Trials and tales of a not-so-advanced gardener--both in the dirt and beyond.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Project Digging: Labor Day Weekend Landscaping


I finally got the courage to make some substantial changes on the landscaping in front of my house. Since buying my home last May, I've not really cared for some of the plants in the front of the house. It's somewhat difficult to see in this picture, but up against the house were some low evergreen shrubs and in front of those were some barberry bushes (that didn't get enough sun). In the spring there were some old tulips that threw up a leaf or two and even fewer that actually produced a flower.

So for the past week, I toiled over what to plant in this area and finally came to a decision and a plan of action. First we got everything out of the way... including a huge tree stump left in the ground from years ago. And then went to work on the soil (and amended it with homemade compost) and planted some really great plants.

In the back are Hydrangea arborescens 'Incrediball' which will grow to 5' tall with a 4' spread. Best of all they produce 10-12" balls of blooms! In front of the hydrangeas are hosta 'August Moon' -- I chose these because of their almost lime green color. And finally there are some deep purple/dark green coral bells in the front.

I'm going to finish this with some allium 'christophii' amongst the hostas and some smaller bulbs in the front. The big containers are filler for this year.