Recently the Flâneur Husband commented on how he was a bit sad that all flowers were concentrated mainly on the South-Western side of the garden. The Ambitious Border, The Puddles, The Sunny Border; everything seemed to happen to one side, and of course he’s completely right.
Mainly this is because I’ve been afraid to attack the main lawn. First of all, to make any sort of impact, a flower bed in the lawn would have to be of a certain size, and clearing lawn is always a big project. (And at times back-breaking.) Secondly, when we bought the summer house he was rather adamant that we should have a large lawn, so I’ve been chipping away at it at the sides where it wouldn’t make too much difference to the overall lawn space.
However, the last time we were in the garden together we were walking around and he mentioned that he’d like some more flowers to the North-East and North, and he would quite like a large flower bed in the lawn in front of the rhododendrons (by the garden bench to the right in the picture above). Hallelujah! I WANT THAT TOO!!!
Once the rhododendrons and the cherry plum has finished blooming there’s really nothing interesting happening on the right side of the house until the patch of goldenrods make their show in August/September, so we need something that will be glorious during the summer months.
Wait a minute… Is the Ambitious Border done yet? No, of course it isn’t; there is still a 3-meter gap between the border-proper and The Puddles, so obviously I need to clear that ground before I start digging in the lawn, but the other day my husband asked me if flaneurgardening.com was dying, and I think that’s just because I’m sort of loosing steam here. And what better way to find something new to write about than, well, PLANNING something new!
So what am I thinking about? Well, the lawn that will remain afterwards needs to have certain proportions. There needs to be room for a long table for an al-fresco lunch for 20 people, and alongside that room enough for a game of croquet, pétanque or Kubb, so basically this means an area around 8 x 12 meters should be kept as lawn. (And no, we’re not using competition standards when setting up lawn games…)
This will give space for a narrow path in front of the rhododendrons and a long flowerbed in front of that, perhaps a few meters wide and 7-8 meters long. To eliminate the need to mow a narrow path, this could probably be made of a weed-blocking material covered with wood chips made from our rather large stock-pile of twigs and small branches that are currently piled up behind the house.
So… Once the ground is cleared of grass, the path is made and everything is ready, what on earth should go into such a large flowerbed? Well, obviously I want everything in the garden to be fully hardy perennials, with few exceptions for special plants like the dahlias and some biannuals, but to begin with it would be easiest – and cheapest – to populate a large space like this with hardy annuals.
After all, I do have a seed stash…
Oooohhh new project, how exciting. We all have times when we feel like we’re running out of steam a bit and a new project is a great way of feeling invigorated, especially at this time of year. Just think of all the planning and seed catalogues and plant books you can read over winter. Sounds great. Have a good weekend.
I don’t have to read catalogues etc.; I have plenty of seeds with nowhere to put them, so I will easily be able to fill the bed just from the stash, I suspect, especially if I add some pretty veggies here and there to fill gaps. (And I’m sure I can divide a perennial or two as well.)
New space to plant–what could be better! Yes removing sod is a lot of work but not so bad if the ground isn’t dry. You are going to have the best time planning and doing all this. Oh and don’t forget a few shrubs!
Only low shrubs, though, as the plan is to keep the rhododendrons in sight from the house… But yes, there needs to be something with a bit of body to it, and I actually have a small homeless gooseberry bush and a large – poorly treated – black currant that would like more space and some sun, so I might end up using them as foliage shrubs in the bed.
Plotting and planninng are the best, especially when the seasons are changing!
And let’s face it, I’ve learned my lesson with The Sunny Border and The Puddles… I don’t want to end up having to spend most of spring trying frantically to finish a couple of beds so they can be ready for planting, meanwhile ignoring getting the vegetable beds cleaned up, the lawn mowed etc… Better get new beds and borders created in autumn!
I am always starting new projects without finishing others…it does sometimes inspire me with the unfinished job…
Finished or unfinished; any square meter of lawn that disappears is a boon to the garden, I think, so I just need to get cracking with whatever is most fun right now, I think…
Soren, I’m just catching up with your blog after too long away. A new garden area to plan — what fun! I must confess that I’m always making plans for projects one or two out from the one I currently haven’t quite finished
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It IS fun! I’m just sad that I don’t have enough perennials to fill the bed from the get-go, but it will come in time…