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:)

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

YOU ASKED FOR IT! (part 3)

Nancy (ladyinthehills), left me this question. I already talked to her on RMS, but I have some more suggestions for her since then.

"I am planting a slope in my yard with perennials. Already had lavender,threadleaf coreopsis, sedum and euonymus planted around groupings of rocks and small boulders. Went crazy at the garden center and have planted purple coneflower, black eyed susans, cranesbill, and petite bee balm. Have been keeping pinks with pinks and purples, and blues and yellows together. I'm planting in drifts of 3 a little closer together than I know I should. I need to hold in the soil and I'll gladly divide next year if necessary! Am I going to have a mess here or are 3 plants per type enough to flow as far as color goes??? Dare I put any more types of plants in here or should I just go to 5 of each type already planted??? Will try to post this little hillside on my RMS space tmr. Help, Help, Help! I'm getting worried about this investment. Nancy (aka:Ladyinthehills on RMS) "

I told Nancy that if this were my garden site...I would plant my bum off! I would add lots of perenials to the area ...they will help to anchor the soil so that the water will not wash away your soil and mulch.

I am a more is more gardener. That for me means that I plant everything very close together and lots of it. This means that there will be less weeds, and the ones that appear, will not be as visible. (I hate weeding...I like to put things in, but not pull out)

I have taken the liberty to add a list of additions to Nancy's garden that I think would work wonderfully in the scheme she is using.

Monks Hood (Aconitum)
height: 24" to 6' spread 12-18" flower color: purle, blue or white. Blooms in late summer.

Artemisia ( silver mound)
height: 6"- 2'. Spread: 12-36" flower color: althugh inconspicuous, they flower yellow. This is a foliage plant. The contrasting shades of silver and grey are the main feature.

In the fall you can cut this off and use it for an out door wreath. It looks wonderful and will have a slightly minty scent.

Lupine
height: 18-36" Spread: 12-18" flower color: white, cream, yellow, pink, orange, purple, blue. some will be bicolored. Blooms: early to mid summer.
Thyme (wooly)This is a photo of wooly thyme. I love the way it spreads out and holds the soil in place. It also smells wonderful when touched or walked on.

Be sure to check with your local garden center for hardiness and placing. I have used all of these in full sun and partial shade in the past with great success. These are all dividable after a couple of years, so you will always have some to share or increase the plantings with!

I do hope I have helped you some Nancy. Remember, I am not an expert gardener...just a girl with a shovel and a passion for plants. Not all of my advice may work in your zone, but I am happy to make suggestions and help in any way. Please be sure to post a picture of your space when the summer has had it's chance to work it's magic on the area!

8 comments:

artis1111 said...

I take the fast track. My post hole diggers.I guess I need to plant more. I hate weeds and it is too hard on my bad knee to get down and do it. Keep the flowers comming Tootsie. Wonder if I can pull a weed with a post hole digger. Kathy

PAT said...

These images are beautiful, Tootsie.

Thank you so much for the inspiration and thank you for reminding me of Artemisia (silver mound). I had a magnificent plant at the farm, but haven't tried one here. Maybe I'll do that. I have a great place for one, in the ever growing garden by the back porch steps!

Pat

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

Nice posting, Tootsie!! I would love to see pictures of your perenials. Have a great day!
Terrie

Anonymous said...

I'm taking your suggestions for Nancy to heart, too. We are way behind in our plans because of unusually cold and rainy weather in May. But that's ok, because now I have some new ideas. Am heading out to our garden center! Thank you. Fieldstone/Pam

Betty said...

Congratulations on your lovely potted flowers and bench area being top rated on RMS!

Betty

Buffie said...

I'm still dancin'~~~Go Toots ~~ Go Toots ~~ Go Toots~~lol, You SO deserve to be on the front page!!!! {{{YES}}}}!!!!! Buffie

Nancy Jane said...

Tootsie- Thank you so much for more great ideas. I'm going to head back over to the garden center tmr. and see how these plants do in my zone and whats on the lot. (The photos you found are gorgeous. I'm aching so much that I needed a shot of inspiration. Our spring has been so awful that I'm hoping they still have some of these.) The good stuff goes so fast! Had an off day because it was too wet outside and I had that dinner meeting at our house tonight, plus today is our anniversary! Thanks again dear gardening angel. I'll keep posting and let you know when my blog really gets going. Nancy

Anonymous said...

Hey toots Congrats on being front page news, Girl you are so good and I am so glad to see people have come to love ya like the rest of do. Hugs and smiles dear friend. and if you get tired of digging in the dirt there let me know I'll send you a ticket to come here.