A before and after

We have an elevated flowerbed in back off the sunporch and living/dining area of the house. The original owner of the house planted 4 magnolia trees in the bed very close to the house, oh, over 20 years ago (about 1987). They were over 50 ft tall when we bought the place 7 years ago. They were so close to the house that we feared the roots would unsettled our foundation, and the trunk of one passed to within 4 inches of the edge of the roof. So last month right before Christmas we had them all removed.

These are a few photos of the bed after the ax job

I had a lot of stuff planted in here that I had to remove (or lose) when they took the trees out...a huge red crinum, some calathea louisiae, Amaxon lilies, several large stands of variegated cast iron and spotted Milky Way cast iron, some gingers...there are also some things that are still here but are dormant, like alocasias and peacock gingers.

These rock ferns I left for the removal, but later also removed. Here is a shot of the stumps, they couldn;t get a grinder in gere to get them out

I kicked around the idea of putting a lean to greenhouse here, but in the end decided against it. Instead, I took a bunch of stuff that I have had in containers for a long while and planted the bed. I used xeric bromeliads (hechtia, puya, dyckia etc), agaves, palms (Queen, caryota mitis and Rhapis excelsa), three huge Neoregelia carcharodon hybrids about 3 ft across, other neoregelias, the pups from the red crinum that I took off (planted mom somewhere else), sone variegated shell ginger...and an old stone basin birdbath we have had for years. Once it fills in some more I think it will be really great. The only plants that I fear might not make it are the Queen Palm and the Caryota...there are some Queens planted out around town that have been there a few years so hopefully mine will do, but the Caryota is iffy. I thinks its close enough to the house to be okay especially if I wrap it in extreme cold.

another

another view

How nice will that look when you sit at your breakfast table! Well done Goth! Have you got any garen lighting for those romantic evenings! LOL.
MAke sure you add to this thread as the garden grows!
Sue

Looks great, if ever you need any baby queens let me know as I always have little ones popping up.

I also planted a Livistonia deceipens by the birdbath, a small one that a friend gave me. Supposed to be completely hardy here. Hope its a fast grower, LOL. Where the birdbath sits, there was a good sized Dogwood. I had them take it out when they took out the magnolias, as we were still considering the idea of a lean to greenhouse there. But I actually think I will like this better.

Thanks for the offer on the Queens, fleurone! I hope this one makes it. I have a smallish Foxtail I'd like to try in the bed, but I think I may save it and buy one from a box store in Spring or summer...they always have largish obes at Walmart for about $12-15. I want to start with one that has a chance of making it through a winter, I think mine still may be too small.

I think it will look great.
Yep holler any time you want any I am always pulling them up. I picked up a large foxtail fern in Lowes for 9.99. It is a bit pot bound but will have to hang on until I get it's spot ready!.

I have seen a few foxtails planted out here that have been in the ground for 2-3 years or more. I think it will have a chance.

I think it will do all right as well. I am itching to get some things in the ground but I think I have been slotted in for putting the dreaded Christmas things away in the attic today. :(

I noticed yesterday my blanchetina has some cup rot, it has never flowered but has several pups around it. Way too big to pick up and empty if water was the problem though.

Wow you can leave that out there by the road like that? Here someone would have pilfered it long ago! Especially since its so gorgeous!

Yep it has been there nearly all year. DH and I brought it in on to the pool deck just before Christmas so MIL could stand her Christmas tree in the hole. A palm tree used to grow there but was struck with lightning so it makes a good plant stand now!.
No one here seems much into gardening they all have typical little formal round perfectly manicured bushes and lawns etc. In fact I bet some people never even step foot in their gardens.
I like informal and have had nice comments on the garden, especially when the brugs are blooming.

Don't know if this pic shows the stand any better.