Monday, September 19, 2011

The front garden, now…

Back in April the “big” unveiling of my replanted front garden was anything but dramatic. The plants were still so small that an overall shot had people wondering that the heck I was so excited about. Well it’s not going to win any prizes for design (and that’s not the point after all), but it is filling in nicely. The Agaves loved the recent heat. As did the Castor Bean... The lasting reward of Callistemon blooms comes later, when these little seed pods start form. This Echium wildpretii ‘Rocket’ lived through last winter because it was small enough I covered it with frost cloth and an over turned terra cotta pot on the coldest nights. I’m afraid it’s a bit too big for the same treatment this winter. I recently noticed the blue Agave on the left has given birth to a pup, about 8” away from the mother plant. That must mean it's happy, right? The Manzanita ‘Austin Griffiths’ has grown substantially! But the Cotinus ‘Royal Purple' is still just creeping along, next year will be it’s third…hopefully it will “leap”… Defying all common sense I planted these Echium russicum on a hot day, after dividing them (I’ve read they hate to be disturbed…in any way). They are thriving! All three Grevillea juniperina 'Molonglo' are growing like crazy too. This is the one Puya coerulea (of three) to have survived last winter, will it survive this one? The Canna and Opuntia mash-up. In a month or two (fingers crossed that we’ve got that long) after the freeze it will be only Opuntia again. The small white berries are starting to show on the Hymenanthera alpina. The very dangerous and spiky leaves of the Acanthus sennii. Which I am praying makes it through the upcoming winter, I want to see it bloom! An unexpected benefit of moving the Hakonechloa to the north side of the house is getting to see the blooms up against the charcoal colored foundation (kinda makes me wish we’d really been radical and painted the whole house this color!) My most recent update to the front garden was to chop out the old bits of this 5 year old Euphorbia, leaving two smaller healthier plants… …and room for this crazy Manzanita (Arctostaphylos densiflora 'Sentinel') purchased on a recent trip to Joy Creek Nursery. From the same trip, Grevillea victoriae. Once this little guy has grown a bit one (or both) of the surviving Euphorbia will come out. The third plant purchased that day at Joy Creek, a sedum (sorry no i.d. the tag broke on the way home and was lost). My first Manzanita (Arctostaphylos densiflora 'Harmony' (planted summer of 2010) is showing off that beautiful glowing bark. And speaking of glowing….the most unlikely plant in my garden, a Wingthorn rose, responded very well to its early spring pruning and put on a lot of bright red new growth. I’ve enjoyed watching these plants over the last five months, observing their new growth and how they’ve settled in. The real test is ahead…how will they do over the next 5, 6, 7 months? Since I planted most of them with the goal of winter interest in the front garden I’ll be sure to share updates, hopefully many good ones.

16 comments:

  1. I have heard conflicting reports about what to expect from Old Man Winter this year, but it looks like everything in your front garden has settled in. Shouldn't that count for a lot? What I worry over are the most recent acquisitions...and the Rhododendron sinogrande...not sure it can withstand another shot of real winter.

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  2. I think it's very exciting to see a garden at this stage. And that choco brown is an extremely good backdrop for plants. All round, a very inspiring and pleasing sight!

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  3. I remember you planting some of these, I can see significant growth!

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  4. Looks fantastic! Is that a prickly pear I see??

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  5. What a fab collection of plants, and they all look so fresh and healthy. When I get home next week got to take pics and blog about my garden, especially after its gotten some rains for two weeks.

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  6. The front garden is looking good, and a fantastic collection of exotic plants too!

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  7. It looks great...amazing how quickly everything is filling in! Looking at everything, I bet it will give you a lot of winter interest...oh, and I am SUPER jealous of your Manzanita...that bark is amazing!

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  8. Wow- That's quite a collection you have there, most of which I have never heard of. I can imagine how exciting it must be to watch them grow and fruit. I wish we could grow manzanitas here. I fell in love with their gorgeous bark and pretty flowers when we were in Ca a couple of winters ago. I can appreciate your concern over how to protect a plant as it grows larger. I have put an A. desmettiana in the ground that outgrew its pot. I shall either have to yank it out for the winter or erect a huge scaffold around it!

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  9. Your garden is incredible, just like it's creator!

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  10. Manzanita - all spiky plant afficianados like these; glad yours are thriving! Yes, a happy agave starts pupping...some pup with a vengeance, perfect for plant exchanges. It looks like the warmth the SW sent the NW is really helping for your incredible collection!

    Still digging on how different your front and rear gardens are!

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  11. Is it possible to dig up the echium and pot it up? Anyways, the garden looks absolutely wonderful. If only more people took the same approach to their front yard!

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  12. ricki, I do agree about the recently planted...like my new Grevillea (just planted last week). Hopefully a long warm fall will help them get established.

    kate, thank you!

    Darla, the Manzantia definitely take the cake for quick growth.

    Deb, oh ya...many!

    Nicole, yes! Please do...it's been a while since we've gotten to enjoy your garden.

    Mark and Gaz, thanks!

    scott, plant one! (or three)

    Lancashire Rose, I hope you will share what route you decide to go with that Agave!

    Peter, and you are very kind!

    DD, thank you, I too love the difference between the front garden and the private GREEN back garden. (and agave pups...love those especially)

    RFG, I dream of a neighborhood of front gardens...or even just a couple of trees and ground cover! No more dead lawns!!!! (and thank you).

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  13. I love your agave parryi in the front there!

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  14. Wonderful collection of plants.

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  15. My euphorbia pass along died this summer. I'm bummed.

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  16. Can't wait to see these views this time next year.

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