Well folks, I thought I'd be done with the makeover in one day. Ha ha ha, what a fool I was. This is going to be a 3 parter. Going down the back pathway, the bed straight down the path in the middle there is where I removed just about everything. The bed to the left of it and to the right of it (by the fence) are where the Furcraea MacDougallii were added.
The "left" bed is just about sorted out. Added Aloe mawii, a shrubbier type Aloe I don't usually go for - but I like the marlothii-like horizontal bloom stalks.
As well as adding rando sempervivum and this cute Raoulia tenuicaulis. I'm willing this to dive into those crevices and build a little nest.
The "center" bed - I partially topped with black lava, against my better judgement. I think when everything settles in it will work - I added a good amount of silver foliage things. They look so nice and pop on the black. I tried to do splotches of the black lava rock, instead of the Laura Eubanks style ribbons. I think she's fabulous, but for me the ribbons are just a little too precious. Clustered the Echeveria agavoides around Mangave (inkblot, bloodspot, ink spot?) This is why I label everything now.
Added back some of the soft succulents, and a silvery Brachyglottis compacta - a nice shorty that also adds a bit of silvery softness.
I popped in some tiny Mangave 'Man of Steel' - picture taken before I realized there were pups. I was tired of moving rocks at this point and wasn't working with a full deck.
Oooh, while I was snapping photos... I noticed this Trichocereus 'Hustler' blooming. This is a cutting, no roots yet so it's waiting in the wings.
And the final area coming up next.
Added Aloidendron comptonii, a Phlomis 'Sunningdale Gold' against the fence, Yucca pallida x2 and this wee Edraianthus dinaricus. Hopefully will grow up to be a beautiful silver cushion.
All in all I feel pretty good about the edits, removals and additions.
And on a side note, I am treating the invasive Campsis radicans, trumpet vine that is popping up everywhere. The service that cares for the fire lane area (to the side of our house) took down some of it that was grown by the fence. This has spurred the vine in to action. Ugh.
*I call this HotBoxSoloCup.
Do you have anything invasive you have to deal with? And if so, how do you deal with it?
Do you have anything invasive you have to deal with? And if so, how do you deal with it?
I had to look up Laura Eubanks, I'm so out of it! So thanks for that reference. I'm not a purist and like to add stuff like the phlomis and brachyglottis to succulent gardens too. I like the volume and texture they add. It's all looking fabulous, well done -- watch out for summer heat! Nice to have that pool to cool off in after all that plant shuffling.
ReplyDeleteOh me too. Impossible to stick to one type. The pool is refreshing, I feel very lucky we have it!
DeleteI think you have a desert botanical garden in development! I appreciate all the details you've incorporated - my local botanic garden could use someone with your imagination and energy. (Their haphazard displays lean toward boring.)
ReplyDeleteI've got all sorts of invasive plants, including fern-textured Geranium incanum, prickly asparagus fern, and ivy, all of which I've found virtually impossible to control. The bulbous roots of asparagus fern can be dug up but it's not easy and the birds just deposit more seeds...
Asparagus fern is a nightmare! Just the mere sight of those bulbous roots bug the *rap out of me. Thank you, Kris - that is such a nice compliment :)
DeleteThese things are never as easy as we first imagine. But, at least it gives you a project.
ReplyDeleteHa ha, true! Good thing I love a project ;)
DeleteI find the black lava rock, like the fence, make everything stand out.
ReplyDeleteI was curious: is there a reason why you are willing Raoulia tenuicaulis to "dive into those crevices" instead of planting it in the rock crevices?
Chavli
Oh, the way I wrote that was confusing. I planted it right next to the rock, and that particular rock has lots of little holes & dips. I just want it to fill in those areas. But yes, between 2 rocks would've worked as well! I like black lava, too. The only negative, it shows every little piece of leaf litter, pine needles, etc. That's the only reason I don't use it more.
DeleteHa! That's why I'm never getting another black car... :-D
DeleteEXACTLY!
DeleteWow, so many changes in just a week! Great changes, too!!
ReplyDeleteInteresting what you said about the Laura Eubanks style black lava ribbons. That's exactly how I feel! I like a lot of her designs, but have never really connected with those ribbons.
Thanks Gerhard! I do enjoy watching her youtube videos - to have access to those plants and rocks. We all have our own style.
DeleteIt looks absolutely great. Your garden just gets better and better and better.
ReplyDeleteAnother agree-with-you on ribbons--they seem so artificial to me.
Also not a huge fan of "shrubby" Aloes myself--prefer solitaries--tho was looking at Kumara plicatilis the other day thinking another one or two in the garden would be lovely. Maybe that one's not a really shrubby, tho.
DeleteI like the shape of Kumara plicatilis, too. The structure is so nice as they age!
DeleteAmazing Restructure
ReplyDeleteThank you Plumber :)
DeleteNot the time of year to be out there restructuring! Invasives? The original owner planted English ivy (now banned for sale, trade, or transport into the state), Virginia creeper, and bamboo. I will never be rid of those. I made the mistake of putting in wisteria, and while it's just one plant, I can't get rid of it. Himalayan blackberries are the wild invasive. Also, Summer Berries yarrow I grew from seed. Now it's popping up from underground all in my daylilies.
ReplyDeleteOh, you have your hands full! The ivy and bamboo sound the most problematic. I've had blackberries on a property in Portland and it was a big deal to keep in check.
DeleteOh my, that hustler.. beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThe color stopped me in my tracks!
Delete