Friday, September 25, 2015

A Big Change for my North Border (Next Year)

This photo, taken from an upstairs window, shows a rough outline (using a garden hose) of my planned new border shape, as well as the existing North Border. (The far left end of the existing border extends beyond the new outline to the edge of the photo, but it was entirely filled with weeds, so I mowed it off.)

I've been thinking for some time now that I need to totally redesign my North Border. This large border, 60 feet long by about 12 feet deep, has been beset by problems from the beginning:
  1. This is the border that I see from my kitchen window, and because it is a perennial, annual and bulb border, there is nothing for me to look at out there for about half the year.
  2. It's been hard to find enough tall perennials to fill the back third of the border, so that part has been taken over by weeds. In fact, it's not just the back third, the middle section is hard to reach and not tightly filled with perennials, so weeds reign.
  3. The left (west) end is in shade by noon from the large ash tree at the left side of the photo, so it's been hard to get anything to grow or flower in that area. Cue the weeds.
  4. The long rectangular strip shape of the North Border doesn't match very well with the newer curvy island shapes next to it. I would like to the bed shapes to relate to each other more cohesively.

So my plan is this:

  1. Reduce the length of the border, eliminating the shadiest 6-8 feet at left, to increase sunlight and flowering in the remaining border.
  2. Next spring, move the better performing herbaceous plants from the existing border into a new, smaller, curvy front area (perhaps to be called "The Summer Border"). 
  3. Plant only evergreen trees, shrubs and perennials in the existing border area (which could be called "The Winter Border"). Perhaps with a rock or statue or other permanent hardscape features for winter interest.
  4. Heavily mulch the entire back area (the current existing border) with wood chip mulch around the evergreen trees and shrubs, to inhibit the weed problem. 

In winter and early spring, I would have the evergreen border and hardscape feature(s) to look at. I got the idea for doing an all-evergreen border from a photo I saw on Houzz.com:

This photo from Houzz.com provided me with some ideas for my own Winter Border. This border is called the Vermont All-Season Color Garden, and is a good idea for a place like Vermont that has especially long winters. (The warmer parts of Vermont are the same hardiness zone as here in southeast Iowa -- Zone 5B -- but the northern parts of the state are in Zone 3B, which can get as cold as -35F (-37C)!) Our growing season is longer than theirs, but winter still lasts too long in my opinion, and some bright colors and green foliage would be nice to see in the depths of winter.


I'm not sure that I will plant quite so many trees and shrubs as are shown in the Vermont All-Season Color Garden (it appears to be a bit crowded, and I'm not sure what will happen when the trees grow in size). And in addition to conifers, I think I might try to include some evergreen plants that are not conifers in my Winter Border:

  • shrubs like holly and rhododendrons
  • perennials that often maintain their foliage over winters -- last January, I noticed that there were a number of perennials that kept their foliage in my gardens: dianthus, Iberis sempervirens, phlox subulata, Veronica spiccata, lamium, Polemonium, hellebore


Those evergreen plants would give me something to look at in winter. In late spring, summer and autumn, the herbaceous plants and annuals in the front section (the Summer Border) would grow up in front of the evergreen border and provide the flowering that I crave to see out of my windows, and as that section is smaller than my current border, it would be easier to maintain and to contain enough plants to crowd out weeds (I think I will mulch the front section too this first year, while the plants establish themslves). 

I might leave the tulips, daffodils and other bulbs that are already planted in the back area between the evergreen trees and shrubs that I will plant next spring, so that I can enjoy them in spring, and the herbaceous foliage of the Summer Border will hide their withering foliage as it grows up. I might also plant some very early flowering bulbs there too, such as crocus, rock iris, early daffodils and maybe winter aconite. The idea is to have the back area have the green and other colors I want to see in winter, as well as the earliest signs of spring in late winter. 


You can see the edge of the outlined area at right. I think the new curvy shape will fit in better with the curvaceous bed shapes of the North Island and Yellow Garden at left.



While I was up the taking photos, I thought I might get one of the fields surrounding our house before the tall, golden corn is harvested. A quintessential Iowa scene.

Anyway, my work will certainly be cut out for me next spring -- but it makes me happy to have something new to plan and think about over the coming winter.

Does anyone have any suggestions for colorful conifers that are readily available, and for non-conifer plants and shrubs that retain their foliage in Zone 5 winters?

Thanks for reading! -Beth

15 comments:

  1. I am, of course, no help at all to you, but to say how wonderful to have all that space and to have dreams. I like the Iowa shots very much.

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  2. I think the new outline of your border is very nice, I revised a part of the garden last year and made a border with the same lines and about the same size. Only the planting will be different at your place, I had to take into account the existing huge Magnolia and Abies, but if you have acid soil I think Rhodedendrons will be very nice together with some conifers. I have Camellias here, but I´m not so sure if these will survive in your climate.
    Last phot with the fields is so beautiful, you sure live on a beautiful place in the country.
    Have a nice Sunday.

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    1. Hi Janneke, That's interesting that you made a new border last year with the same outline. Thanks for your suggestions. Unfortunately, I don't have acid soil, although there are some rhododendrons that will grow here if I add acidifier to my soil. And no camellias here -- not yet, anyway. I tried to plant one that was *Almost* hardy enough but it didn't make it through the winter. But I have no doubt that hardier ones are being bred as we speak. Someday.... Thanks for reading! :-) -Beth

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  3. Hi Beth, I like your ideas, and love the Houzz photo of the Vermont border. I think our favorite Wisconsin gardener might be able to provide ideas on conifers! :)
    I too am always thinking and planning for the next year, to improve the garden. I planted 7 new peonies last week and have some hardy hibiscus and lilies coming soon. Enjoy your wknd!!!
    Beth

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    1. Hi Beth, How exciting that you have planted so many new peonies, hibiscus and lilies -- all three are so beautiful. I can't wait to see what they look like next year. And yes, I will definitely be seeking the advice of our conifer authority and friend in WI :-) Thanks for stopping by! -Beth

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  4. I really like your ideas! I live in MN so am having the same issues with nothing to look at in many of my beds for a big part of the year. I think your idea of making it curvaceous to complement the other beds nearby is a good one. I don't have any great recommendations on evergreens, unfortunately, as I am newly dipping my toes in that plant group myself.

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    1. Hi Elizabeth, Thanks for visiting my blog! I'm looking forward to reading yours as you post. Glad to hear from a fellow Midwesterner and homeschooler! -Beth

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  5. I can't wait to see this garden's transformation. It will be so wonderful to have more structure and interest throughout the year. I love how your gardens are always evolving!

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    1. Thanks, Stephen -- I'm so glad you stopped by, and thanks for your encouraging comments. -Beth

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  6. Hi Beth.... there are so many things to say about your post that I'm afraid it could end up being a book, so I'll wait until we get another opportunity to talk gardening face to face! I noticed your comment about "heavy" mulching around the conifers. Only this week I have been warned by a conifer expert to be careful as the root systems need good air... I just completed my new "conifer nursery" where I have used two to three inches of mulch away from the root systems, with only thin mulch for appearance over the roots and definitely none touching the small trunks where rot could be an issue. I love the photo from Vermont and must say that the Manchester area is one of my favorite parts of Vermont and I've visited there frequently.... you brought up plant placement and this has been an ongoing concern for me... I'm still not entirely certain how conifer people handle this.... some move plants as they get crowded while others just take some down. I will say that Iowa is a treasure trove when it comes to conifer people and gardens that feature them... the first undertaking almost certainly would be to become very familiar with the size classifications as put forth by the ACS.... I'm rambling....maybe if we get to Iowa later in the fall, we can visit... still really wanting to see your place.... by the way, my most exciting conifer purchase this season has been Pinus strobus 'Louie' in terms of both hardiness and color to date.... not sure, but I think it turns a bright gold over winter.... time will tell.... the last two years have been an odyssey in terms of conifers for me... I have to admit making mistakes and losing $100's of dollars in plant material.... but all lessons learned and part of the learning curve journey... if I can help share what I'm learning in any way, do let me know... friends, Larry

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    1. Hi Larry, Thanks so much for your words of encouragement and advice! I remember the 'Louie' from one of your recent posts and noted it as something I will look into getting. And that's a really interesting idea (in your next comment) about growing acid loving plants in non-acid areas of the country. And of course Brian and I would love to see you and Sarah, if you're driving through the area -- I hope to see you and hear your thoughts about my new area if you're here. Thanks so much! -Beth

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  7. I was just reading through the comments on your post.... especially about soil ph.... if I were starting over, I would totally berm every garden area.... the biggest thing I've learned in the last few years is the importance of good drainage... with most plants, it is primary!! When it comes to Rhododendrons, you could totally create an environment above your existing soil that would reflect their needs since they are shallow rooted.... I also believe some people grow them in straight bark....they absolutely need a moist, well drained environment, proper ph, and excellent air to the roots so I mulch with pine needles... just some thoughts... L

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  8. I have no shrub advice to offer since I'm in zone 7A but I love the new shape of your bed. Perhaps putting in larger quantities of the same plant would give you the impact you're looking for. I also think berming them is a great idea.

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    1. Thanks, Casa -- I'm glad you like the shape of the new bed area. I'm sure you're right about larger quantities. A big effect is the best for a garden designed to be seen from a distance, as this one is. Thanks for stopping by! -Beth

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