In hindsight, it is not surprising my first attempt at a Lasagna Garden was not successful, after all, the Chicory and Bugloss were in mid-bloom and their long tap roots do not transplant well.
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| Viper's Bugloss |
Last summer, with some experience under my belt I redid this new bed in what I hope will be a lovely naturalized perennial bed...now if only I can recall what I planted 6 months ago!
First step this time was to build some edging to keep the soil in place then build up the bed.
To keep the amount of soil I had to bring in to a minimum I added quite a bit of organic material - just look at all that gorgeous free organic soil amendment washed up on shore in spring alongside an old railway tie. The small bits of twigs, bark and pine needles will breakdown quickly in the soil.
The soil resembled a forest floor as much as a typical garden bed, and why not? The Lakefront Garden is a very natural, low maintenance design and the appearance of the soil will become a moot point once the plants fill out.
I planted tall Asclepias at the back, alongside the tree, and Purple Liatris immediately behind the daylilies, both purchased at end of season 50% off pricing as they were both past blooming but should come up fine this coming season.
Buttercups and Daisies (and possibly some Rudbeckia) harvested from the side of the road round out the planting. It was not much to look at last summer but I hope that this summer it provides some relatively maintenance free blooms for our renters.
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Hi Derek..the Nature Notes is up at ramblingwoods.com .. Michelle
ReplyDeleteThanks Michele, I have updated my blog directory on my site to you correct link.
DeleteWhat a lovely vista. I love the stone border you've used. Thanks so much for stopping by The Maple Hill Hop!
ReplyDeleteTrue Daisy, you sure can't beat the view.
DeleteWhat a beautiful setting!
ReplyDeleteI use the "lasagna" method to establish some new beds with mixed results. Worked great in most areas, but trying to cover lilies ---disaster.
I think they can rise from beneath concrete!! Lots of digging to get rid of them...........
:(
I have just used it to get rid of grass and it has worked well. I am not surprised to hear how persistent lilies can be!
DeleteWhat a great place, Derek - it would be fun to rent, I bet. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love how naturalized this looks next to the shore - and you know what a big fan I am of layering rather than digging, so you know I'm fond of your technique!
Nice to see you again at the TGP!!
Jami, for some the garden does not even look like a garden, just a palce where a bunch of flowering plants have chosen to grow, and that is just the look I am going for really.
DeleteWow...great view...I hope that the snow ends soon and we can really get into gardening... Thanks for linking in Derek....Michelle
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting Michelle, yes it is a great view isn't it?
DeleteI bet that liatris is going to look gorgeous with the daylilies!
ReplyDeleteI will have to ask renters to take photos and share them so I can see how the oranges with the purple background look. If I get some I will be sure to share them.
DeleteWhat a lovely, lovely spot! Those mauve liatris and yellow orange daylily and fiery milkweed combos will be very striking! I'm looking forward to seeing it all in bloom, Matt
ReplyDeleteThanks Matt - let's hope I get the renters to share them with us!
DeleteMakes a nice natural garden. I have a hill behind my house that was planted by nature. I haven't changed it, love it just the way it is. - Margy
ReplyDeleteMargy thanks for stopping by and sharing. Glad you enjoyed.
DeleteA beautiful lakefront garden! Must be a wonderful colour combo.
ReplyDeleteIf i didn't make notes all the time, I would never know what I have got in the garden...
I was not good at making my notes last fall and now I am paying the price, remembering bits at a time. Oh well, never too late to write it down, I can always update when they bloom.
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