MySecretGarden

U.S.A., Washington State. USDA zone 8b. Sunset climate zone 5

Front Plant Bed at Its Best in 2018


I'd like to share the views of my Front Plant Bed that I think was in its best shape ever last gardening season. And, I know exactly what gave this plant bed its luscious, best ever look.
Of course, many plants reached substantial size and several new important plants have been added (among them, Japanese maple 'Autumn Moon' and Hydrangea 'Oregon Pride').
But, there were two more important elements which I added to this central bed in 2018.

First, one of my potted Red Banana plants (Abyssinian bananas, Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii') was placed here.
Starting from the spring when I got it out of the garage, tall Red Banana instantly added dramatic effect to the Plant Bed. In summer, when it unfurled its gorgeous dark leaves, it became a star of the Front Garden. What a gorgeous architectural plant it is!

Second, several containers with annuals were placed in the front of the Plant Bed. What's important, those were relatively tall containers, which allowed their flowers to 'float' and fill otherwise empty or dark spaces. For two of these tall pots, I bought hanging baskets and just plopped them into the pots (instant gratification!). From afar, the pots are almost invisible and the flowers look suspended in the air.

Only the central front bed is shown in this post, but the second Banana plant and several identical pots were located  further to the right, on the opposite side of the driveway. It provided a sense of unity and rhythm to the entire front garden.



Abyssinian Banana, big bush of Hydrangea macrophilla 'Oregon Pride', Phormium (New Zealand Flax) and Japanese Maple 'Autumn Moon' are striking plants defining the look of this Plant Bed


It's difficult to overestimate the impact of the Hydrangea macrophylla 'Oregon Pride' in this Plant Bed. 
It's not just the large bright flowerheads that can differ in color on the same bush, but its big leaves and striking burgundy stems that attract attention. 


Click below to read more



 Another important plant that added interest to this Plant Bed was Senecio candicans 'Angel Wings'.
 It was sitting in the same pot as the Abyssinian Banana.  July.

In this May picture, you can see two hanging baskets sitting on the top of tall containers with hooks still attached. Baskets' hooks could be taken off the baskets or hidden among the plants. 

Blooming annuals in containers provided color to this Plant Bed even when almost nothing was blooming here. May.

Rose floribunda 'Regensberg'

Poppies, Penstemon 'Red Rocks', Lilies, Roses 'Mr. Lincoln' and floribunda 'Regensberg', Liatris 'Kobold', Chives, Eremurus,  Rose campion, Fuchsia 'Dollar Princess',  Digitalis purpurea, are among perennials growing in the Front Plant Bed.

  I just recently introduced Rose campion (Lychnis coronaria) to the Front Garden. Its vividly colored flowers seemed to be too bright to me, but now I appreciate not only its flowers, but also its bushy, multi-stem structure. A single plant of Rose campion can perk up a dark spot in a bed.

 My Abyssinian Bananas have already been overwintered four times in the garage.

 Hydrangea 'Oregon Pride' looks good next to a purple-leaf Japanese maple.

 Bigger plants in this picture are from left to right:  Sungold Thread-branch Cypress, Japanese maple 'Autumn Moon', 'Canadale Gold', Privet (Ligustrum)

Several more pictures:

 Two turquoise pots frame the way toward the central entrance of the house.  April.

The same view. End of June

  Abyssinian Banana plant just got out of the garage with its only leaf. April.



Lilies. June

 End of July

August

Hopefully, I can repeat the look of the Front Plant Bed in 2019.

***Copyright 2019 TatyanaS

28 comments:

  1. Your garden is full of wonderful plants and so well planned with the arrangement of handsome leaves and colors. I like how your two turquoise pots are on wheels.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Terra!
      Plant stands on wheels are very helpful (I just wish those wheels were stronger!).

      Delete
  2. This bed was absolutely stunning last year, I too hope you can repeat its glory! The combo of Senecio 'Angel Wings' and red Banana is magic. I love rose campion too, but watch out for self-sown babies this coming season. They will sprout anywhere there'e even the tiniest bit of bare earth. It doesn't look like you have much of that in this bed, but you never know. I love your pig on a pedestal too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Alison! You are so right about self-seeding rose campion! In my terrace garden, there are dozens of them (they are the main item on bunnies' menu now)!
      This year is a year of pig -so, I guess I need to allow that piggy to be on a pedestal again!

      Delete
  3. I think I need that banana plant again. I had it years ago and let it die--not a smart move. Your design sense is so inspiring.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Grace! I'm planning to buy one or two more red bananas. Good investment!
      With this winter being so mild, I probably could leave them outside... I haven't even cut them down - they are still beautiful in the garage.

      Delete
  4. The plant combinations, the color and texture, and full spring through late summer show are all wonderful. Well done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda, I think this plant bed benefits from being far from the big fir trees with their always thirsty roots.
      I'm glad you like it!

      Delete
  5. BEAUTIFUL!! Happy Gardening in 2019 ~ FlowerLady

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Lorraine! Happy gardening to you too! Hugs

      Delete
  6. Nancy SarpolaJanuary 05, 2019

    I love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nancy, thank you! Your garden's pictures in FG are an inspiration! I wish I could see it! We travel to Oregon often. Maybe, one day...

      Delete
  7. Great color and the architectural leaves of the plants give so much interest. Rose Campion is a plant I have never grown. I would like to. I think it needs more sun than I have to offer. This really plays off the Angel wings. Great combo. I hope you can make it all come together again this year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Lisa! 'Angel wings' plants are still outside, in the garden, except one plant. I hope, they can survive our mild winter!
      Rose campion, they say, tolerates partial shade. So, you might want to give it a try!

      Delete
  8. Wow--magic! I wish I could just sit there for a few hours and study everything. Your pots and the plants in them are really pretty.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Beth! I'm very glad you like this plantbed!
      I agree, pots really can make a big difference in the garden!

      Delete
  9. I like the color mix. Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  10. So happy to see this bed again, Tatyana. I agree it was truly stunning! Wishing you an excellent new garden year with continued success in this area of your garden. P. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pam, thank you! I hope we'll have a good year!

      Delete
  11. In your garden it is like in a botanical garden. Beautiful flowers and of course they can be this year in the same layout as in the previous one. Greetings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Giga! Our winter is so mild this year, some annuals are still alive in those containers!

      Delete
  12. Just absolutely stunning Tatyana, I’m positively drooling! So gorgeous, especially when we are due to go below zero tonight. Brrrrr!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Robin! Thank you! Stay warm. Spring is coming!

      Delete
  13. Gorgeous! The planting looks so great all together, with so much texture. I've thought of getting an Abyssinian Banana even though I'd have to overwinter it - such gorgeous leaves!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Uno spettacolo, la combinazione di perenni con le piante in vaso è perfetta! Complimenti!

    Ti auguro una buona Domenica :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Goodmorning Tatyana. I can imagine that your are so proud of this beautiful part of the garden. I hope it will be the same this year.
    Have a wonderful day
    Rosehugs Marijke

    ReplyDelete
  16. Beautiful as usual. Love your idea of putting baskets in tall pots!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by and for your comment! I appreciate your time! See you soon on your blog!

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