Results of the work party at Rachel's

Here is what I started with.

Here is what it looked like the day after the work party.

Here is what it looks like today. I "recycled" stuff (rocks, galvanized pipe, old 1x12 douglas fir fence boards and leftover floor joists from building our house) I had hanging around her to use as border material, to be honest I would rather spend the $$ on plants than on cottage blocks! You can see the edges of the cardboard that I need to trim off still (just imagine that I already did that!) It's much more fun to dig in the dirt than to cut cardboard!

I have decided not to have a path through the new bed, I am going to put a path to the center of the island just past the "shade" area. I am going to get another yard of dirt in my truck to fill in where the path would have gone and to fill a little more where you see the black pots on the left hand side.

This message was edited Apr 17, 2008 11:26 PM

Here is a closer look at the "shade" portion of the bed.

This is what you see when you drive through the gate. Again just ignore the cardboard hanging out of the edge :0)

Here is a shot of Katie and Gordon's handiwork with my clay pots and bowling balls, I love it! The pots are planted with lilies and glads.

I will keep updating the thread as things start to grow. Thanks again to all of my gardening buddies for making this project great fun and a huge success!

Looks good Rach, I like your teepee trellis - (and the pink pots). This is going to be gorgeous as the summer progresses. Looking forward to updates.

I agree- what a transformation and when those plants all grow in it will be amazing. I left two boxes of stuff for your shade area at Jburesh's, so brace for more labor. Enjoy your new area and plants!

I love garden labor, bring on the plants! I'm headed back out now. Just took a few minutes to run over to Pixy's to p/u plants and grab a bite of lunch and now back to it!

Rachel ~ It looks so good, really taking shape. I am anxious to see it all in full bloom!

Correction - no cardboard there. What you think is cardboard is actually worm food.
Looking good, Rach - save room for the 3X3 Phlomis. He's a sunlover if thre's room.

Katye ~ I was just looking at Phlomis. Seems it does really well in hot places. 2 questions ~ would it do well here on the "coast" and are the flowers fragrant? Way cool looking plant...love the flowers. Would look really pretty with something red or purple ~

I have a special spot for the Phlomis, I'm so excited!

Sheri - yes, it's hardy out your way.
Needs great drainage, not too rich soil, SUN - hey, me too!
And, a good space where it's not crowded in - nice grey-green foliage. This is the kind of very warm yellow - wonderful with a saturated purple, or oranges/reds/mahoghany. Also others with the "greyed" foliage.
Also - there is a pink variety - less hardy, larger leaves.


Rach - I think you will like this a lot. Very different flowering habit. I liken it to something from a cartoon...

I just found this. All I can say is " pretty Da## cool" I love it
Pat's on the back to All.
Cardboard I didn't see any, did you?
Like the pipe, would of never thought of that.

Phlomis 'Jerusalem Sage' I think I got one from Pix, gotta check.