The north (NW) side of our house is an area that I rarely used to look at. Back in April of 2004 I decided that I needed to do something on this side of the house. There is only one window on this side. So I had a big blank white wall to deal with. I placed a Forest Pansy Redbud tree here with the birdsnest spruce that already existed. The other larger shrub I planted was Sunkist Arborvitae. In between and around went the hostas 'Striptease' and Francis Williams. There are divisions of other hostas, astilbes, Cigmafuga,Iris, Ferns and Daylilies. This is also where there are several native plants like Jack in the pulpit, Mayapples etc. This is how it looked after the initial planting.
This spring I took a photo of this side of the house. It has filled in nice. It actually could use some dividing of the plants. Ferns had bullied their way into the mesh. The poor Forest Pansy Redbud split last year. There isn't much of it left. I keep thinking I would replace it but as long as it sits there looking good I will leave it.
So it goes for my first before (April 2004) and after (June 2009). I will look forward to seeing some of your projects.
I would love to have a Forest Pansy redbud but I don't know where I would put it. This looks beautiful. The hostas look so healthy under the tree. It is lush and has filled in nicely
ReplyDeleteWonderful makeover, Lisa, but the only thing that lacks for my eyes is flowers. This is only my view, but still the lush green looks fantastic.
ReplyDeleteYour Forest Pansy does still look good. I wouldn't even have known that it has split. I like your lush, woodland-style bed. It looks so cool and green to these summer-baked eyes.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa! You did a great job! I had a similar situation - long garage wall with one window.For a vertical effect, I planted climbing hydrangeas. Among other plants are hostas, bleeding heart,ferns, etc. I hope my border will look as good as yours in a couple of years. Yours looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteWould you come and do some borders for me? Oh, bring some rain when you come! We could use it. :-)
ReplyDeleteIn BBC Gardener's world of this month, they give ideas for a dry border, and I think it could work in my front garden. So I hope we'll get enough rain in september/october to dig the Xmas roses out and move it to a better place, and plant some grass and euphorbia instead...
ANyway, you border is great, as your window containers.
What a difference. I know those ferns can be bullies but they just add something that nothing else can quite match. A setting that includes ferns makes me feel cool, refreshed, and peaceful. You did a really nice job.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Oh it's just beautiful. So lush and green, it has a feeling of coolness about it.--Randy
ReplyDeleteYou've made quite a transformation here, Lisa. I love the lush green look of hostas and ferns. Are those some cinnamon ferns I spy there?:) I would join in except I didn't think to take any photos of my "befores." Once I started blogging, though, everything gets photographed:)
ReplyDeleteWow, Lisa, that looks really great. I love the redbud. Isn't it gratifying seeing how much things have changed over time? I showed changes in my front garden in this post a while back, if you're interested: http://gardenfaerie.blogspot.com/2008/11/ch-ch-ch-ch-changes.html. When I saw how bare the house was when I started, I almost cried because I don't think I'd ever buy it again looking that bare, knowing all the work it has been! ;-)
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteInteresting to see the progress on your redbud - I wonder why it took a turn towards the house?
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI love it. Those hosta leaves are making me very envious... if only they could grow here. And I do admire the way you've used those pretty ferns to give you a little height and variation in form and texture. You must like walking over to that side of the house now... so peaceful.
Meems
wow this gives me hope for my projects that are slowly but surely coming together. your after picture is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa....that really does look lovely. What a huge fern...what is it??
ReplyDeleteThat is my sort of planting.....it has filled in well and everything looks lush and healthy...
Good project with good results......
Nice post Lisa!
ReplyDeleteWow, I would love to see that depicted in time lapse!
Very nice planning AND planting!
Hi Lisa, try this link instead for my before & after post.
ReplyDeleteWonderful comparison, Lisa! It's a great lesson on how quickly well-chosen plants can mature and knit together to create a beautiful border.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it was interesting to read your comment about your 'Forest Pansy' redbud splitting. We had the same problem with a previously beautiful specimen of the chartreuse 'Hearts of Gold' redbud at work this year. It was about the same size as yours seems to be. How disappointing, especially because these things aren't inexpensive.
Time, love imagination--beauty. What a transformation. Love it, Lisa.
ReplyDeleteLisa...It looks so lush, so quickly. I love the look of ferns! Great job.
ReplyDeleteLisa, this is a beautiful project. The older I get the quicker 5 years goes by. Now when I think about a new project I am not so worried about instant completion. I can't wait to see other entries in the Design Challenge. It always presents so much good information and inspirataion.
ReplyDeleteYour planting is perfect for that area. I love how lush and full everything looks now. (You know how I love shade gardens.) I hope your poor Redbud survives its damaging experience.
ReplyDeleteWonderful way this area has filled in. All so pretty too.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to let you know the "bird dropping" caterpillar is of the Giant Swallowtail. It was on the Garden Rue.
Sherry
RE your comment at Rose's, I gave up on the Burbank book, finding it a bit academic for my needs, though I quite enjoyed speaking to the author in person!
ReplyDeleteWhat a transformation! And, in such a short time. Kudos to you and that green lushness says 'serenity' to me.
ReplyDeleteWow! Love the before & after shot.
ReplyDeleteLisa, your garden looking great!
Lisa, having seen the after in person, I can say your photo doesn't do it total justice. What yoou have is gorgeous. And you have made that side look as wonderful as the rest of your gardens.
ReplyDeleteNicely done! Love the ostrich ferns!
ReplyDeleteLisa, wow, that's quite a stunning makeover! I'd say you achieved your goal and then some. If, like me, you have lots of flowers elsewhere, I enjoy seeing a "green-only" bed.
ReplyDeleteWhat great photos. So lucky you took the early one. I love the change. You did wonders with that space, Lisa
ReplyDeleteLisa, How wonderful to have photos from the beginning of a garden bed creation! It's very exciting. The bed looks great...btw....the ferns are spectacular and isn't it a shame about the redbud. (I love mature Forest Pansy but so far none have made it to maturity in my garden!) Forest Pansy red is perfect against the white wall. gail
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed seeing the outcome of your project. Gardening isn't something that I do a lot of, but I love plants, and I do think about it a lot. One of the things I like most about walking around town is checking out everyone's yards.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful portrait of change over a few years, Lisa. Nice eye for problem solving, and i love all the cool green textures.
ReplyDeleteIt looks great, Lisa. Your ferns and hostas look so healthy. I would let the ferns be the alpha dogs in there, since they want the job anyway. HA My Forest Pansy split also, I thought it would die for sure, but it looks better than ever now. Funny how that works. :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
That is definitely one successful project! I would leave the redbud. Forest Pansy has such great leaves and I think it looks very attractive and lacy.
ReplyDeleteWhat a transformation! It looks very lush! And what beautiful red earth too.
ReplyDelete