Any ideas or suggestions for what to plant along the (outside) edges of our water garden?
I'll post a picture, but to sum up, it has morning shade and, until last night, half of it was overhung by two big junipers that constantly dropped needles and berries.
My husband fired up his chainsaw to trim them way back or maybe take out one of them and. . . well, you know how that goes.
Now they are completely gone.
I'd been thinking about planting some grasses when they were cut back and am leaning toward panicum, but I also want something evergreen since what is the 'back' of the water garden to us is on the lane that we share with three neighbors.
I don't want them to have to look at the back of our stock-tank biological filter everytime they drive or walk up the lane!
The good news is that in clearing out the juniper we discovered two shelves so we can relocate the pickerel weed that were all crowded into one end.
I prefer to use native, non-invasive plants that have something to offer wildlife.
Also, I'm trying to avoid anything that might send roots into the water garden--it's at least 30 years old and we don't want to take any chances!
What do you all have planted outside your water gardens? What would you like to plant?
Teresa
(zone 7)
Framing the water garden (What do you plant outside yours?)
Here is a 'Before' picture.
Teresa
Here is an 'After' picture.
Teresa
Here is a second 'After' picture so you can better see what we need to work on.
The footbridge runs East to West, with the end near the filter being on the East, and the end in the foreground being the West.
I was thinking of planting some short, wide evergreen against the fence to screen the filter from neighbors, but hopefully prevent it from dropping leaves, etc. into the filter/pond (note nearby cedars and box that will probably stay where they are unless the chainsaw gets going).
Thanks for your suggestions and advice!
Teresa
Hi Teresa Welcome to DG!!! What do you like? You can put anything you like with the sun requirements of the area around the pond.
My pond was in full sun on the west side of my house but I planted gardenias, clera, oak tree, weeping willow and most people laugh junipers on the west side of mine. That was 10 years ago and now my pond went from full sun to kinda protected. On the other sides I have black EE, drawf oleander, garlic chives, sweet olive next to where I sit, 2 rose bushes, eucalyptus trees with bromeliads underneath, a Cajun bay tree, and a couple hollies. I'm thinking of taking the garlic chives out and putting in angel trumpets. So as you can see just whatever you like!!!
Have fun!! If you have any questions just post here and everybody will try to help.
Jeri
Have you considered vining plants for the fence area? If you want them for screening purposes most vining plants will cover pretty quickly and not be in your way when you are walking around the pond. There is an added bonus in that there is such a variety of them with lovely and fragrant blooms. I love the way taking out that one bush really opened up the area for you.
Vines are an excellent idea!
I've been thinking that I need to find something nice to grow up the little electric switch so it doesn't seem so stark, but it never crossed my mind for the fence!
Thank you!
(Of course, if you could see some of the poison ivy and english ivy 'trees' we are battling right now, you'd understand my mental block--I think some of theses trees haven't been cared for in 25 years, and sadly, there are a few tulip poplars and sassafras that we don't think are going to make it even when we have the ivies under control.)
Off to research non-invasive, native vines. . .
Teresa
Hello
Have you considered a lovely japanese maple? Not the vase shaped kind but one of the drooping forms. You could choose one with a little or a lot of burgandy in it, and a variety that will take the sun/shade conditions of your space. It would look beautiful reflected in your pond. The vines could cover the fence behind the tree and/or you could put up a short length of bamboo fencing or another type of screen behind the tree and close to the fence. It would serve as a back drop for the water feature and as a functioning screen for where you need the privacy. You could even hang some art on the new fence to add to the color needs of your garden space when the tree isn't leafed out. .
This message was edited Jul 13, 2007 1:40 PM
This message was edited Jul 13, 2007 1:41 PM