New Shrubberies

I have a new rule. When people give me money for Christmas or my birthday, the money must be spent on something I want or need and can't just go into the general fund and disappear. It still goes into the general fund and disappears, but I don't have to feel bad if I want or need new shrubberies and buy them for the garden that's getting there.

I went to the nice independent local nursery on Sunday and bought a Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Crippsii', having no idea where I would plant it, but I liked it, hence I needed it, and four Taxus cuspidata 'Monloo'.

Surprisingly the tag said to plant the Chamaecyparis in part shade. That helped. I'm running out of space for large trees and shrubberies in full sun. I planted it where it will help form an entrance to the new heiau. It should get morning sun and high filtered shade for the rest of the day. I hope it isn't too shady.

The Taxus cuspidata 'Monloo' are a low groundcover form that were planted on the slope below the cozy cabin to add to the low mounding tapestry of texture and color. I want an evergreen presence for winter interest in this planting as well. The tag says they will get about 30" high by 8 to 10 feet wide. How long will that take?

Three of them are the little green dots on the left below the Blue Star junipers. The fourth is the little green dot above the junipers and below the big green blob of the heather which is on my hit list. The heather never blooms well and really isn't a very attractive plant. I tried it. I'm bored with it. It's soon to be compost.

The first real spring like weekend while the crocus still bloom was perfect for adding new shrubberies in the garden that is getting there.