Garden

[mousiegirl]

---

@Lilysmom wrote:

@mousiegirl,hi!  I love the grasses too.  I lost a few last winter and have been pondering replacing one or two.  I think 'No, I won't do that' and then I see how lovely they are swaying in the wind.  Maybe just one, famous last words.  We have a lot of rocks here and I tried one plant in among the granite.  It died.  Won't do that again.  Live and learn.

My tree stump plants have all turned out very well.  The hydrangeas and thyme seem to flourish there.  DH made me a stairway into one of my gardens and I am lining it with all gold Japanese forest grass and thyme.  It is just new so it doesn't look like much yet.  I don't want to clean up too much here yet until next year because I am worried about potential erosion. I have placed little pockets of thyme aside the risers and between the grasses.  What do you think? LM

 It looks fantastic lilysmom, and when it is all filled in, WOW!  I love the light green plants as they really light up a dark spot and are a great pop of color.  You are so lucky to have all the rocks and in a scattered form.  We have some huge rocks placed here and there by the former owners, and large areas in which rocks were placed to raise a bed to a much higher level, and river rocks below which are now covered over with soil that has washed down on them through the decades, but other than these,

I tried to dig the river rocks out when I was still able to sit on the ground without having difficulty getting up, lol, but it was tedious and I could see that it would take forever to accomplish this so decided that maybe one day I would just have more brought in and dumped on top.

I do have some tree stumps, but through the years as trees died, I had a stump remover company come in and grind them up so that I could plant there again.  Prices have risen, so I am going to make do with them.  I was leaving a dead pine tree up for the birds, but after a few years, it fell, and cost over $1,000 to remove it though DH and I cut and stacked as much as we could, and it will be burned in the fireplace this Winter.

When the weather cools off, we will begin to dig some new beds to hopefully fill in next Spring.  Your pictures have given me some ideas of what to do with certain plants like Sedum and grasses.

---

[JustJazzmom]

@Lilysmom

The ferns will probably grow faster than the Hakone grass (Japanese forest grass). The forest grass is in bloom by me now.

I also started fall clean up today by cutting down my peony stems and putting away the hoops.

[Lilysmom]

@mousiegirl, the stairs are in a fairly shaded spot so the color will help brighten it.  

I know what you mean about the cost of removal.  When we cleared our lot for building, the builder told us we would have to be present at clearing time if we wanted to save trees.  Of course we did.  The backhoe operator was wonderful.  You know how they just move in and flatten everything in sight? We are one of the only lots where trees remain and I am very thankful as we have some old lovely draping oaks and maples and a lot of birch.  We had to clear some spruce trees, most of which were rotten inside.  I have been planting in the stumps and working around the rocks which are plenty.

If you bring in rock, put some landscape cloth underneath so they don't get lost in the soil.  I have a bank that was full of blackberry bushes that I cleared and did this.  LM

[PINKdogWOOD]

@Lilysmom  I'm still so impressed your garden continues to go strong!!  Is that a burning bush that beginning to change color?  If so, aren't these so gorgeous in the fall.  Love these.  I also believe I saw the blue balloon flowers going strong too. 

I see your Lab(?) enjoys hanging on the patio too with her (?) little eyebrows getting grey.  I'm assuming your call name Lily is your dog.  Pardon me if I'm wrogn on this.

If your garden is still so beautiful, may I ask what state you live in?  Thanks as usual for sharing.  God's creations with your hands certainly say what gives you peace and joy in your life. 

Oh I just saw your holly too.  We have a wonderful male & female in our yard too! 

[Lilysmom]

@JustJazzmom, I love the ferns.  I will only take out enough to give my grass room to establish.  We are very fortunate to have a lot of ferns on the property naturally.

I am going at the fall cleanup one job at a time.  There is still much to do!  LM

[Lilysmom]

@PINKdogWOOD, thank you for your kind words.  Yes, my Lab is called Lily.  She is 8 years old and has been sporting the gray hair since the age of 5.  Don't let that fool you.  She is one active dog!

Yes, that is a burning bush.  I have two and this one is turning color in its own way.

I am in Nova Scotia, on Canada's east coast.  One weather is much like Maine.  Our winters can be hard but we are coastal so it usually doesn't get too bad.  Except for last year which was awful!

Our weather these days is highs in the low 70’s, cool evenings and mornings.  I have think my DH is finished swimming this year but I will hang in there a bit longer.

Enjoy the beautiful Fall weather. LM

[PINKdogWOOD]

@Lilysmom  OOPS!  I forgot I did ask you where you live.  I totally forgot that you're from NS. 

It's so funny & cute I think when our pooches turn grey like we do.  And your Lily has many years still ahead of her!  When my poodle Wallace starts to grey I'll never be able to tell since he's black & white.  He's 3 1/2, will be 4 yrs early December. 

[Allegheny]

I love everything!!! I remember posting with you a couple of times when you first started planning your garden. I am so proud of you and admire the hard work and effort you have put into making this beautiful place on earth.

[Lilysmom]

@PINKdogWOOD, your poodle must be like my friends.  The dog (Rosa) started as black and is now the color of ash.  She is about six years old now.  My friend trains her in agility exercises to burn off some of her energy.  The dog is amazing.  I am 5'7" and with little effort, Rosa jumps to my eye level.  And smart as a whip.  When I travel, Lily stays with this friend and her poodle.  She was the owner of a retired seeing eye dog (Lab) who was Lily's best buddy for years.

Thanks for stopping by to see my garden pictures!  LM

[Lilysmom]

@Allegheny, yes, I remember starting the rock wall discussion.  It's hard to imagine that was only a year ago.  It has filled in so nicely and looks like it has been there always.  It doesn't take long.  It is one of my favorite gardens because there are so many rocks there is little room for weeds.  Love that!  LM