In the front June grass and Monarda fistulosa with its pretty violet firework shaped petals. Then Echnicaea purpurea with its bright pink petals and in the back (west end) a mass of Rudbeckia hirta.
There is always room for improvement after a bed is created by seed. While last year the Rudbeckia took over the whole of the west area of the bed, it was never intended to have so much presence. To equalize the color scheme a variety of plants will be added this year.
Where the Rudbeckia hirta was last year, Echinaecea will be added next to the asters. Their seedheads will provide a dark back drop for the Bluebeard in winter. Since the monarda is such a hit with bumble bees I’ve left room for more.
On the mound the blue fescue will be moved forward to give room for the Caryopteris (Bluebeard) to fill out. Caryopteris is loved by bees and has striking structure in the winter. I don’t know if this will be its permanent home, or if it would sit better where originally intended next to the Weigela florida with dark leaves. The weigela needs to prove it will be happy in the spot its been transplanted to. To add extra brightness to the pallet, a dahlia will be planted in.
New Additions
I am excited to add the following plants to the scheme this year.
| Scientfic Name | Month | Stratification | Sow Location | Common Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anemone virginiana | March | true | Indoors | Tall thimbleweed |
| Aquilegia canadensis | March | true | Indoors | Eastern Red Columbine |
| Geum triflorum | March | true | Indoors | Prairie Smoke |
| Scrophularia lanceolata | March | true | Indoors | Early Figwort |
| Scrophularia marilandica | March | true | Indoors | Late figwort |
| Zinnia hybrida | March | false | Indoors | Profusion Cherry Zinnia |
So far the anemone and figwort are not germinating via my normal method of fridge cold strat and then popped into jiffy pellets on a heat mat.
Patio Changes
Need to plant the waterfall at the eastern edge of the dry pond, or northern edge of the mound facing the patio. A positive of the mound location would ensure the solar panel for it to run will get maximum Sun. If tall grasses are planted at east side of the pond, then the waterfall might only be heard and not seen. Plus having the waterfall and catchment area near the mound may allow water to be added to the catchment area via the sprinkler on the south side of the mound.
The entrance to the pond needs to move a foot to the right follow The line you see in the stamped concrete going straight out the edge zone should line up with that. This will also mean the blue flax will have to move which is fine.
Stay tuned for the plan for a focal at the fence.
Maintenance for winter
In FALL cut back all of the grass in the front ( June grass ) to a short flat top. This will provide a neater look at the front of the bed. The grasses facing the patio will remain full to provide a border for the jumble of seed heads I hope to maintain.
