More Wide Views - Front Left Bed

I've noticed by reading other blogs how much I enjoy wider views of the writer's garden. I've also noticed comments on other blogs saying how much other readers enjoy wider views. I took a look around my blog and realized I didn't have very many wider views, and I realized I specialized in flower closeups. Now, there's nothing wrong with closeups, but I'll bet you have no idea what my gardens really look like.

I intend to start remedying that sad situation right now. After all, this is a garden blog not a flower blog. You will get gardens!

I've started by adding a Garden Plot photo album on the right sidebar. I will add to that album in the future so you can get a more complete picture of the gardens I write about. I'll also write more about individual "plots" instead of focusing on just a couple of plants. And yes, I'll show you my horrible design mistakes. Believe me, there are plenty, but every now and then I get it right.

I thought I'd start the "wider views" with a view of the contained garden to the left of my front door. It's surrounded by house and sidewalk, and it's somewhat of a challenge. It's in shade all day, and it's moist shade. So, what's challenging about moist shade, you ask? Well, there is the issue of not enough foundation, or backbone, to the garden. We plan to remedy that issue next spring. We also have a formerly beautiful pink dogwood that's been in decline for a number of years. The cicadas in 2004 and the drought in 2005 really did a number on it and stressed it, and then it got borers. Unfortunately, I didn't notice the borers until it was too late. We've been treating it and hoping for the best because we love the tree. Sadly, it's looking pretty ragged. We're giving it one more year. If it starts to recover, we'll add a couple of evergreens, probably Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken.' If it doesn't recover, we'll replace it and add the laurels.

Here's the current view. That's Schizophragma hydrangeoides 'Moonlight' growing on the wall, and it's a robust climber. The rhododendrons are Rhododendron yakushimanum 'Yaku Princess.' They are very slow growing and should reach a height of about 3 feet. They have pink buds that open white. The upright shrub by the pillar is Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' which has been bothered by mites. This one is doing OK, but its twin on the other side of the door is really struggling. I know these shrubs can do well in my yard because I have one on the side of the house that went from this size to over 7 feet tall in 3 years. This one has grown about 3 inches in the same amount of time.

The large hosta is Gold Standard. I don't know the name of the smaller hosta. I got it from a neighbor, and it's grown very robustly. I plan to divide it next spring and move some to the Azalea Bed where I have a collection of small hostas. The pot contains Gartenmeister Bonstedt fuchsia and coleus. And for ornaments, I have a strategically placed hose reel (center) and some unplanted babies (far left). I love the honeybee stepping stones I got at Surreybrooke Nursery. Five make a perfect path from the walkway to the hose bib. The sleeping cherub was a gift from my dear friend K. 

Here's a closeup of the hosta. I hope you've enjoyed a slightly wider perspective on one of my garden beds.

Comments

[Chiot's Run]

That's quite lovely. I really love the yellow/chartreuse hostas! They really brighten up the corner of the garden they're located in.

[Gail]

Thoroughly enjoyed it Kim! I've often thought of hoing up on the roof to give a better perspective of the different beds. Btw, the hosta makes a big statement and I love what it says! You know, your rhodies would look great at C&L, but they sure don't like the conditions! ...Don't we all have horrible design mistakes! gail

[Sylvia (England)]

You are right, I do like this post Kim. It is lovely to see the wider shots. I have a hosta that is really too large, I had to 'prune' it to give other plants a chance! I will need to divide it sometime.

Looking forward to the next post. Best wishes Sylvia (England)