Wednesday, May 9, 2012

New kid on the block

We added another new plant to the front garden recently! We are getting closer and closer to finishing up the front beds. We started last spring on this part of the garden with this.




After we moved the taxuses, we were left with this.




Last summer, we added retaining walls. I should note that this was a test of marriage....: ) All joking aside, it was quite a job, taking several days during a heat wave and required lots of Advil and cold beverages at the end of the day.




They were having a tree sale a few weekends ago at the garden center, so I went to take a look. We ended up with a new little tree.


Here is my husband with our little helpers. They just love to help out.


We decided on a dogwood tree. I had been thinking about a Heritage river birch, but it would have gotten really big. They steered me to this dogwood (Cornus florida).


It's taken me some time to come to an understanding about my front beds.....I tend to think I need plants that can take a lot of sun. We live in a fairly new-construction neighborhood, so there aren't a ton of big trees yet.


But....our house faces dead east. So, once the sun passes the side of the house, it's shady the rest of the day in my front garden beds. Since this tree is on the northeast corner, something that would take some shade was necessary. I was back last weekend buying some annuals and they were recommending impatiens to me. Impatiens!??! I tend to think those are for people with heavy shade. So, I'll give them (and the dogwood) a try.


All that's left to add--of the shrubs and perennials--are the shrubs under the window. I'll work on those with my coupons that I have to use.


I'm looking forward to seeing this little guy grow.


Copy_of_001

4 comments:

Sonia said...

I too planted a dogwood this spring. It's in the back border that is on the east side of my house. I can't wait till mine blooms! May take a couple years because mine is only about 6 feet tall. Your retention wall is beautiful..I have to admire your hard work..my hubby would not even have attempted it! Impatiens will do great on an east facing exposure!
Happy Gardening!
Miss Bloomers

Tootsie said...

I want a dogwood....really bad! I had one in my old yard...loved it so much.
I thank you so much for linking in this week. It is an honor to host Friday's Flaunt and meet new friends and visit the regulars (who are like old friends) who share. I always feel so privelaged to know that inspiration is just a click away when need a bit of a boost for my spirits! It is a pleasure to tour and see all the gorgeous blooms...landscaping and ideas that all the participants share, and I appreciate each and every link and comment! I have shared your post today with my facebook page for Tootsie Time. I hope you will link in again soon!
(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

Larry said...

Wow... a blank canvass!! That is one of my favorite things as I love to design new garden spaces. I'm trying a relatively new hybrid dogwood called Venus that gets 6" bracts of pure white... It grows rapidly to 20+ feet high and wide... can't decide where to put it as there isn't that much space left anywhere on this two acres! Good luck with your project... Larry

Carla said...

How sweet!! I'm planning on planting one of these at our place this fall, a lot of the mature trees have died giving us lots of sun, but I think I found the perfect spot (need a shady spot in our hot area), what promise a new tree, or flowerbed, holds:) (love your helpers:)