Resting not upon her laurels, but her hoe, the Head Gardener agreed to be photographed with her latest creation. With the able assistance of FloraBob, the HG picked up and unloaded two yards of soil today. Time and energy ran out before she could go back for a third but all signs point to her doing so next week.
Here's another shot of the bed: about six inches of soil were added to the expanded areas of the existing beds to the left and right of the new area, as well as under the oak tree. Those rocks and bricks along the curb are just there to hold the soil in until a permanent edging is decided upon. Any suggestions?
Now comes the REALLY hard part: choosing what to plant in all those empty spaces! The Head Gardener is contemplating her options and pondering them carefully. The one thing she knows for sure is that she wants more Hinckley's Columbines. Since we're sticking with hot colors out here, the Head Gardener is thinking about more Anisacanthus, Salvia miniatas, Asclepias and Dicliptera. There are plenty of Copper Canyon Daisy plants that could be moved to fill in as needed. But will they take up too much room? Hmmmm. If she can find more of the native Ranunculus she bought at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center sale a while back, that would rock her world. So would more moss rock to edge the curve under the oak. Time for me to get off the computer and put the HG to work again!
Here's another shot of the bed: about six inches of soil were added to the expanded areas of the existing beds to the left and right of the new area, as well as under the oak tree. Those rocks and bricks along the curb are just there to hold the soil in until a permanent edging is decided upon. Any suggestions? 
Now comes the REALLY hard part: choosing what to plant in all those empty spaces! The Head Gardener is contemplating her options and pondering them carefully. The one thing she knows for sure is that she wants more Hinckley's Columbines. Since we're sticking with hot colors out here, the Head Gardener is thinking about more Anisacanthus, Salvia miniatas, Asclepias and Dicliptera. There are plenty of Copper Canyon Daisy plants that could be moved to fill in as needed. But will they take up too much room? Hmmmm. If she can find more of the native Ranunculus she bought at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center sale a while back, that would rock her world. So would more moss rock to edge the curve under the oak. Time for me to get off the computer and put the HG to work again!
Comments
Looks great. You have really accomplished a lot!
I don't know what I'd plant instead of the grass though. The front is very shady, so the things I'd like to plant (roses, small flowering trees/bushes/perennials, fruit trees, or a veggie garden are all doomed).
Thanks, Kathy! I'm eager to start planting.
MMD, I'm going to check out the rock selection at my soil yard and see what strikes my fancy. As for the plantings, I know lots of people don't like red and yellow together. I think including plants with both colors in the blooms makes the plantings work, though.
MSS, columbines would work in your front bed, as would some of the other plants I'm considering. Dicliptera, Anisacanthus and Salvia miniata all bloom in shade. Pigeonberry, too. And have you seen the small bulbs now known as Freesia laxa, formerly Lapeirousia laxa (I prefer the old name)? They naturalize and have charming little pinkish/red flowers.
Yours is the first blog I've ever responded to! I'm new to blogging.
I enjoyed your amaryllis posting and photos and left a comment there.
Frances
Katie, it WAS a lot of work and the HG definitely felt it for the next few days. All better now!
Frances, I like the way you think ... Stipa is one of my favorite grasses (your Muhly is another).
I think y'all have convinced me to do more stones along there. I'm playing with a couple of ideas in my head.
You have really made fantastic progress. I am so glad you mentioned Hinkley's Columbine..I think it is wonderful. Our native columbine is red and yellow. I had red and yellow together...red lobelia and The Susans...it was quite striking. Neither mind a bit of water either. Can't wait to see it when you finish.
gail
I can just see it now. It really helps to have seen your wonderful garden.
I agree with Liz--stones look great there. I also like the dry streambed look that you have on the other side of the front. You could do something similar here too.
See you in Chicago?
Robin Wedewer