Part Three, the Story of My Garden

I wrote earlier of the giant arborvitae hedge that we removed in the summer of 2007. Today I have a lovely sunny border in its place. We planted some hollies to continue the border that was adjacent to the arborvitae. In front of the hollies, and closer to the back steps I have a small border that blooms primarily in the summer and fall. There isn't much happening in the spring in this border, but I have saved that for another spot in the back yard.

Calamintha nepeta nepeta in the early morning sunbeam. Next to it is a toppled over verbascum 'Southern Charms'. It's very lovely, but it falls over with the slightest provocation.

Against a backdrop of monarda 'Raspberry Wine' are a couple of allium atropurpureum, veronica 'Blue Fox', salvia 'Eveline' to the right. The astilbe 'Amethyst' is taking shape just to the left of the allium.

The sensation cosmos in white sparkles next to the heuchera (I believe it's 'Pretty Polly', but I need to check that). To the right is a catmint.

Here's my favorite vignette of this border so far this year. The gray-tinged purple and green crinkled foliage of the heuchera is set off by the light pink dianthus (slightly overexposed in this image), the strong red dianthus, and the white cosmos. To the right is the sedum 'Matrona', which has a blue undertone that complements the gray cast of the heuchera. In the background you can see the orange zinnia. As the garden matures, the zinnia boosts the gauzy pastels.

The veronica 'Blue Fox' pokes out from the foliage of the heuchera. The scabiosa 'Pink Mist' mingles with the pink dianthus.

Another view of this vignette. A renegade verbascum rises from the scabiosa. It will probably flop over in a day or two, but right now it looks great.

With the neighbors' house in the background, you can see the sunny border from the west to east. Note my 24th anniversary gift from my husband - a new set of garden furniture, which arrived just in time for the Memorial Day weekend.

On the west side of the sunny border, the calamintha mixes with astilbe 'Bridal Veil'. You can just make out the malva on the upper right corner. It started as one plant five years ago, and has re-seeded itself every year since then.

Another view of the east side of the border, with coreoposis 'Moonshine' getting ready to bloom. Next to it is an echinacea 'Rubinstern' and more of the veronica 'Blue Fox'. Baptisia seeds pods are lying next to the echinacea.

A box ball sits next to the lady's mantle. To the right is the aptly named anenome robustissima. I had to place some corrugated metal stripping next to the anenome so it wouldn't overtake an adjacent hibiscus syriacus. Behind the alchemilla is a two year old Calamagrostis 'Overdam'. Next to the grass is a new favorite - echinacea 'Pink Double Delight'.

A view along the sunny border leading to our side yard.

The zinnia really pops out here.

I'm very happy with the contrasts in foliage color and form here.

Many of these flowers float above the foliage. A little cabbage moth has been darting around them for the past few days, brushing by the dainty flowers and making them dance around.

I can't blame the deer here - some birds have been snacking on my sedum 'Matrona'. 

The salvia 'Eveline' has just been planted this spring, so it is still pretty sparse. But some dianthus and sweet alyssum are filling in next to it this year. Next year the salvia will probably take over this spot.

Veronica on the left.

The sun starts to to pour over the border.

Another view of the sunbeam. It highlights the astilbe 'Amethyst' beautifully. The violet astilbe will really pop next to the zinnia once it blooms.

Looking along the border, the structure of the plants is carrying the planting along until the summer color arrives in its full glory.

One last view of the sunny border in the early morning. Regrettably this lovely view terminates in an HVAC condenser unit. The practical realities always seem to get in the way of the ideal, don't they?