Here’s a picture of the flowerbed beast that must be tackled.
As you can see, it’s a bit, um, shady back there.
And here’s the deal: I didn’t get a dadblasted thing done in the backyard today. Because I went to the grocery store just like I planned and then came home to find the oven repairman here (so why does our oven smell like fish? why, he has NO IDEA! that’s repairman #2 with no solution!), and then I realized that we didn’t have any gasoline for our lawn mower, only that was supposed to be Step One in my backyard project, so then I took a picture of the flowerbed because A PICTURE, AT LEAST THAT IS SOMETHING, and then I hopped in the car and picked up the little man from a friend’s house and took him to soccer and fixed some supper and gave him a bath and got him to bed and now, NOW I HAVE TIME FOR THE FLOWERBED, ONLY HOLD ON, IT’S DARK.
Oh, internets. I am a terrible disappointment as a landscaper / flowerbed restorer.
But I do hope to redeem myself with a plan.
Said plan is as follows:
Tuesday: Get gasoline for lawn mower. Mow backyard, then weed and rake out the flowerbed. Turn over dirt, add new soil, and collapse.
Wednesday: Happily abandon plan to entertain the five year-old and a friend who is spending the afternoon with us.
Thursday: Plant things. Then mulch. Bore the internet to tears with many photos of the rehabilitated flowerbed. Skip across the yard, basking in the satisfaction of a job well done. Contemplate why I’ve taken up skipping after twenty some-odd years of no skipping. Shrug shoulders. Then skip some more.
So it’s going to be a very exciting week. As you can tell. What with all the skipping that’s on the horizon.
Anyway, before I start this process, do any of you Southerners have suggestions for shade-loving plants? I know hostas will work, but we have tons of those in our backyard already, and I wouldn’t mind adding a little variety.
Just so you know, my ideal plants are inexpensive, low-maintenance perennials.
I also enjoy plants that are billowy.
But not hostas or ferns.
And other than those six very specific criteria, I have absolutely no plant preferences at all.
See? I am very laid-back.
{ 71 comments }
← Previous Comments
My mom is a Master Gardener and so I’m having to defer to her for advice, as I can’t grow anything but weeds. :)
She said that you should plant a variety of perennials that bloom in different seasons so that you’ll always have something pretty to look at it you want something with flowers. We live in Texas, not sure how much different it is from where you are, but she suggested for early spring that you plant DIANTHUS along with FOXGLOVE and for summer, English LAVENDER with LILY OF THE VALLEY.
There are literaly TONS of plants that work well in shade – these are just some of her favorites.
Best of luck!
Impatiens and Caladiums. But, since I’m the 1000th comment, I magine you’ve already heard that.
Wish I was there to help. But, it’s a long drive from Edmond, OK to where you are. But, I’m sure you are worth it :)
Your garden will be loverly…I just know it!
I have always wanted a rhododendrun. They are basically a bush, but omg the flowers!! I saw them in the Poconos (sp)and have wanted one since. Minnesota conditions being what they are – I asked the plant center. She said no, too cold here. They need sun/shade and are a perennial. Have I mentioned the flowers!! Holy moley they are gorgeous.
Good luck with the skippng and planting.
Hugs,
Marie
OK, while everyone else is offering you lots of flowery suggestions, I’m rolling on the floor laughing. How luck us strange bloggers: didn’t get to the project, but doggone it I got a picture and a great post out of it! The only thing I would have added to your schedule – me being, well, me – is a stop at Barnes and Noble to find a book to READ about your project.
Thanks for sharing your days with us!
Sorry…that was supposed to read how LIKE us strange bloggers. And now that I think of it, I’m wondering if it isn’t how like WE strange bloggers. Sigh.
We have a very shaded area right by our front door. I ordered a shade garden from Spring Hill Nurseries in 2006. This is the third year for it, and the plants are beautiful and require no maintenance. They even replaced a couple of plants that didn’t make it.
At the same time I planted the shade garden, I purchased 2 sets of 3-for-$5 hostas at Home Depot. They are now HUGE! I posted a picture of them recently on my photoblog.
I don’t know a dang thing about gardening. Soooo, you’re on your own. Wait, no your not, you have all those people above me to help you. See, the universe doesn’t revolve around me.
You might want to consider Brunnera and Spiderwort, especially beautiful in Spring and Toadlily for later in the year. http://www.stonethegardener.com/shade/toadlilly.html
Here is a complete shade garden
I have not even one bloomin’ (no pun intended) tip, but I LOVED your list and cannot WAIT to monitor your progress.
You also left out that you will need at least ONE Sonic diet Coke per day.
And I think you need to plant some Toadlilly just so you can say you did.
I have some gorgeous coral bells under the tree in my front yard. They’re nice – a maintenance-free perennial. I got mine at Lowe’s.
Lily of the valley. It’s not a colorful plant but I really do love the way it looks. My great grandmother had it in her yard. I also like vinca but be careful—it spreads fast.
I wish I could add value and help you with plant ideas, but I am definitely lacking in the green thumb department. I just had to tell you I like your blog!
Genny
http://www.mycup2yours.com
i absolutely love this blog. so refreshing.
i can’t wait to know how the day of digging goes – i am thinking to break ground i will need to get something with a motor. shovel work stinks!!!
and today is my b-day :)
I ain’t got nothin but some hosta!! Horticulture is not my area of expertise.
But, I so can’t wait to find out what you’ve done! :)
I am sure a million people have told you already, but I have had GREAT luck with elephant ears. I bought the cheap little ones at Wal Mart and they have been gorgeous the last 3 years. I also have good luck with impatiens and ferns (usually asparagus or macho)
Impatiens. They love shade and come in beautiful colours!
I gotta jump on the impatiens bandwagon. (Or as my Japanese mother calls them, “impatients”.) She is also a big fan of “hibiscuits”, but I believe they need some sunlight to thrive. Also, I believe with all my heart that every garden should have at least one thing in it that is INCREDIBLY TACKY. This just adds southern charm. Metal yard art in the shape of children or bronco riders fits the bill nicely, but there are oh, so many others! Good luck with your garden…I’m off to shop for some garden gnomes –preferably ones that hold a toadstool umbrella that doubles as a sprinkler head!
Hydrangeas. I have one that my mom bought me at the grocery store 3yrs ago for Mother’s Day. It’s now about 3ft wide and 2-3ft tall. I’m convinced it would be twice as big if I hadn’t been determined to make it a sun-loving plant and blistered it slap to death in the August sun in Texas. Twice. So, see? They are hardy and love shade. Be warned that they die back to sticks in the winter, so you’ll think you’ve killed it. But it should start putting out green buds around Easter. Hope that helps!
I love me some pentas in my shady yard spots. They are easy to care for, they bloom their guts out, they come in a variety of colors and they attract butterflies! In my part of Florida, they are perenniels. However, I’m willing to concede that perhaps they don’t survive farther-north winters. I mean, we barely have winters here, for crying out loud!
Here you go!! You can get $20 of free plants from Springhillnursery.com-just pay shipping! And they even have shade gardens already planned out!
← Previous Comments
Comments on this entry are closed.