July 2014
Today's
photos are from Lynn Nehring out in western Wisconsin. She says, "In the
fall of 2013 I had to endure many changes, as we had to have a mound septic
system installed. I dreaded it; however, I saw opportunity as
well. In October 2013 I planted a new island bed between an existing hill and
the new hill created by the mound. I've included a picture from fall 2013
and another from July 2014. Sun and shade perennials did very well in this area
and I've been thrilled with the outcome.
October 2013
Standing on top of the mound turned out to be a great place
to take pictures. Here's a summer picture.....
....and a fall picture.
Thought I'd take you on a tour of some of the other areas.
Here is one of my few sunny areas that includes daylilies, lilies, echinacea,
mondarda, rudbeckia, various sedums, etc. 2014 was a great growing year
for us as we had more rain than average.
This garden is shady on the left and sunny on the right (see
the astilboides plants and lilies)
This area gets very little sun after 11:00 a.m. but seems to
thrive. You've seen this shot from another year. The lilies were
fantastic this year. They are the OT (orienpet) oriental/trumpet cross, many of
which get at least six feet tall here.
A part-sun area behind our garage. The wax begonias
brightened the area all summer.
This is one end of a bed that is about 90 feet long and 30
wide at the widest. It does amazingly well with no more than a couple
hours of sun in most spots. The lilies have to be staked but the effort is
worth the color. Phlox thrive here as well as hostas, astilbes, ferns,
and Siberian irises.
The ligularia 'Britt Marie Crawford' takes the stage
here. I moved it to this location a few years ago and couldn't believe
what a bit more light did for it. It loves moist soil, too.
A September picture of the retaining wall garden I planted
in the fall of 2012. I used the castor bean plants for height and annual
grasses on the corners to break up all that white siding.