When we took down one of the Bradford Pear trees a year and a half ago, and had this new flagstone walkway, patio, and arbor built, I got two new little flower beds that run along the path. Last year was a trial on planting, but this year I developed a plan and these 2 beds are now my very favorite flower beds.
I really had to watch the amount of sun these beds would get as that would determine what I planted. I knew there was not full sun, but there is good morning sun. (You can really see the pond "fence" we had to put up in this picture!) In the spring, I had tulips, daffodils and candy tuff. It was really pretty. For summer, I decided I wanted to continue the cottage look with a mixture of all different kinds of flowers.
On this right side of the path I have begonias, zinnias, coneflowers angelonia, coreopsis, forget-me-nots (from Mother) lemon balm, pinata lavender and mexican mint marigold. This area gets more sun than the left side.
The left side of the path has some repeat plants, but also salvia hot lips, black foot daisies, gaillardia and a red geranium. It is very hard to keep this side watered as the remaining Bradford takes all the moisture.
The right side was designed with a slight slope which makes it easier to water.
I have really enjoyed buying little bedding plants and tucking them here and there in these beds. I was trying to use only perennials, and I do have quite a few, but I always enjoy plant shopping each season and buying some colorful annuals.
The left side of the path has some repeat plants, but also salvia hot lips, black foot daisies, gaillardia and a red geranium. It is very hard to keep this side watered as the remaining Bradford takes all the moisture.
The right side was designed with a slight slope which makes it easier to water.I have really enjoyed buying little bedding plants and tucking them here and there in these beds. I was trying to use only perennials, and I do have quite a few, but I always enjoy plant shopping each season and buying some colorful annuals.
I get up pretty early every morning. I take a quick shower and grab a cup of coffee and head out the patio door. These flower beds are just what I need to see to start my day. I didn't know what direction these beds would take this time last year, but I think I have created exactly what I was searching for. So..do you have a favorite flower bed??
22 comments:
They are both awesome!! I love your descriptions and flower "roll call" even though I have NO clue what is what....this is a great way to start your day ;-)
Thanks jj. I look forward every morning to walking out the door and visiting with the flowers. :)
I'd have to say right now your flowers beds are my favorites cause mine are burning up and look pathetic. I'm finding it hard to enjoy gardening right now.
This is stunning! My beds are withering in this heat! How are you managing to keep yours so lush? I got behind on the fertilizing also with my foot hurt. Nothing much looks good in my yard right now, unfortunately!
Brenda
Hi Susie--that's such a sweet thing to say! This heat is just awful isn't it? I have 'drought tolerant plants", but it's not the lack of water, it's the heat that is getting to them. Luckily, these beds get morning sun, them mainly shade the rest of the day. Maybe a little dappled sun, but not enough to burn them. It really is a struggle.
Brenda, it's hard to enjoy gardening with this heat. I haven't been fertilizing much, just some here and there. Even my wildflower bed (they are suppose to LIKE heat) looks wilted. I'm afraid we may be in for a long, hot summer...ugh!
They look really good. I like the layered yet tiered look. I have difficulties getting this part right in my garden and know it is not an easy look to achieve. I can see having a morning cup of coffee here each day for sure. The path is great too.
The hardscaping of the patio & pathway really sets these beds off beautifully Linda. That would be my favorite place to sit & enjoy all the beauty too. :)
Thanks Tina! Unfortunately I have to leave for work pretty early, so it's just a stroll with coffee in hand--of course I can't help but do some deadheading and watering as I wander! :)
Thanks Racquel. I like the contrast of the flagstone with the beds too. I think that is the look I was trying to achieve.
Guess you know my favorite bed at your house! :)
I have to agree with Brenda and Susie! How do you do it?? My poor supposedly heat tolerant plants are not tolerating this kind of heat well at all. The beds are well watered and all of my beds get some shade at some point, but I am fighting just to keep them alive! I do have esperanza, rudebakia(sp?), periwinkles, dusty miller, geraniums, rose moss, roses and verbena that seem to be hanging on. But, my europ daises, my african daises, zinnias and petunias, balloon flowers and kolanches are looking terrible. My lantana is hanging in there, but my daisy gardenia is not doing so hot, literally! On the other hand, I have a bumper crop of weeds and they are just doing great..
Your sister,
Kimberlyn
Hi, I would like to know what is your ground cover? How old is the retro chair & the name of the grass to the right of the chair?
I really like this arrangement. Sitting there early in the am drinking coffee would be heaven.
Hey Sister Kim! Well, it helps that the plants only get full sun in the morning, and some dappled in the afternoon. I do keep it watered well. You know, I think drought tolerant and heat tolerant are 2 different things.Plants may not need lots of water, but the heat in the air gets to them. Mother has a fan flower (scaveola) that was beautiful. You know she waters it, but it is so droopy it looks like it is dying. It is not for lack of water, it is the heat. And you have had such heat! Go look at "My Corner of Katy" from my favorite blogs. Cindy lives in Katy and has drought tolerant plants but has the same problem. However, Cindy also points out a good thought: gardeners in Texas are not gardening because of summer--they are gardening because of the other 3 months!
Hi Lola! The ground cover came from a sweet little lady I came across on a garden tour. She called it "ground ivy" and gave me 2 little cuttings. I put both of them around the pond. That was 4 or 5 years ago--all that ivy came from those 2 little pieces. Wish you were close by so I could share some with you!
I think you are referring to the Tuscan Blue Rosemary. I got it at Lowe's in the winter. I just love it! The red chair is from the 40's
I bought it at an antique store in McKinney-which is about 30 miles from Dallas.
Glad you like the patio--and again wished you lived close by. You could come over and have coffee with me! :)
It is so nice to have a comfortable place to sit and just enjoy some time looking at your plants. Thanks for sharing it virtually.
Beautiful beds! I like the cottage feel. I think my fave is going to be the foot wide flowers that will grow next to my veggie bed.
well, I feel much better after visiting Cindy's Katy corner!Thanks for the direction - I just need to focus on what a beautiful sight the gardens will be in November when they are once again lush and full and not at all wilted. And after all, I have roses blooming on Christmas Eve - a little heat is not a bad price to pay for that! Most enjoyable, just not right now in this intense heat. I shall enjoy the pool and having air conditioning and plan my fall gardens!
Kimberlyn
You're welcome mr! Glad you enjoyed the visit!
I like the cottage look too Dawn. Sounds like you have a favorite bed--no one else has commented on that yet. I bet all gardeners have 1 (or 2) though. :)
Good outlook Kim---I'm passing your thoughts on to Mother! :)
Your patio and garden are awfully inviting! I'd love to have my morning tea there - but I'm afraid I'd be so distracted every morning I'd never make it to work on time! Your plants look so healthy - mine are all melting in the heat. This was my first visit to "Meadowfiew Thymes" - I love how you list everything that's bloom on your right bar. May I copy it? . . . Remember, imitation IS the sincerest form of flattery. - Mary Beth
Linda, I love how the red blooms pick up the red of the chair. The garden looks pretty good despite the heat and drought.
Thanks for sending Kimberlyn to see me! It sounds like you two are soil sisters :-)
You're right, they are very pretty beds, full of color. I love the cottage look, but I try to keep the front a bit more formal with shrubs, while still sticking flowers in between. Are you sure it's not Japanese beetles eating your coneflowers? I keep picking them off mine every day!
Hi Mary Beth! Welcome to Meadowview Thymes. Please do copy the sidebar. I try to remember to keep it updated, but may forget a thing or 2.
Yes, I know what you mean about having tea (coffee for me) in the morning...I just take a stroll, deadhead a bit, water a bit..then head back in to get ready for work. "Thyme" can sure get away from you in the garden! :)
Hi Cindy! Red and yellow are my favorite garden colors so you'll find some shade of those in every bed. Glad Kim found you. She is a garden newbie--but really has gotten into my world! :)
msrobin--it may be beetles as I have seen a few here and there, just can't catch them on the flowers. I don't use pesticides, but did try a soap wash and my tomato spray (that is really for aphids). One time I did see a tiny, tiny worm on the cone---have no idea what it was, maybe larve for a caterpillar??
That would be nice. I lived in Dallas about 38 yrs. ago. My youngest was born in Dallas.
Lola--Really! What part of Dallas did you live in? I grew up in Dallas, but now live in Garland which is a suburb. My kids were born in Dallas too. That's neat to know! Racquel (Perennial Gardener) lived in Athens (I think-anyway Texas) at one time too. Y'all know all about this heat we are having! :)
Hi Linda,
Lewisville for awhile then into Dallas. Can't remember just now where in Dallas. It was an apartment. My hubby drove a city bus while we were there. 2 of my brothers lived there for a time also. My oldest brother was first.
Strange, my first hubby was from Waco.
I know about that heat. It can be a scorcher. I've seen the ground crack from heat & no rain.
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