Panicum 'Cheyenne Sky' waiting to be planted
So, a few days ago, I posted on my visit to Wind Dancer Garden...and touched briefly on the new grasses I had purchased. As you all know, however, I'm pretty much out of room in my garden...so where on earth was I going to put them, you may ask?
While many of them ended up in pots scattered around the garden, a few were destined to grace the garden itself. Along the North border of the garden, I have a narrow path (all that remains of the lawn that once surround the entire house). It's only a few feet wide and meanders between the main border along the sidewalk and the shady plantings along the foundation of the house. I've been slowly chipping away at it as I add more and more plants...although this may be the last few I plant...lest the path goes away completely!
I cut back the variegated Willow in the corner (I really should have coppiced it this spring) and dug up an area that should be large enough for these grasses. They are some of the smallest Panicums, only getting about 3' tall and 1-1.5' wide.
Voila...it's all planted! I can't wait to see these fill in and give a little more definition and bulk to a space that was a little "loose" before. Plus, they will add texture and movement later on...and look amazing in the afternoon light!
Here you can see the plantings in front of the new area, which really needs a cleaning up. The Epilobium is sending up sprouts everywhere...and those Iris need dividing badly.
Punky Cat gives his nod of approval (or, more realistically, indifference). What about all of you...how are you faring with recent plant purchases...especially if you have limited space?
Looking great Scott! Our project this spring has been to dig up the front lawn entirely. It's done; soil going in and 72 - yes, SEVENTY TWO plants waiting to go in. Oy, I better get out there!
ReplyDeleteOMG...72 plants...you just gave me a panic attack!!!
DeleteI say lose the lawn altogether, LOL... Looking great as always. I love that Panicum there. It's going to be lovely when it fills in. I've still got two trees to plant, an Aibes 'Horstmanns Silberlocke' and a beautiful ten foot tall Fagus sylvatica 'Red Obelisk'. I have a few perennials but the bulk of what I have left to plant are annuals and tropicals waiting for me to get the containers finshed
ReplyDeleteHahahaha...I keep removing it bit-by-bit, Deanne! The only thing that keeps me from doing it all at once is that our yard waste service will only tak 100 lbs of yard waste a week...oy!
DeleteAre those going to get enough sun there?
ReplyDeleteI still have plenty of lawn to remove for planting space, and I've already started some of that. More to come though. I haven't yet found a Panicum I love -- they flop for me, or look less than stellar. Not sure why... I thought they were fine in heavy clay soil?
Well....let's say yes, they will ;-) haha, actually, they will get more sun than a lot of places in my garden...it's just season-dependant. They will be in full shade during winter, but as the sun gets higher in the sky, they actually get a good 5-6 hours a day. Panicums can be tricky, but the shorter ones tend to stay pretty upright for me...as well as 'Northwind'. 'Shenandoah' grows in complete shade until June, and never flops for me...which is amazing!
DeleteIt looks like you have more grass that could be dug up! ;)
ReplyDeleteHahahaha...you have a sharp eye, Phillip ;-)
DeleteHi Scott,
ReplyDeleteI think many of us understand the feeling of chipping away! It's so hard not to and I don't think anyone can ever have a big enough garden to fit everything they want :)
Looking forward to seeing your grasses mature!
So very true, gwirrel, we always want space for more plants, don't we ;-)
DeleteYou are, as always, an inspiration. You actually buy plants and then find space for them. Amazing. I keep buying them and they end up living in their nursery pots for far too long. Eventually they find homes though. Crowded in here smushed in there.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha...well, I'm trying to be better about it, Peter, since my space is SOOOO limited, I have to really practice restraint...which is not nearly as fun :-(
DeleteI really like the combination of textures...so very nice. I am often looking for space for plants. So far, I have always found a spot.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha...I think a determined gardener can always find a spot, right ;-)
DeleteIf you take out the grass entirely and put a few stepping stones in, you'll have room for more plants!
ReplyDeleteI'm *trying* to purchase with an idea for where they will go and what holes I need to fill, instead of just buying anything that looks good. It's very difficult, but I did buy some and early-early spring and autumn interest plants today.
Good point, Kathryn! I seriously am considering it...trimming the grass is a huge pain...and more plants sounds just right ;-) You are so good to buy plants strategically...I've gotten better at that...I used to have absolutely NO spring interest, so I keep adding more and more each year :-)
DeleteLooks really good. I have a grass path like that, the remainder of the front lawn, and I too have been slicing away pieces of it to squeeze in just a few more plants.
ReplyDeleteOh , how did I not spot those Panicums .? II've been ripping out bits of my Platts black path today ! Things do grow out of control with all this rain and sun ,
DeleteIt's good, at least, to have that space to be able to dig up, right, Jason!
DeleteTo be fair, Linda, it's overwhelming when you're completely surrounded by plants like that, isn't it!
DeleteI've removed most of the lawn here Scott, and what I have left is a path--similar to your situation! My cats still enjoy laying on the lawn, so I will keep a spot for them, although they like laying on mulch in the garden too. I get tired of things and will dig them up to replace with new plants. Fickle.
ReplyDeleteWe gardeners are a fickle bunch, aren't we...I'm the same way...I usually try to find a new home for the plants...if possible!
DeleteI so totally agree with comments about ridding yourself of the remaining grass (100 lbs a week at a time). As mentioned, some stepping stones and more plants -- I'd be all over that in a heartbeat! Seriously, do you have to mow that skinny little strip? I finished my "hellstrip" project this week. Your project inspired me :-) I'll post pics this weekend sometime. Now....get digging that grass :-)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for your hellstrip reveal, Toni!!!
DeleteOne of the wonders of gardening is the ability of a determined and creative gardener to find space for favourite plants even if they deem their garden to be full. Looking forward to seeing how your new planting fill up later in the season.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha, isn't that the truth! I'm looking forward to that, as well, but I'm trying not to wish the time away too much ;-)
DeleteMy garden is small but I have learned to always keep a walking path to get into the garden without stepping on plants. In fact I could have a few more.
ReplyDeleteEileen
It's so true, Eileen...as much as I'd love to plant more, that path is SO USEFUL...and I'm always grateful for it when I have to get back there and work!
DeleteThe Panicum looks great in the spot you selected for it. We've removed 2 large sections of sod around the house we purchased 2.5 years ago and have plans to take out much more, leaving only grass pathways. However, that task currently feels daunting - maybe "chipping away" the lawn instead of tackling large sections all at once would be less overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely more do-able, Kris, but it takes a lot of dedication to go out over and over again...sometimes doing it in one fell swoop is the way to go...if you are able to!
DeleteI am chipping away at the grass as well to add new plants....of course I'd have more room if I got rid of more weeds :)
ReplyDeleteHahahaha...those weeds just never cooperate, do they!
DeleteSaved by the 100 pound limit (your back, that is)! How is it that I just keep planting but never reach the end? Oh yeah...that "plant lust" we keep hearing so much about.
ReplyDeleteHaha...indeed, it never ceases to amaze me that I just keep squeezing more and more in!
DeleteI just want to know how you mow that pathway. And where will Northwind go? And how have I never seen your podophyllum? You cram so much amazing stuff into your garden.
ReplyDeleteOMG, Heather, you're going to make fun of me (as you should). I cut it with a hand trimmer, on my hands a knees, a couple times in the spring. It's ridiculous, I know, but luckily, once summer hits, the lawn pretty much stops growing, at least. A Podophyllum! You had me looking all through the pics for the Podophyllum I didn't know I had! I think you might be looking at the Astilboides...unless I really do have a plant I didn't know about...if so, BONUS!
DeleteI was sitting only this afternoon - wondering what I was going to do with a couple of impulse buy Hostas. I had decided to lift a wee bit of turf myself. Great minds!!
ReplyDeleteI love the colour of your grass Scott - until I read what you had written, I thought it was Hakeonchloa.
Hahahahaha...yes, we are a determined bunch, aren't we, Angie!
DeleteLove the color of the grass
ReplyDeleteJust wait until Autumn, Rowena, it's GORGEOUS!
DeleteChipping away - I'll say, but so pleasant. The saturated color is amazing (not dull, so unlike everything in our lovely "dry heat").
ReplyDeleteYour lucky neighbors...and as your cat might say, lucky He let's you toil for Him...
Man, you really master the art of squeezing. Not one but six panicums! I like them, they are so acid green but they are supposed to turn maroon red, with summer, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteHi Scott, I didn't remember you having that bit of grass. I like the idea of taking the rest of it out and putting stepping stones in there. That grass is a pretty color already. I look forward to seeing your garden through the season.
ReplyDeleteI have been giving lots of plants away to make room for more plants that are somewhat native to our area. One minute, I think I have too many plants purchased, and then I get them planted, and see room for more. It's been fun.
Looks much better, and still plenty of room.
ReplyDeleteIt looks great! Yes, you divined my plant hoarding nature: I have a huge number of plants waiting to be put in. I'm liking your panicum grouping: one of my biggest problems is my inability to put in more than one of seemingly ANYTHING. Thanks for the lesson in groups!
ReplyDelete