Loved the idea of participating in the end of the month review as suggested by a couple of other gardening blogs that I follow. So here is my contribution - a rather barren January view of the newly expanded front border located under the bay window at the entrance to our house. The shrub roses are bonica, and there are also plantings of heather (in bloom!), sea thrift, and an old fashioned climbing rose (light pink bloom) which is unidentified as to type and species. Just out of view on the left, is an English lavender bush. There are some spring bulbs beginning to show, but overall the border leaves plenty of room for interpretation (and inspiration!) at the commencement of the 2011 garden season
I was thinking that this border would be a great place to grow annuals such as cosmos, alyssum, petunia, and salvia. The colour choices are already established in this border (shades of pink/mauve/white) and I'm thinking that these additions would complement the already existing plants (as well as look nice against the pink brick of the house and pavers). The border is drenched in sunshine for most of the summer, and I suppose I'm looking for a cottage garden effect - that wouldn't clash with the woodland and old growth forest surrounding the house.
Wonderful to have you join in on the EOMV, it is such a great way to track and share progress on the garden. Your plan sounds like a really good one, I can see billowing blowzy annuals fitting in really well. The only thought I had was, is there room for one small evergreen shrub on the right hand side of the bed to give more year-round structure? Do hebes grow on Vancouver Island? One of the neatly mounded ones, perhaps with white flowers, could fit the scheme beautifully.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your suggestions - I agree that a smallish evergreen shrub would be a good addition year round - does look awfully bare until the spring bulbs take hold. I've just discovered masses of sedum acre growing throughout - along with some forget-me-nots right at the back. Definitely will require some attention (remove one and move the other!) We can grow hebes here - will wait until the roses leaf out for final decision on any additions to the border.
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