A Walk through My Garden, part 2
My astilbes are happy here at the back of my yard. There's a small creek not 5 yards from where they are. The soil is generally moist and it's been a wet summer. Last year, I tried astilbes up on a hill under some trees. They received a lot less water and more sun than they do back here. If I had watered my astilbes enough up on the hill, they probably would have survived. However, back here, I don't have to worry about them as much. I watered them thoroughly when I put them in, then the moisture in the soil took care of them for the rest of the summer. The lesson to take away here is to try plants in varying locations. If you work hard enough, you can probably make any plant grow anywhere, but it's best to match the plant with the environment. You have fewer diseases and pests this way.
The black plastic you see in front is my way of killing off an area to plant with other flowers. Once everything is dead, I remove the plastic and use it elsewhere. Then I heap on the compost and leaves and fill in the area. This is the only time I use black plastic. It doesn't let water, air or nutrients through to your plant roots. That's why I only use it to kill off an entire area, then remove it.
This flower is here because I've forgotten its name and I forgot to write it down. This is a good learning example for beginners. Always write down the names of plants you put in. Do it right away because it's amazing how quickly you forget what they were called. In any case I used these particular plants because they attract butterflies. If you're going to have flowers, might as well pick ones that lots of creatures other than yourself can enjoy.
Here are some Cannas I've planted by my den window. I can also see my forsythia bushes blooming in the spring. When you go to plant your front beds, chose tall flowers that you can enjoy when you're inside, too. It's so cheery to be able to see a bright blossom right out the window. Canna, yucca, tall alliums, dahlias, tall roses and flowering bushes are all good plants for a window display. For beds further from your window, plant in masses so you can see your flowers from inside. Reserve the tiny blooms for along pathways and other areas you walk past.
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