I haven't gotten very far on the front bed, the ground was so hard earlier this week that I really strained my shoulders trying to dig it up. So I started on the north corner that is very shady in the summer. It was filled with English Ivy that has been the bane of my gardening on the north side of the house since we bought the house. It is a constant battle to keep it off the house and out of the trees, makes a nice ground cover but won't stay there. Many years ago I had planted two Raspberry vines there, this was way before the volunteer Pecan trees had grown up to create the shade. Those vines have been spreading themselves all over the yard. Because of the area had been filled with ivy, when the pecans fell in that spot I couldn't find them. Therefore there were dozens of baby pecan trees to pull/dig up. And quite a few peach tree saplings from the peach pits that were hiding there too. I am sure some of each of those plants will appear now and again but I will be able to stay on top of them now. Under the birdhouses are three of the dwarf Hollyhocks I love, they should soon be 3-4 feet tall and wide. Those ladders have to remain there for the time being There are two Spiderwort starters in the ground and a Heuchera-Coral Bells. Three Astilbe are coming up in their pots and will be transplanted eventually. Three Poker Primrose to be planted. Three Cyclamin also to plant. And along that wall of windows and a door that we don't use, I want to plant some Patchouli. This side of the red bench gets sun all morning, until about 1 in the afternoon, so there is a Hyacinth Bean Vine planted to grow up and over the bench. Also have several Blue Fescue that I grew from seed last year planted along the edge of the bed this side of the bench. I also have a floating dragon and a bridge to put out there. I will take another picture when he is in place With the rain we got last night, I won't be able to finish putting plants into the ground until maybe Saturday unless we get more rain Friday as predicted. Pay no attention to the paint job on the house, that is to be finished soon....I hope and I hope without damage to the plants. The green around those windows and the door were Photoshoped on and my hand wasn't very steady with the mouse.
Your area looks like a little dream already. Can't wait to see it when everything's feeling at home and putting on a great show. And a bridge and dragon too!
Nice picts. I like the red bench. The bean vine will look good around the bench. Will be awaiting the dragon and bridge photos.
I spotted the red bench that you had shown us before! You must really be sore from all that digging. Looks like it will be a very nice area. You will have to show us the same photo again once it is finished!
Well done Toni. Ivy is a real pain to get rid of so you've done a great job in clearing it. It's going to be amazing once it's all planted up and the house is painted. Really looking forward to seeing the dragon and bridge.
Dang that is alot of work you did there. Ivy IS a pain in the derriere to get rid of,, at least it wasn't Kudzu..lol. But you can see the result is going to amazing once all those plants take off. Those birdhouses do they get used or are they just decoration. would be cool to see little ones right out that window. And please i have to see the dragon and bridge also..pics please. Nice job on the bench and that will look cute with the vine growing over it...Well done!!
Thanks everyone, I am really tickled with the way it came out. Can't wait for the plants to fill in. Looks like I won't be out to finish this area until maybe a little on Saturday or not until Monday. We have more rain coming this afternoon into evening, we are having the kids over Saturday afternoon for my early birthday pizza dinner, then more rain Sunday. I have the Dragon complete and I will put the bridge together today, hopefully I can get a picture posted of that later.
Your back area looks great now I can't wait to see it finished.Its really cloudy here now toni.I think the bottom is about to fall out of the sky.
Someday I want a bridge in my garden with a troll to peek out from under it. That looks like a great spot to have a cup o' tea in an afternoon!
Mary, if you want just a small - non-walk on- type bridge check out http://www.collectionsetc.com/SearchResults.aspx I bought the Welcome Bridge and the Wood Foot Bridge. The Wood Foot Bridge is the one going across the floating dragon.
Well phooey, that link was supposed to be to a picture of all the bridges they have but I guess they don't want to share it that way. Glad you found it anyway. Not sure where I will put the other bridge but the right place will come to mind some day.
