Late Summer Perennial Border for Sun
You've all seen the garden I just bought. Well, this is the backyard I'm leaving behind. When I got here it was just arborvitae a mess of a hazelnut tree. Some of it is still fairly new and not filled in, but the middle of the back border along the fence is one of my favorites. I really want to recreate this at the new place, so I hope you'll indulge me in documenting it here.
Well, maybe not with the stumps, though. I got those for Rocket Boy, but he almost never uses them, and every time *I* sit on them I get some kind of nasty uber-itchy bug bite. Ants, maybe?
The other thing I might change is the variegated grass in the back (Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'). I love the exuberance of it, and the height, but it's not very well behaved. It wants to fall all over the other perennials, the edges of the leaves cut my arms when I get back there to weed, and it dies back in the winter, leaving a huge swath of fence to look at.
So I'm thinking maybe a barrel of bamboo instead. I have some golden bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea) that would work, though it wouldn't be vareigated. I'm also considering a variegated elderberry (Sambucus nigra 'Aureomarginata').
The border is on the Western permiter of the back garden, so it gets lots of morning and midday sun, then the back half is in shade by mid afternoon, and the front half in shade by early evening. Also, when facing ther border, the right half gets more shade than the left.
The color palette is mostly purple, dark pink, blue and rusty orange with splashes of chartreuse foliage. I wish I could say I did that on purpose from the start, but it just kind of evolved. The first thing that really clicked was the Matrona sedum next to the echinacea. I just fall in love with that combination all over again every year.
Anyway, the plants. In the back, from left to right are:
Buddleia 'Black Knight' - Black Knight Butterfly Bush
Iris 'Black As Night' - 'Black as Night' Iris
(Behind that is a trellis with a mystery dark purple clematis)
Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light' - Variegated Ornamental Grass
Nandina Domestica - Heavenly Bamboo
Verbena bonariensis - Brazilian Verbena
Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Worcester Gold' - Golden Leaf Blue Mist Spirea
Sambucus nigra 'Gerda' - 'Black Beauty' Elderberry
In the front, from left to right are:
Mystery Orange Crocosmia
Mystery Yellow Thuja
Iris pallida 'Variegata' - Dalmation Iris
A blank hole where a peony used to be that I'm taking with me (sorry, new owners).
Echinacea purpurea 'Magnum' - Purple Coneflower
Sedum 'Matrona' - Matrona Sedum
Hemerocallis 'L'il Grapette' - L'il Grapette Daylilies
Achemilla mollis - Lady's Mantle
I've taken so many pictures, and written these plant names down a hundred times. But I'm sure I'll still be standing there at the new border and scratching my head going, "Now, what the heck did I do before?"
And don't worry, I know the new border will be great no matter what I do. But it makes me feel better to know I at least have something to work from. I'd like to not repeat all the same 'learning experiences' at the new place! :-)
Comments (12)
Lovely! I'd expect nothing less from you. Are you in California? Jen
Posted by Jen | July 2, 2007 4:04 PM
Posted on July 2, 2007 16:04
Okay, I'm ready for you to do my yard!
Posted by Donna | July 2, 2007 4:38 PM
Posted on July 2, 2007 16:38
Angela, can't wait to read all the posts you will do about making your new garden! Looking forward to it.
Posted by Lost Roses | July 3, 2007 11:09 PM
Posted on July 3, 2007 23:09
You must be sad to leave your garden. But I think you're right, the blank slate you're going to does have a lot of potential. LOTS of work ahead. Whoohoo! It has taken 5-6 years to get mine to the state it's at. And I'm still not satisfied. Will I ever be?
Thanks for visiting Bumblebee--and for adding me to your daily visit blogs.
Stay in touch. And see you online!
--Robin (Bumblebee)
Posted by Robin (Bumblebee) | July 4, 2007 6:54 AM
Posted on July 4, 2007 06:54
Although it will be a bit sad to leave such a lovely garden behind, it is great to look forward to creating a whole new garden. So exhiting, don't you think?
Posted by Yolanda Elizabet | July 5, 2007 3:12 AM
Posted on July 5, 2007 03:12
I love your blog! I want to hrry and leave you this note, so I can go back and continue reading it and looking at your beautiful gardening pictures. When we moved 5 years ago, I had lived there for almost 18 years and the hardest part of leaving was leaving some of the plants and gardens I had spent so much time with.
Posted by Julie Size | July 6, 2007 6:35 AM
Posted on July 6, 2007 06:35
Are you already in the Portland area? I thought you were in California, moving to Oregon. Where in the Portland area are you? I'm in Canby.
Posted by Adrienne | July 6, 2007 5:50 PM
Posted on July 6, 2007 17:50
Hi I just discovered your blog while researching blogs and copyright infringements. Thumbs up for mentioning the issue. I, too have a cottagey blog. You can see my rant about the problem at my blog.
Good luck on the new garden
Barbara
Posted by Barbara Jacksier | July 9, 2007 5:04 AM
Posted on July 9, 2007 05:04
Congratulations on your new home! May your move be easy and stress-free (as one who has moved too many times!)!
Your (old) backyard is lovely...but I like your attitude. Life is always changing (like the garden)...so, on to the next thing, right?
I don't think you'll forget what the old garden has taught you...it's a part of you...it'll be exciting to watch the new one develop. All the best!
Posted by Gotta Garden | July 10, 2007 5:01 AM
Posted on July 10, 2007 05:01
Congrats on your move. I know how hard it is to leave a home & garden that you love. I moved to Austin from Florida last year and it wasn't easy. But I'll bet you'll make a beautiful new garden. Your new space has a lot of promise. It can be very exciting to start fresh.
Good luck!
Dawn
Posted by Dawn | July 10, 2007 1:07 PM
Posted on July 10, 2007 13:07
I bet your new garden is going to be just lovely!! You're so good at design for both inside and outside the home. I can't wait to see your garden when you have it all the way you want it.
Michele
luvkittysmeowmail@gmail.com
Posted by Michele | May 31, 2008 4:31 AM
Posted on May 31, 2008 04:31
Just subscribed to your site.
I am originally from Oregon (Douglas County) and hoping to return to the Portland (or possibly Eugene) area in about 9 mos or so. I am currently in Perth, Australia, but not caring for it much here, LOL, except that my house and my husband and my job and my car are here.
So longing for Oregon weather and water as it turns spring here. Loving looking at your gardens and looking forward to seeing what you do with the new place.
Mitzy in Perth
Posted by Mitzy | August 25, 2008 6:03 AM
Posted on August 25, 2008 06:03