The Long View 2009

Getting bored here........ Kinda hot to work in the sun. Any suggestions?

Oh I can go to Songs Beautiful water garden!!! Duh

Doesn't Songs' water garden make you jealous??

Last Friday was my last day at work (company shutting down, somewhat early lay off for me). Luckily last weekend there were plant sales to keep my spirits up! w00t!

Here's the latest of the front, taken today. I moved the shrubs that were between the front walk and the porch, so that's all empty now (well, except for that geranium at the end). I had just planted those shrubs a couple years ago, but none would grow in the spot where that geranium is - I think there's not enough soil there due to all the lovely rocks the contractors left.

Here's a view from the other side.

Where did all those shrubs go? To help hide the lovely utilities transformer! I only had to buy two spiraea and 1 ornamental grass - the rest are all transplants from various spots. I just finished transplanting this bed today, so not totally done, but enough so (I'm pooped!).

Looking good, EB!!

I wish I had that around my box.

Here's the south side of the house, which is a total mess. One of these days....

This is taken from the SW corner of the back. I like this shot now that I really look at it (just uploaded). Monarda will grow in that patch on the right. And that brown spot on the lower left is where one of the yellow shrubs up front came from. I plan on leaving all this back here pretty wild - in winter this is where you see all the tracks so I want to keep it open for the wildlife. Husband can't really get back here to mow, which is fine with me.

Unfortunately my yard doesn't fit well into pictures :) Sorry for so many.

Here's a look from the top of the patio looking out to the stream. This is where I tend to keep my new plants that I haven't planted yet :) (many more on the wall that you can't see)

That's my "wildlife" bed and I'm not sure what it'll look like this year. It looks like much isn't coming back where it was before - I'm thinking the voles had a field day this winter. So we'll have to wait and see.

Off in the back upper right is where the stream empties into a river rock filled pond.

Here's a look at the right back of the backyard, looking from the deck. That's the "pondless pond" on the left. I started a new bed last year and will expand it once my pre-order shrubs come in. Those are perennials / wildflowers I picked up at a local sale. I let the back go wild and am being rewarded - many wildflowers (not all nice ones, but I'm not choosy) and wild low shrub honeysuckle.

The goal is to get rid of most of the grass and plant some berrying shrubs, ferns and wildflowers for a bit of a woodland garden. So one day all this will be mostly filled in with some paths.

You got some space and grass....... Get rid of grass!

Here's a shot you might like taken from the south looking north under the deck. I let the area under and near the deck go wild also. I now have a bunch of ferns and some bramble (which the rabbit kindly pruned for me over winter - convenient!).

One of these days the rain barrel will get installed and the patio table moved to the patio. The rest I keep messy for the "compost" bin and piles. (given it takes years for my stuff to turn to compost, I used quotes)

Looks great Evie

yes it does - great job evie

very nice Stormy & Evie!

Evie, You did a lot of work. You should be pooped. Your woodland area is really beautiful.

Thanks guys, glad you like. Almost nothing is original to the house, so it has been a long road here. I'm finally happy with it though.

And yes, schickenlady, I can't wait to get rid of the grass!!

ok all the mulch is spread - could have used 4 more wheel barrel's worth

here are some "sky" view shots - first one is from our bedroom window - taken through the screen of the front right side of the yard

Bill, your yard is just amazing!

here is the front left side of the yard

back right side of the yard - the spot open in that first bed will be filled by two EE's - in the new back bed i planted a couple dozen rudbeckia and foxglove - there are another couple dozen foxglove and a few dozen lupin to go in there too as well as some hh's

thanks jen

here is the back left - window has no screen in it:)

Wow!

OUSTANDING! Everyone's love of gardening is clearly evident in the pictures. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then there's a million words on this thread. I tried to get a long view this morning but the plants got in the way. I don't have a second story so I will have to get on the roof.

that is gorgeous Venu!!!!!

looks good venu - be careful on the roof!

Nice, Louise I love the poppies.

Teriffic plants Venu.
Colors are great.
Is that lavander? in front of the poppies?

Bill what a beautiful job you did in the yard... we didn't get to pick up mulch yesterday with the puppy shopping and running around... they are closed today

:(

but when I am exhausted after spreading mine I will think of how much more you did and keep my mouth shut... LOL

Weese love all the poppies... only 2 out of 5 that I planted came back

:(

hopefully my WS'ed ones will survive

Bill - I really like how you do your mulch and scaping. Question Bill or anyone

I have tried to tell husband how to put the bark down, BUT NO he has to have his rocks. He feels that you cant just put bark down and mow around it. I said " you want nice swooping curves" I tried to make him understand.

He has his mind made up you cant mow around it. Maybe I said something wrong.

Thanks. Jo Ann, that is Salvia May Night. The lavender is just starting to bud up.
Poppies seem difficult to start from seed. I tend to lose them in the hardening off stage. I have some babies this year in shade that look great.

I have MayNight cant figure out why I didnt recognise it.
Just beautful,mine should be along in a few weeks. You are about a month ahead.

hi sherrie - you do have to moe going in the direction so the mower does not blow the mulch and leaves dirt showing and it helps if there is a deep edging cut as well.

just show him one of my pics

Bill I did show him some of your pics - he went out and bought rocks. grrrrr

Just to put it out there, I've learned to mow about 8 inches or so away from the bark mulch, and then go back and weed wack the edge, but for a big property that would be a nightmare. SL, to be honest, I've been seriously thinking about doing away with the bark mulch and replacing it with rocks myself. You have to replace bark mulch every year to keep the color or replace the stuff that's broken down, and that's just a lot of work and money. My neighbor mulches only with colored stone, and it still looks great and it's the second year. I've used white stone in the past, but that tends to look dirty pretty quickly.

Great shots, Bill and Weeze!

Drum - I could not agree more abut mulch. I would add that the cost is high and weed seeds still sprout in it. Heavy rains will wash it away. That's why I'm going to ground covers. Looks more natural to boot.

What ground covers are you considering Victor?

A number of them, Jo Ann. I am using golden Creeping Jenny, hardy geranium (various, including Rozanne and macro), hostas, hellebores, sedum and ranunculus Buttered popcorn.

This message was edited May 24, 2009 10:33 AM

I have golden creeping jenny and several Lamiums
Just started planting hardy geraniums into the middle of Lily plntings.
Darkpurple leaved Hocus Pocus and midnight Reited,as well ad Bokivos, Patricia which died from American Gardens.
Your advise wes great lastsummer when you said you bought plants from GCrossings Bluestone was too small etc.
I'm expecting company any minute so I'm rushing this.
I'm waiting for Hallsons sale to buy small hostas. I have Sunlight Child which is the yellowest.

This message was edited May 24, 2009 12:15 PM