Today's focus... the front of the house. A very long overdue cleaning and makeover. I haven't been real happy with it lately anyhow. I got rid of alot of the Coreopsis a couple of months ago (they were really beginning to take over). I left some of the small ones. But they were just looking like weeds. And the Horsetail Rush was needing some thinning out. The Canna needed some of old spent flowers/spikes removed. And I removed a bunch of seed pods that were beginning to form on the Texas Star Hibiscus. They put on tons of seeds... and there's no need having that many on hand. In other words... it was a real mess! front bed-before1 ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) And now... front bed cleaned1 ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) And from the other side... Icky.... front bed before2 ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) and cleaned... front bed cleaned2 ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Although the Texas Star and Hibiscus provide lovely flowers... way up high... there is nothing really below to look at. So I wanted to add some other plants and some ground cover. (And bought some rocks... just because!) I put in a Canna Lily (bottom right). Alternanthera Yellow Leaf - Joseph's Coat (middle). To the left is the Sweet Violet I had in a container. new plants1 ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) On the other side... Bat Face Cuphea (left). Below that is a Moss Rose that actually came back from last year. Above that and to the top right I put some Gold Moss Sedum (there's two more further back in the photo). another new plant ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) I pulled weeds out of the other beds around the porch... and then moved to the bed next to the garage/storage building where the Cosmos are. They had played out a while back, but I left them to drop their seeds (after I harvested some of course). And after that rain we had a couple of weeks ago, there were BUNCHES of new seedlings. So... it was time to give them a chance to grow. Cosmos Bed - ugly ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) So I pulled up all the old Cosmos... gave them a good shake to let any last seeds fall. Got the weeds out too. Cosmos Bed - cleaned ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) You'll have to forgive the items stuck in there... if I don't put something there, the dog will make herself right at home! And I've got some new flowers to put in those hanging pots. And I have a plan for that ugly black tub... and no, it's not bamboo curtain! :-D Once it cools off some, I'll get out the mower and weed eater.
Good gardening Cheryl! Your beds look real nice in the after shots. It gives a sense of accomplishment doesn't it?
Oh I do like to see 'before and after' photographs. You've made a BIG improvement in those beds Cheryl. They look really neat and tidy now. :-D
You've done some great work, Cheryl. It all looks so nice. Those marvelous red blooming flowers out front are just superb.
Yes Kay... you're absolutely right. Accomplishment. Very needed accomplishment! Thanks Netty. Busy yes... but still didn't get to everything. I was just about to get the weed-eater and mower out, and a very tiny rain shower blew through and stopped that project. Plus, my back was starting to ache, so I called it a day. Thanks Eileen. Looking at those "before" photos... why did I let it get so out of hand in the first place? Oh wait. I know. I've been so busy in the back yard that I totally neglected the front. I'll try not to let it get that bad off again. Thank you Sjoerd. Yes... those Texas Star Hibiscus are real "show stoppers"! I had no idea the plant would get that big. My aunt's (where I got the original seeds for this one) is about 1/4th the size. Time to relax. If I'm going to get the mowing done tomorrow... I'd better get a very early start!
A job well done Cheryl,..i know looking at the eight pictures in no way describes the amount of back breaking work you did,..but it looks so well seeing the before and after pictures,..yes i like the finished appearance.
All your hard work paid off, it looks great and although you may have a sore back, I am sure it feels good to get it cleaned up!
Yep... feels good to having it looking good again! And Philip.... well... it still didn't have that "finished appearance" to me. So I added some Pine Bark. Now it's done! bark added ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )
