This was once a problem area in my Laguna garden that I never could get quit right. I was always using the formula that had served me well in other beds in the garden with a couple foundation plants and the rest perennials, bulbs and tuber plants, groundcovers and succulents. For years this large slope along the north fence never looked good with struggling perennials and it was always consumed with weeds. Wildlife burrowed in from the untamed wild area on the other side of the fence and ate or dug up almost everything. About seven years ago I attended a gardening lecture regarding using azaleas in the garden and it changed the way I thought about this space and I proceeded to fill it with larger scale plants. Shrubs, flax, ornamental grasses along with, of course, some azaleas and camellias eventually transformed what was once a problem into one of the most attractive and easy maintenance spots in the garden.. Greens, burgundy and splashes of reds and pinks in the spring make it a lovely, calm area. Not all groundcovers need to hug the ground!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Shrubbery Solutions
This was once a problem area in my Laguna garden that I never could get quit right. I was always using the formula that had served me well in other beds in the garden with a couple foundation plants and the rest perennials, bulbs and tuber plants, groundcovers and succulents. For years this large slope along the north fence never looked good with struggling perennials and it was always consumed with weeds. Wildlife burrowed in from the untamed wild area on the other side of the fence and ate or dug up almost everything. About seven years ago I attended a gardening lecture regarding using azaleas in the garden and it changed the way I thought about this space and I proceeded to fill it with larger scale plants. Shrubs, flax, ornamental grasses along with, of course, some azaleas and camellias eventually transformed what was once a problem into one of the most attractive and easy maintenance spots in the garden.. Greens, burgundy and splashes of reds and pinks in the spring make it a lovely, calm area. Not all groundcovers need to hug the ground!
I have a sunny bank fully exposed to deer that's in full view as you drive in our driveway. I"m working on more phlomis, lavenders, santolina, etc. Shrubs to the fore!
ReplyDelete"Not all groundcovers need to hug the ground!"...I will be using that quote!
ReplyDeleteFascinating. I'd love to hear more about the transformation of this slope. I like it!
ReplyDeleteLove the texture and the beautiful simplicity; low maintenance makes it a slam dunk. Thanks for sharing the concept.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam, I'll look for some old photos to see if there are any pictures to compare.
ReplyDelete