a bloombed growing.
Warm wishes Marijke
Да, Танюша, кропотливый труд, но какие сногсшибательные результаты!:)
ReplyDeletecolor and magic spring forth and on my birthday too !!sandy
ReplyDelete