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| From In the Garden |
May 2009
July 2009The summer progressed on and with all the great rain (not so much sun) the garden thrived. And even with the bit of shade from taller plants this garden flourished and gives me such joy I kept planting and planting...
Late September 2009Until the Sunny Perennial Border Garden couldn't hold one single plant more lest it would burst at the seems due to the sunlight it was receiving....or could it be due to the gardener's over enthusiasm with seeking the sun and over planting this garden?:) Time for a rework....
in the garden....seeking the sun.
in the garden....seeking the sun.
The first picture is really pretty and the last one shows just how full it is. I still have a bunch of room in the border beds of the veggie garden!
ReplyDeleteDawn, Lucky you to have room for more plants. Sounds like a plant shopping day;)
ReplyDeleteThe first photo made my heart leap..you know the gardener's heart leap when they see a beautiful flower garden? It's all full and lush, love every little nook and cranny of it!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Darla, You are most kind! Glad you like the sunny border.
ReplyDeleteTina, your garden looks fantastic!! Those before and after pictures are amazing! Your cannas and lantana are super extra beautiful, I don't know how you do it in the shade!
ReplyDeleteIt's that double digging and great garden heart that makes this garden grow so beautifully for you Tina! It is lovely! I love the trees here, but wish that 20 ago...I'd thinned them a bit! ...and what's with this November weather in October! gail
ReplyDeleteIt definitely looks like a happy garden. I bet the over planting may have served as a ground cover and kept extra moisture there which can definitely be a good thing! What is that concrete donut in the last picture? It looks pretty neat.
ReplyDeleteLzyjo, Thank you so much. It is tough with so much shade for sure but sun orientation is all important.
ReplyDeleteGail, Thanks so much. I am wondering the same thing about the weather. We went from A/C to almost needing the heat-unusual.
Dave, It turned out quite nice and I'm enjoying is so much. The concrete donut is something I posted on way back in 2007. I received a whole trailer full of these. Only two were intact and the rest broken in half. The two edge the entrance there to the vegetable garden. The rest circle the bananas in the veggie garden. They might at one time have been used for columns in a house perhaps? Never could figure it out. I just call them 'millstone' like things. You should come visit sometime-bring the family. I have dug some large pink brugs and would love to give you one if we can set up a transfer. Thanks for asking on the millstone thingy. It was like in October 07 I posted on it but can't remember what I tagged them as.
Your gardens filled in quite nicely --each plant finding the sunlight that it needed. Looks wonderful. I am always amazed at how large Lantana will get in one summer. I have a few that reseeded -- though a bit late for summer.
ReplyDeleteTina, you know I love this cottage look, especially in a sun perennial garden. I wish I had room for a "cutting garden" which I think yours could be. I like to have a place I can plant anything I want. It's such fun. I can't wait to see how you rework. Maybe with not so many sun lovers??
ReplyDeleteCottage gardening is definitely my favorite style, too, Tina. Love that first long shot! Even without enough sun your flowers look very happy here.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that in the south plants appreciate more high shade than they do in the north. Guess it must be true. Yours certainly aren't suffering;)
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Janet, The lantana is most happy here and all of these plants in my garden were wintered over from cuttings from one single 'Miss Huff'. They are splendid butterfly attractors so I'm doing the same next year though I hope some of the lantana returns.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I am keeping the sun lovers I just need to thin a bit. Sad but true these plants grow so darned fast. I do cut from this garden and others for inside. P.S. Forgot to tell you your granite is beautiful!
Rose, They seem to be happy and I am pleased with the way this garden turned out and am looking for better next year-love the sun for the plants for sure.
Marnie, I've limbed up the trees so that I can have high shade and it works fairly well. You are right about plants in the south appreciating a bit of shade-as does this gardener. But the key to light here is the orientation of my garden-east to west. I take advantage of that since the sun moves around so much. Some areas never see direct sun and others get a few hours. It seems to work-whew, lucky me.
Great looking garden Tina. It sure has filled out nice. Don't you love it when these beauties prosper with or without sun.
ReplyDeleteDown here the afternoon sun is too how for most anything.
Happy Fall.
Wow Tina, your new sunny bed sure did establish itself quickly! It looks really beautiful. How awesome that you did that with only one new plant!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sunny garden! I love the over planting. I wish had I more sun in my yard too. I've only got one small bed that gets full sun so I'm always drooling over the sun gardens that people post pictures of. -Jackie
ReplyDeleteI can't believe how fast plants grow in the south and how big. The cold nights sort of stunt the growth of my plants. I love these photos and how you showed the garden transformation. Good work, Tina, and mother nature.
ReplyDeleteRosey
Wow Tina, that bed matured in record time! I think a little shade is good for many things here in the south, in a normal summer, that is! Having plenty of sun, and space! is such a luxury. You have done great with what you have. Reworking is a good way to think about design too. :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
The border wouldn't have filled in so quickly if you had planted the wrong plants there. So, obviously, you got it right! It looks fabulous!
ReplyDeleteCameron
Wow, that sure filled in fast. Looks awesome.
ReplyDeleteWhat a transformation in one year's time! It looks wonderful. How did the Queen of the Prairie do?
ReplyDeleteOutstanding, Tina! I have the same problem with shade and have even resorted to trimming back a few tree branches. I sure do love that lantana - you've really picked some pretty ones.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe how nice and full it is. It's so hard not to fill in all that space, especially when you've been waiting for a nice sunny spot. It turned out really nice, I love your new (in that part of the garden) plants!
ReplyDeleteThe millstone-donuts would make great sedum planters! There's a plant swap at Henry Horton on Oct 16th if you're interested. A garden blogger meet would be just the thing for fall!
ReplyDeleteTina, the first picture tells it all. Beautiful Cottage Garden! You never cease to amaze me with planting “full sun” items in shade and they thrive! Your following the sun from east to west is so working for you. I dont think out too much in my garden. I just jump right in and do something then later may or may not regret not thinking it through. Now, some things I do think through and those things usually work well. I should slow down and think things through more often. LOL... Wow, did this get you to thinking? Hee hee… We had a productive and not so productive day in the yard yesterday. Oh boy, you will get a laugh out of the not so productive part soon to come… Rainy Day in GA today!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to find some sun for all those great sun-loving plants! In my young yard finding shade is the challenge, but give it a few decades and it'll be more like yours . . .
ReplyDeleteYour plants seem happy! The first picture is most inviting/welcoming and of course, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous! It looks perfect to me!!!
ReplyDeleteLola, Yes I do love it when my plants are happy. They like it here in the sun for sure.
ReplyDeleteLinda, Thanks. I have finally gotten to the point I can go 'shopping' in my own garden for plants. A good thing with all these gardens.
Jackie, I know the feeling. Boy it's easy to miss the sun when we don't have much.
Rosey, Things in the south do grow mighty fast. Of course all the great rain helped this summer. It's been wonderful!
Frances, It was a wonder to see this garden mature so quickly and amazingly. Not much of a rework-just giving plants more room-hate that as it means less plants of course.
Cameron, I push the limits on all my plants and have been most lucky they usually work out-these guys really worked out best with that sun for sure.
Mom, It is a most happy garden and I think I've got it right. I can see it from inside the house too so I enjoy it very much. You should see the butterflies.
Sweet Bay, The Queen is living large and doing fabulously. I need to give her more room as she will get quite large and grows similar to a peony. Next spring should be awesome. Do you grow the queen?I've only found two other bloggers who've posted it. (Kathleen and Joy)
Jen, It seems all I do is trim trees and while I don't mind it I'd like to see the job done but unfortunately those silly trees just keep growing:>>) I'd say trim a few to get some light-or maybe let your son?:)
Catherine, Thanks so much. I got a good shot of this garden and I am so happy it copied well. The gardens here seem to grow fast even in the shade but sun really gets them going.
Dave, I have put the plant swap on my calendar and will email you. I am not for sure I'll be able to go as it is 2 hours from me one way but since it is on a Friday it might be doable. Jimmy is on vacation that week and Mr. Fix-it might be off too so we may just make a trip of it. I'd love to see the park. I think I can scrounge up some plants too-including your brug if you'd like it. They are not for everyone but I think they should be:)
Skeeter, Your garden looks like it is well thought out because it is so well put together! I love it all and find the layout wonderful.
VW, Time will pass quickly and before you know it all those wonderful trees you have planted will grow in great.
Kanak, Thanks so much!
Linda, Thanks so much! I don't know how but it seems it turned out great-this one time at least:)
ReplyDeleteHey,
ReplyDeleteI've been following u since quite some time now. And I was thrilled & surprised to see such a lovely garden. You must be proud to own such a lovely garden. And hats off!!! to all the hard work & effort & care that you've put in. The result is clearly visible in the first pic.
Take Care,
Ash.......
(http://asha-oceanichope.blogspot.com/)
Ashkuku, Thank you so much for your very nice comment. I simply love to garden and do it a lot but the blog does not really do some of the garden justice-or perhaps it is my pictures? Not sure but it's okay. I work most hard on my landscape and do spend a lot of time on the upkeep and surely appreciate you taking the time to say it shows. Sometimes I wonder if anyone ever notices-ha! Noticing is a big reward for gardeners for sure. I am also honored you have chosen to follow our blog here. I don't post the following widget but occasionally look at it on the dashboard and I am always amazed when new followers sign up and like the blog. It is most appreciated!
ReplyDeleteBoy, can I relate. I don't have a place for a sunny border like that. Too much afternoon sun or shade. I can just imagine enjoying such a border. Happy gardening for you!!
ReplyDeleteMary Delle, Hello and welcome! The sun is such a nice thing for plants and boy do we miss it when it is absent. And Happy Gardening to you as well!:)
ReplyDeleteTina, I'll trade you my all day southern exposure for some of your shade! You've managed beautifully though..look at that lushness! I create planters under trees so that I can get some shade plants in my collection ;)
ReplyDeleteHey it's the plants' fault that the border gets overcrowded. If they insist on growing what can they expect. Why don't they stay the size they are when we first plant them. The size we see in our heads - which is why we put so many in to start with. They have no consideration!
ReplyDeleteLynn, Hmmmm, I need to think on that-nope. I like the shade but can you send me about a half day's worth of sun?:)
ReplyDeleteEG, Yes! That it the problem. Some gardeners would say it is good plants grow, but for me I want my garden to stay as it is when it is best and not grow. Ah, the thought of it makes me happy!
Isn't it fun filling in spaces? You did a great job! I always love seeing progression photos.
ReplyDeleteThat first photo is absolutely gorgeous Tina. It's also so hard to believe the sunny bed is new ~ it's so lush and mature looking. Glad you found a spot for the sun lovers, that's what I have the most of. I admire the way you tackle a project and just get it done. (and done right too). Very inspiring. Have fun re-working the bed.
ReplyDeleteSuch an abundance of plants in there, I love a garden positively overflowing! Congratulations on the success. Of course, it is gardeners' nature to continue looking for new places to plant, I bet you'll have even more garden beds next year.
ReplyDelete