Beginner Gardening: DJ"S SHARING GARDEN DESIGNS "WHAT TO GROW WHERE ???, 3 by Pfg

Pfg wrote:
A new idea has been perking in my head lately. My main long bed is getting too complicated color wise. For a long time I had dots of this and that, but now that it's finally filling in, I need to smooth it out.

One problem is that in the very beginning, 2007, DH wanted roses there, one of this and one of that. He had just had a ton of weeds cleared by the guy who has been doing the general work there for years- mowing, spring/ fall clean ups, pruning, etc. I was new on the scene, hadn't yet taken over ( didn't take long, lol) and wanted to please him (still do, in addition to pleasing myself).. So now, a few roses survived and I feel I have to leave them. The reds are halfway down.

Another huge dominating color element comes from the Daylily beds. There are two huge ones down the middle, and other large clumps along the top of the wall behind the main long bed. When DH first got the house in 1978, there was an adjoining field of them where the previous owner had been hybridizing them, and DH moved his favorites front and center. They are predominantly red, orange yellow. I've cleaned them up and re-shaped them, but they are dear to his heart and I won't change them much more.

A couple of years ago I added a patch of red Monarda at the upper back to balance, and we both like it.

The other strong element is the Cotinus someone stuck in there along the way. I love it, and have been trying to make it more important in the color scheme by adding purples, pinks, etc. I finally got rid of all the daylilies in that area, but last fall added some back in for contrast with the dark tree and continuity of the big beds.