We’re in Sweaburg, Ontario, visiting with Alice Fleurkens. We’ve been to her garden before (Alice’s Front Garden in Canada) so check out the earlier posts if you want to see more.
This is the first year in about six years that I have been able to do more gardening again. It is so enjoyable to see the garden grow.
These shrubs now require a drastic pruning every year. And the Siberian iris (Iris siberica, Zones 4–8) has found itself a spot where I don’t really want it, so later it will have to go.
Oh, how I love coral bells (Heuchera hybrids, Zones 4–8), even though the ants are attacking them left and right. It seems to be their favorite plant for making ant hills in.
A lady gave me some golden-orange heuchera. It is very small this year, but it is coming along.
This grass was also given to me. (Sorry, I don’t know the name of anything.) We had a great big cedar in front of the basement window and decided we wanted it gone, so my husband very cleverly cut it down himself.
This garden goes all the way down the hill. I planted some more grasses in it, and the bleeding hearts are doing fantastic. They had to be covered with blankets a week ago because we had frost, and they froze in other years and so did damage to the hostas and lilies. They did not die; they just looked ugly for a while.
There is no mulch in the garden yet. But maybe we will still mulch or maybe not. We are undecided. It is expensive.
More heucheras give color in the garden.
There was another cedar there in the corner by the door, but it was hitting the roof and did not look very good, so it is gone too. There is a nice hosta and some Miscanthus grass, which does not seem to be doing too well.
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Comments
Very nice ! Keep up the great work and , of course , the maintenance . Regarding mulch and its expense : I have never mulched . I found that my alternative works well and is CHEAP --- peat moss . I use it for an initial blanket in the spring , it "cleans" things up and also provides a medium to hold water . Rain will work it into the soil and everything will be fine .
Also , regarding "maintenance" ,,, I fill my gardens with plants so that after the spring awakening , there is no weeding required and no bare soil showing . I spend my time enjoying the optics instead of weeding --- all year ... Peace from the Mohawk Valley in central NYS .
It's interesting how gardeners can make their own unique landscapes/gardens with plants like an artist does with paint..., and your garden has your own unique design & style- so pretty with the low growing plants and big rocks!
Looks great! I used to live in Ingersoll!
I am now in Sarnia, and starting over in a new yard. Your pics are inspiring and I share your love for hostas (I have over 100 so far!). Yay Canada!
Alice, your gardens are lovely with so many shapes. colors and textures. Your neighbors must be very pleased to have you and your gardens in their neighborhood!
Love all of the large boulders you've used in the gardens - they add such presence. The ones next to the Japanese Forest Grass are fabulous!
Love the rocks and colors. Very happy you were able to return to your lovely, colorful garden.
Alice, so nice to see your garden posted here again. Love the rocks contrasted with the bright heuchera and other plant colors. Has you garden inspired any neighbors to change out grass for garden?
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