SPRING 2023 BACK YARD UPDATE

Hello! Happy planting season everyone :) I hope you’re all out in the garden, enjoying the spring as much as I have been. Work has been busy but I feel like the garden has been busier. I’ve been able to get several trees, shrubs, and perennials into the ground to fill up some of those empty beds in the back yard and it’s starting to take shape!

Various blooms shapes, foliage textures, and foliage colors keep this corner of the garden exciting

^^ Right side updates:

My main goal on this side is to hide the fence. I have a Serviceberry tree flanked by two Junipers and am filling in the back layer with larger shrubs - Hydrangea, Ninebark, and a Smoke Bush. Each of those will be 5’+ at maturity and will create a lovely backdrop to the shorter shrubs (Spirea, Boxwoods) and perennials (Salvia, Veronica, Baptisia, and Russian sage) in front.

I finally got more slate stepping stones and finished the paths to this garden from the patio and a walking path behind the Birch tree. Behind the Birch, I’m filling in with Ajuga groundcover and … other things I haven’t figured out yet!

Greens, yellows, and reds to keep the shrub border interesting

^^ Left side updates:

In order to cover up the years of deer damage on our Arborvitae hedge, I’m creating a mixed tree & shrub border to disguise it a bit. A ‘Beni Otake’ Japanese Maple has been added to the tree inventory, as well as plenty of evergreens to fill in under the Arbs - Weeping Norway Spruce, Soft Serve False Cypress, Forever Goldie Arbirvitae. Interplanted with the back layer of evergreens is another Ninebark, Karl Forester Feather Reed Grass, Calycanthus, and Diervilla. I’ll also be moving a Viburnum into this area as well. Each and every plant is positioned to cover the most visual space when viewed from our patio door.

Still yet to be planted are the perennials in front for some spring and summer color. My personal garden style is a mixture of cottage garden & mixed shrub border, so there is so much more to add to get that full, natural look I’m going for. No straight lines here!

I love how creating these large beds has given me the freedom to really play with foliage color, varying textures, and different bloom colors throughout the seasons. I’m so happy to have this space to experiment with plants and get hands-on experience and knowledge that I can pass on to anyone who will listen.