An update on my garden (pics)

[DixieDreamer]

I have tried VERY hard not to inundate all of you with pics of my garden this year... but I can't resist an occassional picture post! So I thought I would share a few pics of how my new garden beds have been shaping up.

If you remember my new garden beds project - I wrapped up the installation of garden interlocking stones with the addition of soil (which needed HEAVY amendments) and finally an initial planting of mostly annuals for this first year. I did plant some very specific perennials - but the intent is to continue adding perennials as I see the beds develop and "wanting" - augmented with annuals to infuse color and variety.

So the front bed looked like this when I last reported on it to you:

<center>

</center>


Today the yellow daisies have been flourishing and blooming almost non-stop, the red verbena has been vibrant and low fuss, and the blue bedder salvia that I started myself are doing very well. The blue bedder is taller than I was thinking initially and in hind sight - I would select a lower growing spired purple/blue to intermix with the red verbena. Here is a close up of the various plants as they are now growing.

<center>

</center>

<center>

</center>

As you can see... it filled in nicely.

In the adjacent beds I have planted several low growing pink carpet roses that will fill out and provide a swath of color while being low maintenance. I intend to add some cascading yellow or marmalade colored roses to add more vertical interest - but I will do that next spring. In the mean time, I planted a large section of "Love Lies Bleeding" or Amaranth that I started from seed. In front of it is a low growing section of very light pink/purple Alyssum. The "Love Lies Bleeding" is a beautiful old annual flower that provides interesting "tassles" to add to a flower bouquet. The following are pictures of my plants. I tried to get a closer view of the flower stalk - but the wind was blowing hard when I took the picture and it came out kind of blurry. (sorry!)

<center>

</center>

<center>

</center>

Finally, in the back two tiers, I planted a variety of annuals and a few perennials. This is what the tiers looked like when I last reported on this project:

<center>

</center>


And now this is what they are currently looking like:

<center>

</center>

The annuals provide a great deal of immediate color to these new beds while the perennials take the time necessary to grow and establish themselves. Here is a closer view of one of the tiers:

<center>

</center>

And a view of the annuals on the uppermost tier.

<center>

</center>

I really like how the majority of the plantings have worked out. I have things I will change next year, and additions to make... but this is a work in progress - and the fun is in the work.

 

[olena]

Don't be shoy about sharing! They're just beautiful.....

 

[Snowwark]

Dixie, your pics are always so lovely, please, feel free to inundate us with them............
Whenever I've planted salvia, it has always exceeded my expectations, height wise.
I really like the blue/yellow/red combination.

Thank you!

 

[Mamu]

Dixie the new beds look lovely. It's amazing how much they brighten up the landscaping of the house. Flowers take a ho=Hum yard and turn it into something that bright, cheery and inviting.

I love what you have done and thanks for sharing this very special part of you.

 

[TigH]

You can never post too many pictures of your flowers! GREAT JOB!!! Everything looks lush and healthy!

 

[Tulirose]

I always enjoy a walk through your garden and these new beds are no exception! Please keep posting. You have inspired me in the past and am in need of constant inspiration! I can honestly give you and others on this thread credit for getting me to move my butt and plant things! So, thank you very much!

 

[December99]

I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everything looks so awesome....if you don't mind me asking...what are those "blue" low flowers in the 8th picture around the geraniums??? I love those..and what are the flowers in the last pic????

I'm going to do hopefully two beds next spring and I'm already gathering info for flowers to plant!!!

 

[DixieDreamer]

December99 - the dark purple/blueish plants are an annual "Lobelia" and it is specifically the variety "Trailing Sapphire" - it is a good variety for pots and the edge of a wall - because it trails or cascades and has a nice deep color. The last picture is of some different Zinnias (also an annual).

 

[Glinda]

I always enjoy seeing your pics. Thanks for posting them. As usual your beds are beautiful. Wondeful blend of color and the wall is great. Really nice work. I particualrly enjoyed seeing your lobelia. Mine is not doing too well this year with the heat and drought.

You've inspired me to get out there and take some pics, thanks!

 

[TimNDansMom]

Your pictures are beautiful, Dixie and I love the colour combinations of your gardens. I wish my salvia looked as good as yours does, in fact something ate mine almost to the ground. That Loves Lies Bleeding is very interesting, how tall does it get? Maybe I can "squeeze" some in next year, if I can get it here.

 

[Barb]

Laura, the gardens look wonderful! You did a great job. I've always wanted raised beds like that, but can't convince DH that's the way to go! I have to show him your pictures! Thanks for sharing!

 

[DixieDreamer]

TimNDansMom - Love Lies Bleeding is a fairly tall and lush (large leaves) plant. Mine are 2 to 3 feet tall. The cascading tassles are a real show stopper though and add an interesting addition to a flower bouquet. This is an old heirloom annual that occassionally falls prey to root rot. I lost about 3 plants throughout the spring - but the majority have done really well and are flourishing.