New project bed

Since everyone was so helpful on the tub, I thught it would be fun to get a little input from all of you on this bed. My last time to hostajim's I put a down payment on an orb, and today I got it! I put some trellises that were laying around up behind and have 30 cannas going in to this bed. Some real tall and others medium sized.
Here's where I could use some help. What to put in the orb? And I should plant something between the trellises, and then some filler plants. It is full sun from morning to night, so bear that in mind. I am going to move some rocks in here also, probably pretty big ones. I'm thinking tropical, but wide open to any suggestions!!

What about three cardoon? They are beautiful and get big after a couple of years. are you going to put vines on the trellises?

I like the opening in the orb more to the side than to the top. You can still fill it and have something peeking out from the inside. IMHO, when the opening is straight up you don't get the full impact of it. Congrats on picking it up. It looks fantastic.

Nice job, Jim!!

This could be the coolest manmade thing in the yard. Jim did a great job on it. I want to get anouther one for the front yard. You should get one Kathy!!

I have cardoon on the side of the house. And was thinking about rhodies or azaleas in between, but I want some that are diffrent.The orb is where I am running in to the most trouble. It is fantastic, and it deserves a equall plant in it. Just drawing a total blank!!

I would love one. Someday . . .

I think you should either go with something tall (sort of shooting out of the orb) or something trailing out of the orb to create the idea of water flowing . .

Gordon, did you D-mail Heidi, your Idea? She is a busy girl and doesnt see most of the treads. But does answer her d-mail. bet she would have a great idea. LOL

Actually, Gordon, would you consider keeping the orb empty? I love the openness of it - and having that beautiful object, with the black interior next to big lush plants would be gorgeous. I have to say I like the idea of Cardoon between those trellises - and then maybe some siberican iris - Would you consider having a gravel area for the sphere to rest on, and a path to walk up to it. The path could be planted with things that would overflow the edges: geraniums, or low dwarf azaleas/dwarf rhodies. With the cardoon and trellises in the back it would become a lovely theatrical setting - almost like a stage. You would have the beginning of a themed garden, the outdoor bathroom, the theatre gardem, perhaps a nautical garden........ the list would be endless! How fun - right, work party at Gordon's!

Laurie -

I have to say I love the idea of a gravel area for the sphere to rest on - with a few spectacular volunteers poking out through the gravel.

Today I planted 30 cannas around the bed. Got some Melianthus major and a huge Monarda 'Raspberry Wine' for between the trellises. Went to Molbak's after work. Didn't have the cardoon, but I really like the look of the meliathusI also got a Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocalate' and put that right behind the orb. I did want something tropical in the orb, with all the cannas around it, and I got Hibiscus rosa sinensis, and some hoyas to spill out of it. I left an area walking up to the orb for a gravel walk. I can get some crushed granite or maybe some colored beach rocks. I have a good size chunk of granite to put in there also.
Need to take pics tommorow, if the weather is half decent.

Gordon - i figured that you would be on that project in a flash!
Sounds like you got quite a lot done. Anxious to see pics, too. Thought of you when I was at Molbaks yesterday with my 40% off coupon. Some nice water lilies.
I was surprised at the prices being so much higher than Wells' Medina. Some people were buying dead/dying annuals. They didn't even look at what they were getting - just grab & go. Sorry, but as Kathy pointed out today - they should be at least 50% off. Dead should be free.....
The roses are 30% off, though & I snagged some beauties.
Gordon - are you going to WM this week? Let me know...

Bluestone has eupatorium on sale tonight . . .

http://www.bluestoneperennials.com/b/bp/EUCTS.html

Hi Gordon,
Great orb, can't wait to see the pictures. I have about 45 to 50 cannas also, I have been so busy on the veggie beds and dahlia beds I have not had time to start the tropical area. I have gloriosa lilies potted too, just waiting for those to come up. My greenhouse is still full even tho I have planted 30 dahlia's....lol I think I grew too much. I have seedlings at all different ages...
I wanted to try some new things this year and most of them I like. This is a cool plant, still trying to figure out what to do with it. It is blooming and has no leaves, I really like it but haven't figured out how to use it.
Sprekelia - formosissima

Shockingly beautiful.

OMG! 1 hour later, and I have a huge order coming...
My guesss is these will all be the 3" pot sizes - none specified as large which is 3 1/2" x 5". Still - great prices. Thanks for the heads up.

Hey Kayte! Would you like to go to Dragonfly on Sat morning? So far there is Kathy and I and maybe Rob, the more the merrier!
Molback's is the most expensive, bar none! WM isn't that expensive to me and about the same size. Flower World is the biggest and closest for me, but for the good stuff, I go see Heidi. Have you seen Naylor Creek's site? www.nalorcreek.com. Really cool shade garden plants!!

Sprekelia formosissima I need some!

That has to be the best flower I have seen recently. Well, Epiphyllum strictum is pretty close, but not in the garden. Were you able to get that locally, or where did you get that? I just saw it online at 50% off, but the shipping was way too much.

Thanks for sharing!

This message was edited Jun 2, 2008 9:24 AM

Gordon, Katye, if you go to Dragonfly on Sat. maybe I'll hike on up there. I have some plant material in mind, besides Hostas, hard to believe I know, to use in my new beds. I'll have it all ready by the end of the week. my Guatamalans are coming this week to work. and I'm going to start in the bog also. so I'll be checking out more of the bog stuff, Jim

This message was edited Jun 2, 2008 3:03 PM

Gordon, I would like to suggest using a climbing Hydrangea on one of the trellises, I didn't recall you talking about having one. mine is finally in it's glory and there are more blooms this year than I can count. it has taken about 5+ years for it to get to this mature stage, but it's worth the wait. the cinnamon peel bark in the winter is very nice also. since it's deciduous. good luck with your landscaping, Jim

Jim - it would be great to see you if you go on Saturday.

Sheri and I found a new climbing hydrangea the last time we were at Dragonfly called Firefly. For any of you familiar with the short-lived science fiction series and movie of the same name, it's a "must have".

Oh - Jim, can you post pictures? I'd love to see it. I have one, but it's not blooming yet.

Hey everyone ~ What time will y'all be going to Dragonfly? I'll be over in Seabeck in the morning so it's practically on my way home and I'd love to see everyone.

Kathy ~ I've found a few more 'fireflies;' papaver (which is listed on Heidi's website, heuchera, and (unfortunately) cuphea (but maybe push the zones a bit?). May have to pick up some papaver if she still has it.

Well we are taking the 8:20 ferry and should get to Heidi's by 9:30 or so. I have a family thing that I can't get out of, or we would do this during human hours. I'm after my usual everything, so we will see what I get.
By the way, I found japanese painted ferns for $3.97 at Home Depot today. I got 4 and they are really kinda nice.Also a New Zealand fern tree and a hosta named whirlwindI couldn't help it!!

Very cool orb! Here's my idea for it: turn it more where the opening is slightly to the side and put water in it. The idea would be that it would be sort of a miniature reflecting pool to Laurie's big one. You'd have to turn it so that you could catch the sun at the right angle on the water. Maybe plant something tall and willowy behind it so that the flowers are reflected in the water? Something like angel's fishing rods?
Then something low and shrubby, dwarf really, to plant in the gravel here and there Some dwarf hebes? A short lavender? Something to pick up on the color of the orb and that will give some winter structure, and that offers fragrance. Also something to create some movement. All the plants you have so far are excellent, but some movement would be great. How about Mexican feather grass? (I'm not partial- it's only my favorite grass, especially with the sun shining through it. ) It moves with every little breeze and is very graceful. I'm thinking the curves of that orb, and the curves of the grass... a magic combination. I've grown this for several years and I've had two 'volunteers' come up in the garden. In both cases, I've decided to leave them as they chose well. So reseeding has not been an issue for me.
something like this: http://www.highcountrygardens.com/catalog/product/99138/ would look good, too, and would go with the palate of 'hot' colors you've chosen. I think Heidi has these at Dragonfly. Just give sun and good drainage.

Here's the grass:
http://images.google.com/images?q=mexican%20feather%20grass&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=com.google:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi

Katie, I'll post some pics of the Hydrangea, the lacecap flowers are close to opening. I'll have to check out that Firefly H. at Dragonfly, Jim

Gordon, thanks for the invite. i would love to go, but my folks are coming up. Really can't get out of this one...
But you know I will be haunting my favourite lunchtime digs this week (WM). So,perhaps we'll cross paths...

I dunno, I keep thinking that he needs one of these in there somewhere. http://www.highcountrygardens.com/catalog/product/12710/

Oh Gordon - I think Pix has it! good good suggestions. AND I like Susybell's foyle of tha agave, perhaps to the front edge of the bed where the path begins.

I love Zauschneria - I find it can be a bit weather sensitive, but I find it strikes from cuttings very easily. I kept a parent plant going in the green house making several cuttings each season for the following years replacements. They take off like mad, and you never know which has been replaced. Brillant little plant - looks stunning grown with dark leave plants - mine are growing alongside Physocarpus diablo and ligularia firecracker.

Just this winter, I was gifted with the most beautiful Agave, which just is not the right color or spikiness for my garden. I think it would be perfect for the orb, at any angle! I will drop it off when I see you next. :-)

For the record, no run to DragonFly for AD, full time daddy this weekend, as mom is retreating.

Rob

Oh! I almost bought a few ligularia firecracker, but it was a little pricey. I did find some filler plants and a great deal too! Most was $1.8-$2.80 at Salvadalena's in Snohomish. I got Lotus maculatus, Lobelia fulgens'Elm Fire', Lobelia"Compliment Deep Red', Osteospermum ecklonis 'Spider Purple',and Cuphea llavea 'Tiny Mice'. 3 or 4 of each. Should help fill in some of the openness.

So it turns out I can't go this weekend, either. Too bad, as I was looking forward to seeing the gang (and picking up a couple of plants).

I'll get over there again, for sure.

Gordonoski! ("Gordon oskee" as if it were Polish)

I have some plants that I have been growing for the garden, and now I have no plan for them, as there is little room for more. Kniphofia pfitzeri and Lavandula angustifolia 'Lady' are the pair, and I have 20 of each as vibrant seedlings for trade or good homes.

Oh, Gordon, shame we are not closer - I've just had to pull out a ton of Ligularia - it does spread like mad! And you do have to keep it in check - but comes out easily. don't hesitate buying one, in two years you will have a dozen dozen to give away! I wouldn't say it is invasive, but it is vigorous.

I am so amazed at how knowledgeable and helpful you guys all are.
I can't throw in my two cents because I don't know plants that well.
But I have to say, I agree with Laurie1 about the possibility of
leaving it empty, the contrast with the interior is striking.

My ligularia grows tremendously well in a shady spot. But man do the slugs love it. So I have the very rare, Ligularia "Lacy Lady". LOL

Neo, we just know what we know and we are getting braver about offering opinions because everybody is so helpful and forgiving here. I expect we'll all have lots of questions for you about those lovely little Japanese Maples . . .

I'll do my best! I "rescued" another fifty or so seedlings
that need to go into individual pots. yikes.
Why do I do that to myself? :)

I dunno. I have a lot of rescued seedlings at my house, too. Hate to see anything go to waste, I suppose. But, I keep telling myself, that's what plant swaps are for. :-)

You are not alone. I am constantly fighting the urge to 'rescue' seedlings. It's ridiculous. I can never plant all these things at my place and somehow, all my friends are in the same boat. LOL!

Ah, Kathy, the lovely lacy lady ligularia. I know her well.

I just took seeds off of one of the Hells from Heidi, but can't remember which one. Didn't she only have two that where blooming?
Green heron and Snow Bunting.
This is the one I got seeds from. Just above Sassy's head

Wrong pic.
Its this one.

I have seed pods from my Hells drying outside.
Oh boy, did I finally find a bunch of like minded people!

I like the idea of turning the orb slightly so the opening is not straight up. I love the idea of putting it on gravel with a walkway of gravel leading to it. And having the lavender and/or grasses there too.

I would love to go to Dragonfly with you guys. I'm at work (shhhhh) so have to go home and check the calendar. Also will try and find a friend to go with me as it's a long way to drive alone, esp with 2 ferries. If I can get a reservation on the PT ferry, it might not be as bad. I'm going to garden club in a bit this morning, so maybe I can find someone from there who wants to go.

Any chance of us also going to hosta Jim's? He's near there, right? I was not able to go on the last trip that went there. I am wanting to see his orbs now!

Gwen