flowers

Transitions

The grotto pond area is taking shape nicely with the addition of plants in and around the pond. We put a Mexican papyrus, a blue-green sedge, and a ribbon grass into pots and placed them on rock shelves in the pond. I also scattered ivy, creeping thyme, potato vine, and white impatiens into the rocks surrounding the pond. And I placed some potted plants around the perimeter of the grotto to soften the edges and to add more green to the area.

The courtyard is transitioning from its spring look into its summer appearance. The knock out roses continue to push out new foliage and canes along with a continuous show of blooms. The caldwell pink and fairy roses now have their first wave of blooms, and the new dawn and Belinda’s dream are blooming as well. I transplanted a Zexmenia that had been growing where the retaining wall was built into the north courtyard bed next to a pink knock out rose, and it is looking very happy with its new home. The echinacea are sending up blooms, and I planted some yellow and dark purple petunias, and a yellow osteospermum for added color. Clearly spring is almost over here, and summer will be in full swing soon.

This dietes bicolor was a gift from one of our clients. I like the creamy color of the blooms and the dark green spiky foliage.

Some of the other new plant installations include caldiums, impatiens, and begonias in the shady front porch bed, begonias, potato vine, and impatiens in the shady backyard zen garden, and chandler strawberries.

Now I need to spend some time running drip irrigation to all these new plants. Otherwise I will be spending my time watering all summer.

© 2009 Lost Valley Gardens.