Sunday, March 01, 2015

PLANNING SESSION - old sun garden





Today while relaxing in the tub I planned the replanting of the Old Sun Garden, i.e. right-hand side, beneath the windows.


Unfortunately it had to be ripped out last fall due to construction. I committed to preserving its idea and building on it, after all, it was (ironically) the one part of the garden I felt I had right.
Nevertheless this is still an opportunity to purposefully improve on where I had casually ended up. 


Heliopolis grow window-height but no more, are easily pruned (for variable bloom times) and are prolific self seeders (which for now is good but one day I may regret), all solid reasons to retain them, limiting them to the back, immediately below the windows to keep them in check.

In front of the their bright yellow, daisy-like blooms a row of taller, transparent grasses. Height v. transparency? No question. I choose height; the taller the grass the better, certainly some Heliopsis will manage to show through. Along with the grass will be purple Iris from the Sun Garden and of course daffodils for spring interest.

In front of the grasses: a combination of Purple Liatris and Blue Sea Holly.
I first saw these two beauties together in a garden designed by my friend Jess Dixon.  
I think my heart actually skipped a beat
Stunning. 
I wanted it. A lot of it.
Now I shall have it.

They are tall plants for the front border but I would like it to be clear to everyone they are not passing between gardens, but rather passing through a single garden, and height is one tool to reinforce that feeling.

Check back with me in the summer to see if I am true to my vision.

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Sharing with Today's Flowers

4 comments:

  1. Your nasturtium is beautiful! Any tips for growing it?

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    1. I started the Nasturtium from seed directly in the garden. This year I sought out a dwarf variety so they would not take over the whole garden and I also learned not to fertilize them because that will lead to too much green.

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  2. You have a wonderful garden Derek, and I do love your Purple Liatris and Blue Sea Holly. They fit together so well. By the look of all these gorgeous flowers you have an incredible green thumb. Thanks for sharing with Today's Flowers again. Can't say enough how much I appreciate it.

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    Replies
    1. Denise if I have my way I just may have an entire border of that plant combination. It may be overkill, but maybe not - there may be only one way to be certain!

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