As Tim and I sat in our entry basking in the spring morning sushine, we could see that our heucheras and hellebores along the sidewalk border were still looking fresh and colorful. A short walk along the sidewalk revealed blooming primroses, daffodils, and tulips under the maple, with a “peekaboo” view of the grassy square by the street.
Late spring became early summer, and with the change in the seasons we realized that we needed to focus on the sidewalk views of two messy areas: faded spring bulb foliage under the maple, and the weedy patch of “lawn” between the sidewalk and the street. We also needed a spot of bright color by the porch steps since the primroses had stopped blooming there.
We weeded and cut back the bulb foliage under the maple, then planted sedums, which quickly spread into a blooming mat spilling over the sidewalks and covering the concrete edges. For instant color we placed pots of zinnias in bare spots by the steps.
Our next goal was to create a “pocket garden” to replace the grass area. Our neighbor Diane helped us with plans and plants! She advised us to slowly remove areas of sod, add compost, and experiment with plant placement.
Tim began the lengthy process by digging up a large circle to plant the feature tree: a “Miss Kim” lilac brought over from our other garden. Over a period of several weeks the grassy areas changed to become a colorful perennial bed, with heucheras and sedums from our other garden areas, and bright pink fragarias from Diane!
By early September our front entry garden was providing a beautiful and welcoming feature for us and neighbors. From our south driveway we could see spots of color and contrasting textures spilling over the retaining wall, with bright gold mums, orange zinnias, sedum pots, and foliage of hellebores, sedge, and a potted evergreen. By the porch railing our small maple and wintergreen plants were thriving in a pot flanked by heucheras drifting over the sidewalk. By the maple our perennial herb pot was happy in the sun, and our new fern and re-blooming primroses were equally happy in partial shade.
THANK YOU FOR VISITING OUR GARDEN!
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Beautiful Garden, Lorelei and Tim, Inspires me to get out there now that it is becoming fall and clean my yard up…prune a few things back and put the old veggies that have run their course of bearing fruit in the yard waste bin. Not sure when and how much to prune back my evergreen smaller bloom type clematis.Will have to look on line. With the mess in our world it has been hard for me to stay motivated and feel especially deflated when I see how they have not even given a time of grief and remembrance for dear RGB before moving into more division and hate…something that she would not have wanted. Your writing and pictures are a welcome incentive to keep moving. Thanks,Nancy
Such a lovely. pocket garden,
Tim
Very glad you enjoy the garden.