I haven't had a chance until now to get into this forum. I didn't take a lot of landscape pics last year as I was mostly focusing on individual plants, but you may be intterested in what I do have.
My Cottage Garden
These are several different lilies blooming with tall Coreopsis.
absolutely beautiful
Black Eyed Susans peeking out below Hydrangea
I always grow pels with varigated vinca in a windowbox at the back of my garage.
Then the Vinca grows down and intertwines with lilies. This is an LA; White Tycoon.
This is another LA; Clubhouse planted in the Iris. I can remember the name of the shrub. People keep telling me and I keep forgetting, LOL.
So lovely and what great color. Thank you for sharing, always inspiring to see other gardens.
I like to have lotz of pots around to fill in empty spaces and to accent certain areas that I think needs something more to stand out. These are pots of pels (white glitter) and million bells, alstroemeria and coleus backdropped by Jolly Bee Hardy Geranium.
Not sure if you can tell here, but I try to create height through use of hanging baskets and vines on trellises. Across the way you see a new clematis starting on the north side of the garage. The pic was taken just behind a basket of ivy geranium. If you look closely, you'll also see two short trellises on eaither side of the taller one that is only there as accents. They are not supporting any plants.
Another view of my very small yard.
When I originally posted this, someone said they really liked the strong colors. I didn't. Next year there won't be any red petunias or salvia.
Great garden, Beaker! The last shot really shows everything in bloom -- how'd you do that? Just with a couple of pots placed here and there? No way!
On the last picture, what's the white shrub blooming its head off in the corner? It's wonderful!
Thinking to self: Now I know where to go for Jolly Bee Geranium seeds.... mu ahahahaha!
Suzy
When most of the lilies are done Phlox and Milkweed take over as points of interest.
Hi Suzy, if you mean the picture posted at 6:10, it's Hydrangea. I have mixed feelings about it. It's a lovely shrub, but it takes up way too much room in my tiny yard.
I get lotz of butterflies and bumble bees which are very welcome.
I've had to move plants to the alleyway as I ran out of room in my yard, LOL. Where you see green lawn in previous pics, is now dug up for new garden space. I was able to get half of it planted before the big freeze. It will be interesting to see how it evolves next year. It usually takes me a year or two to get things the way I like it.
Yes, it was the hydrangea -- is that the state flower of Minnesota? It should be! I have never seen one so loaded with bloom! Normally I have no problem offering an opinion, but in this case, I don't know what I'd tell you -- it is soooo gorgeous in bloom, obviously happy, and yet you're right -- it takes up a lot of room. Would the alley way accomodate it? LOL! The Beaker Annex.
I was going to say in my first post that there seemed to be a large lawn to flower ratio, but I knew as soon as I saw all the flowers that the grass wasn't long for this world. ;)
Suzy
More pots of Tango Red pels and Coleus. They hide where my drwarf iris are planted. That's C jackmanii on the fence and another ivy geranium basket in the backround. This was fairly early in the season; June sometime.
I think the State Flower might be the Lady Slipper, but I'm not sure. I do believe it is some woodland plant that won't grow in my shade garden. Unfortunately, the alley won't accomodate it.
Speaking of shade, I only have one picture of that area with the Torenia creeping through the double impatients.
I have pots of pels everywhere. On the steps...
On the fence....
And everywhere inbetween.
oh!! lots of wonderful pics... what a beautiful garden!!
and a big Thank You for posting the photo with the torenia *and* the double impatiens... I have seeds for both, and was trying to decide between them for my small shady space (near the front door, under a bench) next year... I think I shall have both! :-)
(reminds me of Winnie the Pooh... Rabbit asks, "Honey or condensed milk with your bread?" and Pooh is so excited that he says, "Both, please!" but then, so as not to seem greedy, he adds "but don't bother about the bread.")
Hi, beaker. You've done marvelous things with your small yard. What a lot of wonderful plants, season-long bloom, gorgeous color! You'll be an inspiration to those of us who aspire to a cottage garden. Demolish that grass!! There's far too much of it in the world LOL. thanks for sharing all your great pics.....gram
The End....until next year.
I get a lot of foot traffic in my alley as the VFW is just across the way and my street is between 2 shopping centers. One lady stopped to chat and asked if she could buy some of my plants. She was sure I was a home-based nursery, LOL. I offered cuttings, but she wanted the entire pot, so I had to disappoint her. Other people are always asking me how I handle certain problems. One guy asked me about rabbitts and I pointed out to him a baby bunny eating grass in my lawn with the dog snoozing about 2 feet away.
My favorite lily last year...Madonna Lily
Thanks for the compliments, All.
When I plant something initially, I generally have an idea what I want the spot to look like. Often, I'm wrong. I spend a lot of time, usually that hour before sundown, just sitting and looking to see what looks out-of-place. I'm sure my neighbors must think I spend a lot of time meditating, but believe me, my mind is extremely busy moving plants. My short shovel is never put away and I constantly move plants around until they are in a spot pleasing to my eye. If I can't find that spot, I usually get rid of the plant.
I find having pots of plants to be very helpful in not only filling in bare spots, but in creating height. Consider a few pots of mid-size dahlias and lilies for next year and see if it doesn"t make a difference.
Critter - I'm afraid when it comes to plants, I get very greedy indeed.
The hydrangea is beautiful, It is my favorite flower and I also love geraniums. A very pretty garden. I enjoyed your pics.
Yeah, Beaker, that hydrangea is perfectly placed when I see it in contect with the house...I would definitely leave it. (Yeah, I know, you didn't exactly ask for advice. LOL!)
Diggin, I'm a little surprised you'd love that hydangea coming from so far south -- I thought you guys down there can grow any hydrangea in any color in the world, while poor Beaker has like 2 choices up in Minnesota! I love them so much, but in Indianapolis I only have about 4 choices...it's tragic! I wish mine looked at good as Beaker's, too!
Suzy
That was a feast for the eyes.... and I'm stuffed! Thanks - great shots. Love your lilies, the purple/ lilac/ white potted flower (wave petunia?) on your front steps, and, of course, the pels!
Beaker, lovely, lovely, just lovely!!! I didn't have time to read everything, but I sure did drool over every pic!!! Now I see what you mean about mixing in pots to fill in where it's bare. That's a great idea. I'm not big on garden art because I live in town and things tend to disappear here sometimes....but your use of pots reminds me of garden art...and a type I could do w/out having to worry that it would get stolen.
I love that first pic, I'll be dreaming of playing in that garden tonight! =^)
What's the puppers name? Sure is a cutie!!!
Hi Pagencat, the petunias are called multi-blue and really hard to capture on camera, but are my favorite and I plant them every year. They aren't wave, but are planted in a tall strawberry planter with nine side openings.
Hi Healthjoy, the pups name was Reggie. I recently lost him, but I have a new puppy coming on Jan 19th. Same breed, West Highland White Terrier.
I also worry that people will steal pots of plants, but so far, so good. It was especially worrisome when I started placing pots out in the alley. I live in an area that is really close to a part of town with a lot of low income and transient residents and my alleyway has a lot of foot traffic as there are two shopping centers on both sides of my block. The worst problem I ever had happened many years ago and that was waking up one morning and finding someone had cut and taken all my yellow Iris. I always figured it was some drunk from the VFW.
Here's a closer view of the petunias. They are much prettier in person. Wish I could get a good picture of these.
Wow! I didn't see this thread until this evening - don't know how I missed it! Your cottage garden is the perfect example - can't wait to see what you do next year!
And nice job of creating heighth - that can be a real challenge!
So sorry to hear about Reggie, but I'm glad you're getting a new friend. You'll have to share his/her pics with us. I hope your new pup will be a great garden buddy, there's nothing like getting doggie kisses when you're in the garden!
Those petunias are gorgeous! It just looks like they are saying Good Morning!
Not real poitive, but going by the eyes, I think my new little guy is the one in the middle.
He's is so cute!!! I don't have a Westie now, but one of my favorite pets was my West Highland White Terrier named MacGregor. I know you'll still miss Reggie, but hope you enjoy this new little fellow immensely.
Your garden is beautiful. Your idea of using pots is great, especially in a small yard. My yard is small and I really understand the problem with a plant that demands too much space, but your hydrangea is so beautiful. I don't think I'd be able to part with that. What kind is it?
Well, it was here when I bought the house over 10 years ago. I never knew its name, but because so few are hardy in Minnesota, I'm guessing it is Annabelle.
Yes, I'm really looking forward to his arrival. I'm afraid I won't think he's so cute the frst time he attacks one of my lilies. I plan to put him into puppy classes right away. Hopefully, he won't be so much of a terror by summer.
gorgeous cottage garden, beaker -- and your westie will add the perfect "animal" element!
Oh, yes, the middle puppers is the one!! What a cutie. I bet you are just so excited, I remember getting our last pup. I was about ready to jump out of my skin. Only about 2 more weeks, huh? And you already know that when he tears up that first Lily you'll only be upset for a minute, then he'll give you kisses and you'll melt!! It's known as "Puppy Power" and my dog has WAY too much of it!!! Keep us posted and share lots of baby pics...and the name you choose! He's too adorable not to share, don't keep him all to yourself!
Oh, wow! I can't imagine what you might show us next year if you focus on landscape pics! (Since you said you didn't take a lot of them last year.) That's incredibly beautiful! Can I ask a dumb question? What do you mean by "pels?" What are they? Probably something I'm familiar with, just not the word.
Pels = Pelargoniums
Pelargoniums is the true name of what you probably know as annual geraniums.