This is Joseph, your GPOD editor, welcoming you to my new garden in South Bend, Indiana. I moved here almost exactly a year ago. When I moved in, the garden had been abandoned for two years and had turned into a mass of invasive weeds.
This area along the back fence was lined with invasive shrubby honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii, Zones 3–8). Cutting it all out was quite a task.
My goal the first fall was to get everything cleared out, including the weeds dug out, and the ground all ready for planting.
And here’s what the same bed looks like today. Long-term, I think it’ll be mostly perennials, but I wanted to get it filled in fast, so there are lots of annuals mixed in, like this wonderful red Salvia microphylla (Zones 7–9 or as an annual). The hummingbirds come by a few times every day and visit each flower.
Here’s looking down the bed in the other direction. I’m fairly happy with it, but I will do some moving around and replacing this fall. Dahlias (Dahlia variablis, Zones 8–11 or as a tender bulb) in the back are just coming into bloom.
This is one of my favorite plants of the year, something I’d not grown before: Penstemon × mexicale (Zones 5–8). It is a complex hybrid of several North American native speces and has bloomed nonstop all summer. The bees love it. Penstemon generally prefers well-drained soils, and mine is sandy, so I hope it’ll be long-lived.
Another favorite plant this year is Iris dichotoma. I’m not sure this will be hardy for me; most sites list it as Zone 6, and I’m on the edge of Zones 5 and 6. But even if it doesn’t come back, I’m enjoying it as an annual. These beautiful flowers are sometimes called “vespers iris” because they open up in the late afternoon each day.
In the front of the house I added window boxes. They have grown a little out of hand! I might try a simpler planting next year.
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Comments
Taking care of flowers, gardening is a really nice hobby. It's a great feeling to see those plants growing flowers. basket random
Kudos Joseph, on that daunting cleanup and floral loveliness!
My mother lived in that area for nearly forty years. On my regular visits from NE Ohio I always observed how lushly everything grew. And her climate was always milder than our zone 5, with spring coming a few weeks earlier, and fall a little later.
Starting a garden from scratch can be hard work. Nice job Joseph!
I love your riot of colors Joseph, and especially admire your window box plantings.
Removing overgrown weeds and vines, starting from scratch is a major job, that was me in 2007, but the joy and beauty you see as you make progress gives you such a feeling of accomplishment. Good luck in your new home and happy gardening.
Job well done. It looks gorgeous! I’m sure the pollinators appreciate all your hard work!
Having cleared bush honeysuckle from a friend's gardens, one last October, and one in April, I have some idea of the chore that you faced! How did you deal with all the roots left? Your annuals are spectacular, and I really love the sophistication of your window box - don't change it too much next year!!
Starting a new bed - the best of gardening. We have all been surprised at the abundance of the potato vine!!!
This is a beautiful kaleidoscope of a garden - makes me happy! Good job!
That's quite the transformation - daunting start and amazing results in record time! Hats off to you.
I love your flower border with the annuals & perennials mixed together- it has such a classic look, reminiscent of some historic garden paintings from turn of the century to around 1930s!
I really-really love your garden style!
Hi Joseph, I love the views of your new long border and if that is a newly added fence at the end, I think it looks great! It looks like you may have just missed some serious storm damage judging by the neighboring garage! I also love your new window box planting. Did you build the box yourself or find one ready made? I need to replace my window boxes too.
Keep up the good work, Cheers!
Your new garden is turning out so beautifully! Love your new plants. Congratulations & Enjoy!
Melissa Grosso
#thebusybee4
I am sure it was hard work but your results are very rewarding!
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