Garden

Spirea

I would like to use this page of my blog to plan out the various gardens in our yard. Next week I plan to purchase a spirea bush planting it in front of the small rock wall in our yard. In the fall I plan to purchase some more phlox for the top of the wall.

Phlox

Next spring I want to plant some ground cover on the sandy slope. 

Soap wart grows in hot sunny areas needs good drainage. Also rose verbenas might do well in this area.

Soap wart

Creeping Thyme is also a plant that might work, it also does well in walkways and shaded areas.

Rose verbenas

Creeping Thyme

Behind the purple gem I would like to plant a Clematis up the scrub pine tree. Maybe a combination of clematis and  baptisa would work.

Clematis & baptisa

Another garden I want to concentrate on next spring is the flower bed in the front yard. This is a full sun area which I think plants that are more tolerable to heat would be a good investment. Some of the plants I found that fit this description are saliva, globe thistle, lambs ear, cone flowers, Adams needle yucca plant, sea holly, blue beard & blue star. 

Globe thistle

Lambs ear

Adams needle

Sea holly

Sapphire Surf Blue Beard

Amsonia blue star

 I think for the front flower bed next spring I might try an Adams needle and plant some smaller flowers around the border maybe aster?????

The Front corner of the house I think could use a wispy type plant maybe lambs ear or the blue beard or even sea holly to mix in with the raspberry bushes. 

We still have the front of the house with the new walk way I think when the winter creeper fills out it will look nice spilling over the bed on to the walk. Still need to figure out a few more small shrubs for the front. Next summer or spring we should start work on the arbor. Below is the design I am looking for arch with lattice on the sides and probably a keystone at its peak. I will use 2x6 to attach the 4x4's and champher the edge.

Arbor project

 On the right side of the house It is wooded and shaded so I have been starting to try and establish a border using rhododendrons in the back I a have a purple gem and a small holly there now maybe Ill plant another winter creeper to use as ground cover. I would like to mix in hydrangeas for the back clustered in groups of three to make a large hedge, with hosta's dead nettle and periwinkle in the front.

Hydrangea tree

The arbor will have a small picket fence on either side with small beds in the front the far right bed will need 1 main plant I am thinking maybe a hydrangea tree.

they grow up to 7' tall and tolerate shade so maybe the corner under the pine tree & maple will do nice. These trees where a frequent sight in Maine and when in bloom look very nice. 

The side yard where the arbor will be installed is a small narrow shaded area. I think this would make a nice garden walk way. filled with various shade plants. I think to stick with the periwinkle up front dead nettle mixed in with a few hostas. I would like to see how a couple of boxwood will fair in this area not sure how much shade these plants can tolerate but a small shrub would look nice and I do like the tiny leaves. I found an traditional azalea that also produces the tiny leaves which would bloom but I think it might want more sunlight than that area gets. I want to try wild ginger, mixed with Bishop's weed in the woods. Wild ginger should do well in the shaded area but Bishops weed is said to be very invasive. Also maybe creeping thyme closer to the foot path.

wild ginger

Bishops weed

After the foot path I have been thinking of ideas on a patio area that maybe we could retreat to after dark even when the mosquito's come out. Ive been thinking of a pergola design with maybe a fire pit. Some type of mosquito netting that could be drawn down would be nice to enjoy the outdoors during the warmer weather. The only problem I see is covering the roof during the summer but it would have to be able to hold a snow load in winter with out damaging screening. Maybe removable panels or some type of false ceiling maybe using plastic panels that can bend, for a barrel ceiling look. Some white Christmas lights and a small fire pit would also be nice. 

The fire pit design might have to change depending on the ceiling. I like the idea of limning a hole with gravel and stone seems simple and would be effective. Also could add pavers to raise the lip of the pit above grade later on.



I am thinking a circular design for the patio using cobblestone.
We had to move the grill for a small BBQ  I think with the new patio this might be a nice place to keep it.


I think next weeks project will be to plant a few bulbs. I saw allium, and Hyacinthia at Walmart, but I am looking for cone-flowers and foxglove also. Another trip to Wareham Home depot might be in order also they had a few aster that I would like to plant in the front flower bed or maybe the shrub bed in the front of the house.
















Delphinium

Producing stately spires in shades of purple, blue, pink, and white, delphiniums are about as regal as garden flowers come. Unfortunately, taller types need staking to protect them from wind but they're well worth this bit of extra work.
Name: Delphinium varieties
Growing conditions: Full sun or part shade and well-drained soil
Height: 1-6 feet tall, depending on variety
Zones: 3-7, depending on variety

Foxglove
This woodland biennial reliably produces beautiful upright spikes of bell-shape flowers in shades of purple, pink, and white. Note: While most common foxgloves are biennial, they often self seed and appear each year in the garden.
Name: Digitalis varieties
Growing conditions: Partial sun and moist, well-drained soil
Height: 2-6 feet tall, depending on variety
Zones: 3-8, depending on variety

Perennial Geranium There are a wealth of geraniums perfect for cottage gardens. 'Johnson's Blue' is among the most common; it offers beautiful blue-purple flowers in early summer.
Name: Geranium 'Johnson's Blue'
Growing conditions: Full sun or part shade and well-drained soil
Height: To 18 inches tall
Zones: 4-8