blondeartist

What colorful combinations. And admirable that you spend the time to dig out and overwinter the oxalis.

@Roho, glad you made it to to site. I find Ms. Gervais' daily pics like a little daily vitamin for my gardeners soul. I hope you find it equally satisfying. Welcome!

This is so serene. I wish I could wander through this garden.

The land you've transformed is a work of art.

I love all the hard scape elements you've created. They really show off the conifers. I love to garden in a space as large as yours. Serene. Deer have found my garden so I'm going to try your conifer strategy.

Mmmm. All I need is a hot cup of tea.

I love the sharp square angles juxtaposed to the almost watery texture of the grasses. Maybe it's fall clean-up looming, but for some reason I keep thinking of the poor person who will be cutting down all the tall miscanthus come spring.

I've had problems finding outdoor mirrors. Anyone have luck with that?

Michelle, I wish I had your job. Getting paid to share beauty like this. Not a bad gig.

that's hysterical

Awesome. Thank you.

I can't grow spanish moss in my zone but I could try to get the same effect with dichondra silver falls hanging in hidden pots from a big ash in my back yard. Oooh. Thanks for the idea. Watering is going to be a challenge.

The prettiest garden ornament there is.

Since this specimen is on a standard, the only hard part about growing it is that it has had to remain staked. The head gets so large that I'm afraid it is too top weighted for it's own good. I prune the head (keeping it fluffy of course) to keep it within reason. Otherwise, yes, it is very easy.

I purchased the plant at a local garden center. I frequent about 7 different garden centers as well as a huge midwest grower looking for new cool things I haven't tried yet. I saw it only once about 3 or 4 years ago and have not seen it anywhere since. I scooped it up right away. It was rather pricey and a man buying tomato plants asked what it was. He thought it was as silly as its price tag and said he was going to stick to tomatoes. So far, deer have not found it all that desireable either.

ncgardener, thanks for your comment on neat borders. I obsess over borders. I cut them back with a straight edge three times a year and my lawn service holds the weed whacker vertical and hits the edges weekly. They also whack all the hosta leaves unfortunately. Which means I have to go back and remove the damaged leaves. But I don't mind. I'm happy the grass is cut so I can focus on the fun stuff.

I forgot to mention, because a bird cage is so airy and open on all sides, I did not use a cactus soil mix. Traditional potting soil drains and dries out very fast because there are no sides to hold moisture in. After winter I just snip off the little chicks that are dangling. If the bird cage you use has a deep bottom, punch a few holes so water is not sitting in it.

HOW TO: For most bird cages the bottom slides out or comes off. Turn the birdcage upside down and line the bars with large sheets of moss. Fill with potting soil (I used Miracle Grow with the slow release fertilizer) as you work your way up the cage. If you are filling a large cage, be sure to give a little structural integrity to the interior of the cage by laying cut wire from coat hangers across the interior, resting the ends on the wire cage. This will help keep the whole thing from squishing or settling over time. When your cage is packed tight with dirt, water it while it's upside down to be sure the soil is moist and the cage is very full of top soil. Put the bottom back on and flip it over.
The next step is to punch holes in the moss with a screwdriver and wiggle it around to make a planting hole. Take your little succulents, and stuff their stems or roots into the holes. It's painstaking, but so is weeding, and this is the opposite action. Space the larger plants evenly around, or near the top. Fill in the sides with the little chicks. When you are done stuffing, give the whole cage a light watering to make sure the plants have good contact with the soil. Have fun!

To soilgoil and your problematic weed infestation of your wooly thyme: My thyme would be infested also but I have to pull pull pull. Wait until you have a crazy heavy downpour so your soil is supersaturated. Then, pour a glass of wine. (You'll need it). Put a knee pad under your butt. Sit down and grab every one of the hundreds of invaders by the very base and pull straight up. It is tedious. You may need multiple rains to get them all. Persistence pays off. And the wine makes it possible :)

Weeds and grass are the high maintenance drawback of every ground cover.

I have a De Groot's Spire Arborvitae that looks like yours. Does that name ring a bell?