Beginner Gardening: Designing flowerbeds, 1 by flowerprincess

flowerprincess wrote:
Mevnmart,
I live in Utah also, last year I planted several perennials, and I agree its so exciting to see them come back up!
I encorpotated a gravel pathway, along the pathway I planted hostas, spirea bushes, jacobs ladder, japanese forest grass, hardy hibiscus and a clematis in the corner which will grow up around my birdhouse.
I like the mixed textures of the hostas with the japanese forest grass (see pic for example) I wasn't sure if the forest grass would grow in this climate, and searched several nurserys before I found it, but sure enough they are coming back this year just fine.
One of my favs is columbines. I have 6 flats growing in the greenhouse, they grow really good here. I also have autumn sedums and lilies planted in my hot areas, I was so excited to see the lilies start peeking through. I am hoping to plant some tiger lilies, but haven't been able to locate any bulbs.
Don't know how your soil is, but mine is clay. I added some really good rich soil before planting and am actually surprised how well the plants are doing.

I got alot of ideas from the Sunset Magazine.