A Glimpse at the New Northside Berm

Choosing plants suitable for a new planting site is a lot of fun. If you're like me it requires lots of thinking. Probably too much thinking for normal folks. I am guilty of over-thinking. It also requires loads of research. And we all know even doing the proper research can offer conflicting information about the habits and needs of plants. But it is worth making the effort, assimilating the information and being reasonably sure BEFORE you make purchases and begin digging.

Red Powder Puff, Calliandra haematocephala~~ The only foundation plant I chose that isn't cold hardy to at least 25 degrees.

When creating a new space it is helpful to know what expectations you have from the area.

The idea of erecting a fence the length of our backyard has never appealed to me. Although many of our neighbors do have fences of some sort delineating each property line. Ours has always been wide open immediately to the north and the south on either side. I prefer the openness. Even so, I had been scheming to create some sort of natural barrier between us and our neighbor’s yard to the north. Not that I want to keep them out. Or us in.

It was more about appealing to the aesthetic value of framing that side of the back garden.

With the help of construction trucks running through my vegetable garden and into the back yard to dig a new water well for us in January all the mess they made actually jump-started me into some schemes I had conjured up in my mind last summer and fall.

You can see in the photo above the over-sized, above-ground portion of the well casing. My hope is that someday it will not be so visible. An eye-sore but like the well-diggers kept telling me, "you gotta have water". And they are right about that. The up-side is the handy location of the spigot for the back garden.

Tea olives are not the prettiest plant on the planet. At least not in Florida's climate. I'm pretty sure we are on the outer edge of the zone requirements. Still... they are worth their weight in gold for the immense fragrance produced from the tiny white clusters of flowers that are in bloom most of the year.

Having had my eye on them for a while and trying to figure out where to locate one or two at Hoe and Shovel it seemed fitting to purchase three of them to plant atop the new berm. They are slow growers, long lived, and cold hardy.

Cold hardy was a requirement for all the foundational plants going into this new planting bed.

It was my desire to incorporate some palms for what I consider a bit of a change of pace for Hoe and Shovel. Yet I felt they would blend in nicely with the existing environment. They would be my specimen trees if you will. Did I mention they had to be cold hardy!

The three I chose are each slow growing, cold hardy, and will only reach a mature height of around 20 feet.

• Chinese Fan Palm, Livistonia chinensis has large bright green leaves that are dramatically divided. Cold hardy to 15F



• European Fan Palm, Chamaerops humilis has fan shaped green leaves that grow more upright and stiff much like a Saw palmetto Serenoa repens (which I love, too). Cold hardy to 10F.



• Pindo Palm, Butia capitata has blue-green long, arching leaves. Pindo is under-used in our area as it is cold hardy to 10 F.

Florida Palm Trees has a most useful site with tips, ideas, and great information displayed in easy to use format when searching for a just-right palm for your garden.

The Coontie Palm, Zamia floridana is not really a palm although it is palm-like. It is a cycad. So I'm not really counting it as one of the palms I chose even though 5 more coonties were added to the new berm because the planting bed it links with also has coontie growing.

I like to mirror some plants for continuity that are growing nearby while introducing new ones for interest.

Rather than using the same plant for the entire border I decided to blend in a few different varieties. Making use of one of my favorites, Variegated Flax Lily Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata' it went in the length of the curvy front side. The side that faces inward toward the rest of the garden. Except for a few feet at the transition where this bed links to the next bed. There a blend of Liriope muscari 'Evergreen Giant' or Giant Liriope and Liriope muscari variegata or Lilyturf was incorporated.

Is your head overloaded yet? There's more. Oh, so much more than you likely want to know. But this is my journal. This is where I keep track of the projects. I'm happy you are tracking with me. We'll have more of a look-see in the next post. Lots more plant files coming up...

Front Lawn Renovation 'Revealed'

It doesn't take long for the butterflies and bees to find new nectar plants. Soon after the crimson red Pentas were planted the regular visitors made a stop by the brightly colored attracters.

What a flurry of critter activity the newly planted front bed has invited as more turf was exchanged for plants. Extending the menu and adding a few new choices has caused delight for them and for us.

Not all visitors come to sip. Some come to chomp. The Tersa Sphinx Hummingbird Moth cat has taken down an entire branch as it grows to a long and plump whopping 3 inches. It's okay with me, soon it will bury itself into the ground for a couple of weeks to become another pretty flying delight.

There are many factors to consider when beginning a new planter bed. This particular front garden project was especially interesting as it borders the street we live on. A designing element which I found provokes some consideration beyond the routine backyard bed. The yard is slightly-sloping downward to the street. It is a west facing sunny spot from mid-morning until late afternoon. A factor I don't deal with any where else except in the veggie garden on the north side of the house.

Once the shape of the bed was determined the first order of business was to dig up all the sod and you can read about that here. This monumental task was achieved slowly over a week's time working the early morning hours (first day July 3) and the late evening hours when the days' schedule allowed.

Side note: So many of you asked to see the 'reveal' for this area even though every plant is in its juvenile stage which offers very little to be impressed with in performance. This is one of those posts that runs on and on with detail a non-Florida gardener will likely not appreciate. Feel free to scroll through the photos or read word for word if you like. I sincerely appreciate that you've taken a few minutes out of your day to drop by. It was tedious to write even for a chatty gardener like me who can 'talk 'about plants all day long. I'm aware most don't have time to "read" and we like to see photos and move along. Believe me, I would have been happy with throwing up some photos and saving my brain power. LOL This will be one of those posts I end up referring to for the sake of record keeping as this area develops to maturity. Feel free to leave a comment and let me know your thoughts... whether you read or look... it's so delightful to hear from you.

Whenever I start carving out more grass its important to blend the new area with the rest of the garden and yet to create a planting design that stands on its own with unique and interesting features.

Sounds strange I know, but the inspiration and spark that got this challenge in gear was the plan to use as many of my own plants as possible. The two plants that got my creative energies flowing and served as a launching point for the choices of plants to follow were the two that would bond this sight with the existing gardens. They had to go in first in order to see how much space was left after their placement.

Creating the interior border I used the easy-to-grow, easy-to-maintain variegated beauties I've come to admire and depend on so much throughout the garden. In went 65 starter-size divisions of Variegated Flax Lily, Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata' dug up and divided (seen above) from the back gardens. It is my habit to plant young divisions just far enough apart to allow room for growth but closer than expected to avoid any ground or space between each clump once the plant reaches its fullness.
Its strappy, light green and cream leaves add just the right amount of brightness I wanted for the border.

A " winding ribbon" of Liriope 'Gigantica' dug up from a pathway that leads the front garden to the back garden went in after the Flax Lily border. My intention here was to weave the curving Liriope ribbon in a direction almost opposite but just off enough not to appear exact opposite of the outline of the border plants. I hope you can see what I mean in the photo above. There are some elements in any design that should be unpredictable- maybe that's just me.

Curving the Liriope deeply into the corner away from the border accomplished two things for me. 1) It gave the awkward, harshly squared (far) corner of the new space a bit of softness it lacked and 2) it offers a sense of having delineated areas within the widest portion of the bed .

Once those two plants were in place, I felt as if I could introduce some brand new choices. Plants I've had my eye on perhaps but didn't have a good location for them. Oh, there's still room for more cuttings and transplants but prospects for adventure, too.

We're ready now for 20 newly-shipped purple Muhly Grass 3-inch plants shipped from Santa Rosa Gardens. This gardener is very used to crowding plants closer together than recommended spacing. So it was with utter discipline the grasses were placed at least 2- 3 feet apart allowing for maximum expansion upon maturity. Placing them on both sides of the curvy ribbon of Liriope further softened the deep, square corner and added to its new personality. An element that won't fully be appreciated until the planting bed matures.

You may remember the story of the free mulch? A convenient layer of yummy oak chips was being added as each section of the planting was completed.

It was time for a trip to the garden center.
Oh, I was so tempted to put lots of flowers and blooms in this sunny location. But I kept my head and remembered my goal to add mostly Florida-friendly plants and natives. This way I'd have a really good foundational planting bed that will last through every season without too much fuss. Later when I see how it fills in I can add some fun annuals if I choose.

Zamia floridana or Coontie plant is perfect for xeriscapes and as a low maintenance ground cover and foundational plant. As a slow grower it will take just about any type of weather condition Florida can throw at them. Whether it be drought, frost, heat, or humidity they will persevere. They are a little pricey averaging $25 each. My favorite little local nursery sold five of them to me for $15 each because they were "small". Worked for me.

Three Duranta erecta 'variegata' were also added for the light green and cream foliage variation in the space. I'm so all about foliage versus showy flowers and what will attract butterflies and birds these days.

For the street-side edge ground cover Florida Friendly Gold Sedum, a hybrid brought here from Europe by the helpful folks at Riverview Flower Farm's Florida Friendly Plants. (Thank you, Rick- I LOVE this plant.) With its brightly colored chartreuse softness it will spread quickly and adds great texture and drought tolerance to the outside border.

Speaking of Florida Friendly expert Rick Brown over at Riverview Flowers Farm's Florida Friendly Plants blog ... I was convinced from another of his recent posts that Bulbine Jelly Burn Plant would be a favorable addition to the street border as well. So far it has not disappointed... for ease of transplant, adjusting to its new sunny home, and now has begun to shoot up its yellow/orange blooms. I bought one 3-gallon plant and divided it into 3 before ever placing it in the ground. It should spread and blend in nicely next to the Florida Friendly Gold Sedum.
All along-- meaning before I even started this project-- I had my hopes set on placing a small blooming tree in the narrowing section of the new bed where the ground levels. After much research and then literally running out of room for one, I decided on an in-between option. A (very) fast growing Cassia Alata has turned out to be an unplanned focal point. It was two feet when planted and now stands taller than 5 feet. That's over 3 feet of growth in about 8 weeks. Yikes. It's going to be a fun one to watch (and to keep pruned) over time.

It was particularly attractive to me for its unusal texture of foliage and knowing it serves as a host plant for sulphur butterflies was a big draw. It is commonly referred to as candle plant because of the shape of the blooms. In this short amount of time, blooms have shot up from the new growth and sulphurs have been seen dropping their eggs. Good things in a garden!

Taller, Bushier Shrubs for the Level Ground
It seemed appropriate to keep low and spreading plant choices next to the street because of the slightly downward slope and visibility. But when it came to the section that levels off and narrows into the neighbor's existing border, some taller picks were in order. Two native Hamelia patens, Firebush chosen for their reddish stems and red and yellow tubular flowers that are so appealing to butterflies and hummingbirds were a must. In the fall they provide berries for the birds. I have several in the back and knew I wanted more in this expansion. Completely unplanned and unforeseen, a nicely sized and well-priced Clerodendrum ugandense or blue butterfly bush found its way onto my cart while browsing around my favorite local nursery. Even the strongest will sometimes gives way when strolling through the garden center.

Can you see the resemblance to a butterfly in the sweet individual flowers? As with most Clerodendrums it can get out of hand in height but can be kept in check by simply pruning. It roots from cuttings easily and flowers almost continually in our climate.
A view of the progress as of July 12- day 9 into the project.

Plants Rooted from Cuttings in Anticipation of a New Home

A few transplanted seedlings from cuttings of colorful foliage plants we favor at Hoe and Shovel were added for filler. Three Strobilanthes dyerianus, Persian Shield went in next to the red pentas and the Blue Porterweed.

Cuttings of Hibiscus acetosella or maple-leaf hibiscus add more texture and color. Its leaf color is, for this zone, uniquely deeply hued all year long. Its blooms are not particularly showy. They are the same color as the plant. An intriguing virtue that attracts me to it. Besides, it loves the sun, it roots from cuttings, it grows very fast and will come back quickly after a frost.

To fill in one of the curvy spaces I moved (from the back) two Rudbekia hirta ... Black-eyed Susans. Purchased at the native plant nursery way back in April, they weren't performing too well in my less-than-exciting wildflower patch in the back. Even now, not showing significant progress, they are at least blooming in their sunnier, sloping new home.

Almost the last thing to do was to remove that final strip of grass next to the street. It was left during the length of the renovation in order to keep the soil and mulch from washing out with our usual pattern of heavy summer rains.

Natural stones were placed side by side the length of the new planter bed to serve the same purpose of retaining the soil and mulch for years to come.

Feeling the need for additional ground cover I added Evolvulus glomeratus blue daze across the front after the stones were placed. My idea is that it might tumble over the stone a bit for cheery color next to the street.

Project Completed

There were 39 transplanted Society Garlic curved behind the Flax Lily in a few places, 18 Agapanthus transplanted curving next to the Cassia, lots of rain lilies transplanted beside them. I almost forgot, 5 Agastache Black Adder shipped from Santa Rosa Gardens were added. A very new-to-me plant I wanted to try in this climate.

On July 22 the project was completed.

Turns out those anticipated summer rains that were supposed to help get everything established were scarce during these weeks. So there was much attention given with a watering hose. But now that every thing is well underway and nothing has been lost, there is no need for hoses or extra watering. Ahhh... the goal of low-maintenance gardening has been accomplished!

A few Gaillardia (bottom left corner) left over from seed pots in the spring were put in a corner to see if they might be happy in this location next to the street.

This is definitely the largest planting bed I've tackled (from nothing) at one time in my garden. All the others were done gradually, systematically enlarging smaller beds that I started over the years.

A view from the driveway reveals the tightly clumping Florida Fantasy Caladiums that sprouted up quickly in the summer warmth. They are in front of the Agapanthus transplants.

This was a very fun adventure. Already I can hardly remember how miserably hot it was. LOL

Thanks for hanging in with me.
If there's an award for The. Longest. Post. Ever.

I WIN.

Have a wonderful weekend! Meems

Illuminations

Days' End

Every now and then when I least expect it the setting sun will back light the magnificent westward oaks. Friday evening was a such time. This kind of sky happens more often in the fall or the spring, but here we are in the middle of summer. From inside my home a glimpse of the brilliant orange and purples caught my attention through the front windows. Instantly, dropping what I was doing, I was propelled outdoors. These kinds of things call to me. It was impossible to watch from inside... I had to feel it, to give it my full attention and breathe it in. The balmy hour still filled with humidity, the trees silhouetted by the brightness and me with camera in hand trying to hold on to the simple wonders of God's handiwork.

Days' Beginning

Most of my mornings start out with me spending at least a few minutes on my back porch. It is fascinating to notice how the first rays of light shooting through the tall oak trees spotlight different plants at different times of the year. For the last couple of weeks I've been noticing the purple fountain grass is blooming quite happily which makes this gardener just as happy. Purposely placed in the back of the garden due to its height, it is a straight shot view, from where I sit to its location in the SE corner of the garden. Those first rays of the morning cause the dark purple leaves and burgundy-red, longarching plumes (12-15 in)to light up like little rays of sunshine themselves.

Purple fountain grass; Pennisetum setaceum 'Purpureum' is larger than other cultivars growing to 5 ft tall. At Hoe and Shovel it is placed between a large planting of plumbago to the left and 5 ft tall mystic (or indigo) spires to the right. The layers behind (not visible until one walks around to the back of the curvy bed) include purple butterfly bush, orange lantana, bush daisy, african iris and marigolds. We tend to crowd in every sun-loving perennial into this last of the sunny spots. In the foreground is the chartreuse colored potato vine I love so much for its vibrance but have to continually trim it back else it would be on top of everything. Then there is purple queen spilling over the barrier into the flax lily, what's left of the zinnias, and white queen caladium.

Before and After: Part II

This particular project began in 2006. Isn't gardening like that? It's a growing thing. Ha!

As I work my garden much of the joy & satisfaction is in designing and improving as I go. We'll identify this area as the SE Corner of my back garden. In this post I'll continue my before and after series highlighting some gardening renovations/additions I've gotten my hands dirty with since January 2008. Hoe & Shovel revels in the picture perfect weather of Florida winter and now spring.

So back to the SE Corner project.
I had a few goals in mind for this project when it began in 2006:

1) Firstly, was to remove the drake elm (obviously not pictured) that was growing here but was unfairly being crowded out by the oak trees.

2) To create a full-sun area where I could grow some plants that love direct sun. Most of my garden is either shady or partly shady.

3) To create a bit of architectural interest by using the bricks you see in the photo. This would hopefully provide more visual impact and draw the eye and some wandering feet further into the garden. All the bricks used here were formerly edged around a different large bed in a single layer-(they had served their purpose well there, too, but it was time for a change).

4) To add some large boulders/stones for texture and more visual interest.

side note: Florida doesn't harvest natural rock and stone of any interest. It all has to be imported which makes it a bit pricey so we have to go easy on these purchases.

Once the wall was built I hauled in 2 yards of dirt to fill in behind the wall and leveled it at a small existing berm beyond it. I also hauled (with 3 men helping- bless my family & neighbors) the stones placed among the plants that weigh 2 tons all together. Initially my plan was to extend the bed further back but I stopped short when I ran out of dirt and time.

Which brings me to 2007 Phase II of this project.
October 2007 I felt energetic about finishing my original design. The potato vine needed more space to travel freely and I needed more space to plant even more sun-loving perennials (considered annuals in some zones).

Above: Once I sprayed the back side grass with round-up and dug it out I put in a butterfly bush, several lantana, moved the fountain grass back a bit away from the spreading plumbago, added some african iris, dwarf petunias and a border of variegated liriope.

Which brings me to 2008 Phase III

I never mind getting rid of barren, weak, or weed infested grass. But here the grass is quite fine. The problem: I am not fond of the mildew the wall seems to attract AND I wanted to soften the appearance of the stark wall just a smidge. I don't want to use chemicals to keep the wall free of mildew. SO, in February I decided to expand the bed in the front by using the lasagna method of layering newspaper over the grass rather than killing it with round-up. I'd heard about this method but not ever tried it.

To see the full scale 'how-to' on this method take a peek over at Mary Beth's Cultivating Paradise. She did it right. I actually had some dirt left over from my vegetable garden project so I only used dirt to pile over the wet newspaper- I wet mine after I laid it down. This method seems to have worked fine in this small area.

Above is a close-up of the area I created in front of the wall. I purchased three variegated Flax Lily Daniella Tasmanica Variegata and split them into 6. There are three Lavandula behind the lily. I may have to move them to a drier location but I can't tell yet. This soil is so rich it holds water fairly well. Once our nights warm up I will get a better read on the Lavandula's response to this location. And lastly, I sowed a patch of Zinnia seeds to create some height and hopefully help acheive the softening affect while blending into mildewy wall on first glance. Oh and there was the sod I moved to make a nicer 'green' path behind this bed.

Above is a broader view for the overall effect. After a very fine pruning, in just a few short weeks I can expect the Purple Queen and the chartreuse Potato Vine to be trailing happily over the wall. The blue plumbago behind it should be back in bloom. The Nile Lilies (Agapanthus) should be shooting up their tall stalks of blue purple pom-poms and the caladiums will provide variations of color. Beyond the bed the purple of the Princess flower and the red of the Jatropha tree will tower above for more color.

I think I'm finished with the SE Corner bed. I'm finally satisfied with the overall look. Oh, I'm sure I probably shouldn't say that here because before you know it, I could easily be hauling in some more dirt and digging away at more sod.

Isn't it always the way of a gardener?