Wacky for Walnut

Did i ever think i would paint the backyard stub wall this color? No. Did i do just that yesterday? Yes. This tone was recommended (again) by two trusted landscape designers we know and who've given us great ideas to transform our yard into a Coastal Cottage Garden. Our wall was white stucco, and we had a nasty glare from the afternoon sun streak into the family room. Frequently we had to close the blinds in the room to avoid that glare...no more! So, besides that added benefit, the walnut color makes the plants in front of it really pop out. It'll take some getting used to seeing it in the yard, as we've had that white wall for about 12 years. My first impression? Very modern looking. Plus it will be a nice accent to the pastels in the garden, and complement the interior redecorating i have in mind over the next few years.

Pretty in Periwinkle

Vinca Minor, aka Periwinkle is the slope covering groundcover that i started planting yesterday. It was recommended to us by two professional landscape designers. The dark green leaves and light lavender spring flowers will be spectacular for the steep bank we have in the back yard. I bought three flats, and planted the shoots about a foot apart. So far, i am 1/3 of the way through planting them. This is badly needed for the steep slope we have struggled with for over 10 years. Over the last few months, i have transplanted a few bearded iris up on the bank, and am contemplating throwing some alstromeria up there as well. I'll be yanking out the existing old, and woody lavendar we have up there already as i move along the bank and put in the vinca. It'll probably be six months before we start to see it really begin to cover the dirt up there. Plus, i may need to add another flat or two as things grow in to fill in any missed spots. Sunset Western Gardening Book says it'll grow to about 6 inches tall, and need an occasional sheering to half it's height to encourage re growth. I remember tossing up some mexican primorose (pink) seeds last summer. Those are a perennial, so lets hope those come up as well. I think i'll wait and see how well this covers before i add any additonal pockets of plants up there. Floribunda roses will line the top of the bank, and accent the waterfall soon, but planting this is like laying the foundation of an important visual aspect of our backyard. Hooray!

A Ballerina for the Bank

This is a small, compact hedge that grows about 2' wide and 3' high which we planted in November along both iron side fences on the bank/slope in our back yard. I originally wanted something taller in a hedge, and i may still change it out-but better to let this dwarf, solid plant get going. Plus, it was a steal at the Home Depot...about a buck and change for each of the eleven purchased.

Sprucing up the Front

Here is a new area I dabbled in today with the addition of a new Cecile Brunner Rose (see post below).

Anyhow, this is a photo of the area. I've torn out the tall red plants and several sea lavendar to open the area up. I replanted many of the lavendar plants after I divided them, plus, dug in some new transplants of geranium, alternating sides of the walkway. I'd like to keep this area short in plantings. Plus, I've got many bulbs here, Spring and Summer that naturalize and summer/winter over. I'll be looking at several new cottage perennials to fill in the gaps soon.
The Robelini Palms will be taken out soon, and a row of tall hedge will be placed to divide and distinguish our front yard from our neighbor's.

• Current plantings include: Shasta Daisy, Cecile Brunner Climbing Rose, Wisteria (just out of right edge of photo), Sea Lavendar, Hydrangea, Alstromeria, Bulbs: daffodils, gladiolus, freesia) Geranium, Dusty Miller, Alyssum...

Under the Christmas Tree...

...a Cecile Brunner Climbing Rose! I am so excited! Got it on the cheap at the Home Depot for just a tad over a ten spot. It went in the ground today, in front of a brick pillar at the front of our home. It can climb up the pillar and over toward the front door. How delightful to watch it grow, curl and bloom refreshing baby pink blossoms the fragrant the front porch. I'll be sure to leave open the front window so the scent filters through! A show stopping rose to set the tone for the front yard.

Tiptoe through the Tulips

One must have patience when planting fall bulbs for a spring bloom. You don't reap instant rewards as when you dig in a new annual. I stopped in my local Armstrong Nursery to pick out my free birthday gift from them-a six pack of annuals!( stock, in a lovely pastel mix) I happened upon their bulb display and what to my wandering eyes did i see? but 50% off for you and me! Since this is the first bulbs that i'll be planting in the new backyard area, i chose the granddaddy of them all...Tulips.2 pinks and a purple.
I was quite lucky they had some double flowering light pinks (angelique) and i grabbed what i could in my color scheme-looking out to pick the best in the box. No early shoots or signs of decay on mine! I was able to pick out 25 bulbs for 10 bucks! They'll be mid to late bloomers, but well worth the wait. They're chilling right now in the outside frig for 6 weeks. So, they'll go in around Jan 20th and should wake up in May if i'm lucky. I've grown tulips out in the front garden before, so nothing new there, but these colors are in our new palette and a new place to view them from the kitchen and family room. I plan to throw them in the planters and dig them in when they scatter-suggested serendipity. It's turned a bit cold outside, not much work going on out there for now.