Some sources of shrubs can be far from the mountain. Client #1 has been on a thinning binge in her garden. She likes the just planted look and does not like plants that touch or merge. Even different forms of Hosta must show a separation between plants.
So I was in there thinning and discovered that the Aesculus parviflora, Bottlebrush Buckeye, had tons of rooted branches that had been covered in mulch over the years. They needed to come out. It was in full bloom and looking fabulous. I'm sure I could find a nice home for some of the rooted stem cuttings.
This native Buckeye is a fairly large multi-stemmed shrub with palmately compound leaves that turn golden yellow in the fall. The mid-summer bloom is very showy.
So I planted six of them. Four went along my lower property line as the beginning of a property and garden definition screening. Three of those are in the shade and one in full sun. Another went smack dab in front of the cozy cabin in the middle of the future planting bed. If it is happy there it could fill 80% of this bed in time. You can see it just to the right and behind the rock.
I wanted some height and substance there to help connect the cabin to the ground. Some choice small conifers in the foreground for winter interest and a few select perennials will help fill out the bed.
Many things in the garden are ephemeral and could be used as filler while the permanent shrubs grow and claim space. Like this pole bean who is being stingy with setting beans. Next year I may forgo the pretty flowers and aim for a large yield.
The wildflowers have no trouble filling space temporarily and I get better and better at distinguishing who is who at younger stages.
Occasionally even a bulb has been known to fall out of the ground when planting something new. Sometimes you can tell what a simple naked bulb is by its shape and color.
There can be advantages to being a peasant gardener.
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8 comments:
Lucky you, to get client #1's cast offs. Lucky for you as a hired gardener there are people that do not want their plants to touch. I am afraid #1 would not like my garden.
I agree that you are lucky that you can get the cast offs. I also like it that you have enough room to make swaths of plants. It looks so nice. I can just imagine those bottle brushes swaying in the breeze. I have a viburnam that has rooted itself. I am afraid to cut it off and move it. I wouldn't want to lose is. So it is just making the viburnam look huge. I give it room. Let it grow.
Cast offs are wonderful...and to get a few bottlebrush buckeyes is luckier still. I planted one this spring and am babying it along in this heat wave. They are beautiful in bloom. There is a giant stand of them at the Missouri Botanical gardens and they are fragrant, too. Things seem to grow on your mountain Christopher. The lily is a pretty flower. gail
Les sometimes I am baffled by people's taste and choices about their gardens, but the Client is always right. Most people I think would find the wild cultivated garden on this mountain a nightmare.
Lisa I bet you could safely move that viburnum in the spring or fall, which reminds me to do the same of some seedling viburnums here this fall. One of the few viburnums that has done well up here.
Gail, the Buckeye is quite impressive in bloom plus I like the leaf shape which also gives it more character. Our monsoon is over and we are into a dry spell now. Though hot up here might reach 82 briefly.
I would agree--definite advantages! The day lily patch and the last photo of lilies (Asiatic or Oriental??) are fabulous. The Buckeye looks like a bee magnet.
How funny, Client #1 wants no touching plants? I suppose as the employee you just do what you are asked to do. The buckeye is a beauty, but do you want to block the view of your front porch, or is that the idea? You want to be able to see who might be coming down your driveway, like a gas guzzler full of plants, while rocking the time away. :-)
Frances
Grace that last lily looks to be the Asiatic Lily 'Dot Com'. I'm sure the bees will love the Buckeye.
Frances the idea is to have something top out at the height of the railing. I do want some screening since there won't be any curtains most likely. I have the elevation drop that the Buckeye can work unless it is too happy. Then I can prune it or remove it. Yep, the Client gets what they want in their gardens. Gardening taste and styles vary.
Customer is always right, eh Christopher. lol I like your style of gardening on that mtn. There is always something to draw the eye to. Lots of beauty.
I think it's great that you can obtain more plants from clients like that.Their lose, your gain. Lovely.
I rather like the idea of the Buckeye. It would connect the soil to the Cozy Cabin while provide some semblance of privacy.
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