Search for an evergreen

I realized that this part of my front border needs something.....too many mounding shrubs.  I am looking for a nice evergreen - something that won't get too big for the border. I know it will likely be expensive, but it is also a great spot to showcase a beautiful specimen.  I've also thought about adding a magnolia....

Secret garden in progress....

On the west side of my house, there is a spot where I can see a lake.  My plans have always been to create a small seating area so that I could enjoy that view.  So I am extending the front border around to the west side.  Originally, I thought about adding a circular patio, but the grass is nice in that area, so I am leaving the grass and extending the brick edging from the path to circle the grass and form my little seating area.  You can see that I brought my chair to the area - I wanted to be sure I have enough room and that the view is maintained.  I am planting tall shrubs on the south and west sides of the seating area and plan to plant some perennials near the seating area.  This will be a pretty little spot that you won't be able to see until you enter it from the path.

The blue shag in the top picture was a bargain that I found last summer.  It will get to be about 6 feet tall and wide.  This seemed like the perfect spot where I could really enjoy it, so I moved it in.  I have to "hide" the gas meter and the furnace venting with some sort of perennials.  And I think I want to focus on interesting foliage in this area.   

Tree line shrubs

These shrubs don't look like much now.  They are pretty small!  But the cotoneasters will grow to be about 10 feet tall and will nicely cover the bottoms of these Austian pines.  The dogwoods will grow to be about 6 feet tall.  I want to add some tall perennials, too.  Someday, this will look beautiful - patience, patience!!

Celebrating the little things......

Somedays, I need an attitude adjustment! I've been feeling like I haven't gotten much done in the garden.  So when I see butterflies enjoying the ligularia or these lilies in my front garden, it makes me feel like I am making progress.

Hosta flowers

Some hosta flowers distract from the beauty of the hosta plant.  This hosta has beautiful foliage and a not so pretty flower.   And sometimes they distract from othe plants in the garden - for example, if you look at the posting of the astilbe - can you imagine them surrounded by the spikes of hosta flowers? 

Don't be afraid to cut out your hosta flowers - it won't hurt the plant and it can make your garden look better. 

Mislabeled shrub

I bought this shrub when it was tiny.  It was labeled as a doublefile viburnum, which is a zone 5 plant.  But a friend who has grown doublefile viburnums (in zone 5 - she currently lives in zone 4) gave me the news that this is really a Autumn Jazz viburnum.  I was disappointed, but also glad to know that this is not the shrub I thought it was before it gets too big to move.  It will find a new home in the back border, as it will get to be over 12 feet tall.

Lungwort or Pulmunaria

One of my favorite plants for shade is the pulmonaria or lungwort.  It is on the right - the plant with the polka-dot leaves.  It blooms in early spring, but looks great all summer.  I love the contrast it provides to hostas.  The leaves are fuzzy, which also contrasts with the smooth leaves of the hosta.

Ligularia

The top picture is a large ligularia called the Rocket.  It is about 3 feet tall and it isn't in full bloom just yet.  The bottom is a small one called Dragon's breath.  It is only about 18 inches tall.  It has lovely foliage, making it a nice addition to the bed even when it isn't blooming!   

Astilbes - Key Largo

These Key Largo Astilbes add some color to the hosta garden.  They provide a nice vertical accent in contrast to the horizontal branching of small the dogwood tree.

Happy Endless Summer

I moved this Endless Summer hydrangea from the south side to the northeast side of the house.  It is so much happier in this spot! 

Lilies, echinacea, and a wildflower

The white flower in the group is one I got from a garden club member.  It has almost taken over this area and I will probably need to take it out before it chokes out the purple coneflower (echinacea0.