Before/after new planting bed

Thought I'd share my latest project, just completed today: a really neglected area of my property alongside my driveway. Here's what it looked like 2 years ago, after removing overgrown, leggy shrubs:



It really had a lot of roots in there so we decided not to tackle it just yet. We added compost and wood mulch, got a new fence, and let it sit a while. Here's how it looked last weekend:



I was lucky enough to have a couple of "volunteers" in some Forsythia shrubs and a Rose of Sharon. So we transplanted them around, pulled weeds, and then I set to work planting and mulching.

Here's how it looks now:



They were all out of black mulch, so we got brown. No biggie, it still looks a heck of a lot better than weeds and leaves! Here's that Giant Fleece Flower I posted in another thread:



Yes, it looks silly. But that thing is going to fill in that whole area! Mark my words. Here's a couple more:






I didn't go with a color scheme on this, it will have a little bit of everything... pink, purple, orange, white. I chose based on the amount of sun it gets - only a 1/2 day - and what could give me some height to get some privacy for myself and my neighbor.

Here are some of the things in the bed and how they will look full grown:

Re: Before/after new planting bed

Looks great, I can't wait to see pics of everything mature!
It's amazing how much better mulch makes an area look.

Re: Before/after new planting bed

When that fills in it will be gorgeous!!

Re: Before/after new planting bed

I always buy smaller plants too. That's the only way to do it in a budget and in 3 years it's perfect.

I like it.

I LOVE Coral Bells. I have the "yellowish" one too in my yard to brighten my "purple palace" coral bells.

I must be the only one but I LOVE LOVE LOVE Hostas.

Re: Before/after new planting bed

Thanks ladies! Except for the Hydrangea, I think most of it should double in size by the end of fall.

You're absolutely right about the 3 years! Have you heard that saying "First year they sleep, second year they creep, third year they leap"? So true. Luckily, my 3rd year beds are mature now and it gives me enough to be patient on the rest.

Funny you say that about hosta. My mother had tons of the plain green kind growing up, plus pachysandra everywhere. I grew a hatred for it, and when I found it at our house when we moved in, I ripped it all out and gave it away to an LIF member. And here I am now, buying different varieties.

The hosta I posted is called Guacamole, and I also got El Nino:



I think that will be it for hosta for a while, because I know how they grow and I'll have tons in no time. So when I divide these in two years, you're welcome to them.

Message edited 7/10/2011 8:29:39 PM.

Re: Before/after new planting bed

Awesome job! My brother planted a bed just like yours for me last fall around my patio. This spring, everything came up like TRIPLE the size of the stuff he planted. It was seriously amazing.

Great work!

Re: Before/after new planting bed

It looks awesome, you did a great job!

Great choices!