I've been slowly adding plants in. I've found a couple of native plants for this area and think I will also add a Sword fern which is a native evergreen fern. The shrub against the fence is a Flowering Currant (Ribes Sanguineum) 'King Edward VII' - a native shrub - which will be smaller than my other Pink Flowering Currant.
Another Pacific Northwest native wildflower is Lewisia cotyledon. This is more of an alpine plant which according to the tag likes "perfect drainage". Hopefully this sunny area in a bit of gravelly soil will work. There are lots of little flower buds growing on it. I've been working on adding more native plants into my garden.
Astrantia 'Sunningdale Variegated' really is pretty tough. I dug into it twice after transplanting it here. This was new to my garden last year and I can't wait to see it bloom this year.
I love how these two Heucheras are looking together 'Green Spice' is the closer one and 'Berry Smoothie' is right next to it. Right behind them I found some Foxglove seedlings that have flower buds on them.
The little Pink Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) is doing well here too. They don't seem to be very fast growing trees, so I'm sure it'll be many years before it looks like the one in our front yard.There is still work to do here, but so far I'm really happy with how it's filling in.
My in-laws are coming to visit this week and I'm glad our predicted weather is sunny and warm, hopefully we can spend some time outside now that the garden is looking good. That way I'll be forced to just enjoy it while we visit rather than on the ground weeding.
Hi Catherine, I think that new bed looks so great! It's full of cooure just the way I loke it. And I keep smiling when I see the plants in your garden. We sure have a lot in commun =) 'Green Spice' is a beauty and that Ligularia.. is it 'Desdemona'? I only wish that we lived closer to each other so that I was abel to see your garden (and you of course)with my own eyes! I do hope the weekend brings nice weather to all of us / kram gittan
ReplyDeleteIt should be coloure and the way I like it - I slipped on the keyboard again =) Ups!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great area! The shed is adorable Catherine.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely little shed you have - it will make all the difference to your tools and to ease of gardening. You're right about the Dogwood - very slow growing. We planted one seven years ago and it is dwarfed by other trees planted at the same time. It's hardy though,and delivers gorgeous blossoms for its size.
ReplyDeleteThe garden looks great! I like the shed too. It's perfect for that side of your house and blends in very well. I may have to think about that color for mine. I'm still having trouble decided how to paint it. Dogwoods will take years to get of any real size but that's probably perfect for your location!
ReplyDeleteCatherine that garden is looking SO GOOD!!! Nice and full already. I see something I have to have - well among other things - that Berrie Smoothie Heuchera to go with my Green Spice. What a great combination! Love your Dogwood too.
ReplyDeleteLove your little garden. Wish I had a garden shed. I make do with the garage, but it isn't perfect.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
The bed is really looking good. You've got a nice blend there. That "currently named shed" is just too cute!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great "shed garden!" Your shed is so cute with the front deck. I love my shed. It is my own space and a retreat. Your garden is looking great. I love it. I, too, am trying to plant more natives.
ReplyDeleteLewisia cotyledon is an amazing native and I have had great success with it in several areas of our garden. You planted it perfectly!
ReplyDeleteCatherine - you have done an awesome job on the garden. It is already so full and shows the hard work you've put into it. Hope you enjoy it with the family and the good weather too.
ReplyDeleteLooks very pretty! I bet you love having a space for all your gardening stuff. You always pick out great combinations!
ReplyDeleteOh, Catherine it is filling in so pretty. I really like your two Heucheras together.I have only saw Lewisia in catalogs so I was wondering what they really looked like. I guess I do not trust catalog pictures too much LOL! It is pretty though.I have saved you some Brunnera seeds.When they dry out a little more I will stick them in the mail.
ReplyDeleteYour shed garden is as sweet as can be. You've done a great job. I've had my shed 10 years and still call the garden on the south side, my shed garden. :-)
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend with your family.
FlowerLady
Good heavens ! It looks like something out of a magazine ! My shed is my back deck , and it is a basket..or rather the floor of the deck for my stuff. Gee, I really have to get to work on something so fab for my tools, Gina
ReplyDeleteLooks like everything is filling in nicely! I've been experimenting with some new heucheras myself and just planted some 'Marmalade' this spring, although it seems to be losing some of its gold tones - maybe because it's getting a lot of shade. But now that I've read your post I MUST have 'Berry Smoothie' in my garden. I'm checking with my plant broker today to see if they have a grower that carries it.
ReplyDeleteOnce again I have to say "I love your garden shed" it would look great in my yard. Your plants look wonderful, I can't wait to see how much they fill in over the summer months.
ReplyDeleteCatherine, The shed and garden are very welcoming. I especially love the Heucheras. I know your in-laws will enjoy spending time in your garden and enjoying all your hard work. It's always fun to accessorize once all the hard part is finished!
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful shed and garden. Decorating will be fun!
ReplyDeleteIt's adorable! I love the neatness and tidiness of it all. I noticed that ligularia right away. A perfect spot to while away the hours...
ReplyDeleteThe dahlias are coming up-albeit slowly. I'll do a post a bit later-you'll love what I did with them all, just wanted to update you.
A very tidy garden. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteI just adore your little shed! How big is it in size? I'd love to have a place besides the garage to store my tools. I'd call it the shed garden. Seems apt to me. I noticed my one foxglove has a bloom also. I have it up in a pot where the dogs can't reach it.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Catherine its so great to see your new little bit of garden coming together. I find when I grow lewisia that it can survive a few of our wet winters when its grown on its side so that when the rain falls on the rosettes that the water runs off them rather than collecting in the centre.
ReplyDeleteThose heucheras really did jump out of the screen at me and I'm so glad you shared their names with us. They are a lovely combination. I've never seen a variagated astrantia before - must look one of those out as they grow well in my garden. :) Rosie
Gittan - We sure do grow a lot of the same things! This Ligularia is 'Othello', I have another one that has gotten huge. If you ever make it to Washington I would love to meet you!
ReplyDeleteTina - I was wondering how the Dahlias were doing. Mine haven't shown yet and I was beginning to wonder if I did something wrong dividing them.
Rosie - Thanks for the tip on Lewisia!
Love, love, LOVE this post and the shed seems to have endless possibilities. I like the way you show and describe the plants in the garden, and since we garden in the same geographic area this is helpful!
ReplyDeleteCatherine, so glad the nice weather finally found you. Your garden is looking great! I wonder if the Lewisia would do well here? It has such a lovely flower. We certainly have lots of rocky sandy soils here, so drainage won't be an issue!
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine,
ReplyDeleteThe shed is so charming! Take a look at the Meadowbrite Echinaceas, Art's Pride, Mango and a pink one, that I just bought - can't remember name. They are very loose and airy looking, not stiff like regular coneflowers. I have them by my shed and they look cottage-like.
I just bought Astrantia Major Star of Royals. I had several Lars Major, trouble keeping them, and decided to switch to one that has a better record in our area - so now I have some Lars and some Royals.
Eileen
Catherine, your shed garden is adorable. And your shed is not ugly, like mine. (my husband is fixing that, though!) Great use of this space!
ReplyDeleteWell, of course, it is adorable! I really like Berry Smoothie. I will be looking for that as I hit the nurseries.
ReplyDeleteI also like the Astrantia. Tough plants are for me.
The bed looks great Catherine. You can tell you spend lots of time in it. There isn't a weed to be seen.
ReplyDeleteCatherine, Your shed is just charming, and I can't believe how well established this garden area looks already! It's beautiful. I love that variegated Astrantia; I'll have to look for it. -Jean
ReplyDeleteYour garden is always so inspiring! I love how it's all looking so cheerful in front of your shed.
ReplyDeleteI love your shed!! Maybe someday I will get to have a cute shed like that!!
ReplyDeleteYour garden shed is adorable, as is the garden in front of it. I never see flowering currant in garden centers here, only on blogs. That's too bad.
ReplyDeleteAs many others have said, the shed is adorable. I love the planting you have in front of it, with the combination of wine-red foliage with the blue and pink flowers.
ReplyDeleteThat shed totally ROCKS. I want one now.... You beds look great. We've had a lot of rain here, so all we need now is the sun and we should start popping those buds.
ReplyDeleteOff to read about the fish.
Kate -TGB
The garden is filling in well for such a new bed. I like all the leaf textures and the pretty blooms. I just picked up some Heuchera 'Green Spice' this spring, and really like the leaf pattern.
ReplyDeleteYour shed looks great with the front door and landing.
How beautiful Catherine! Everything looks wonderful, it seems to be coming together so nicely & quickly. Great pictures. :)
ReplyDeleteYou have a knack for arranging new gardens Catherine. Whenever I start a new one, it takes awhile to get "out of the gate!" I agree it's looking really good ~ maybe sunshine will do that to my garden whenever it gets here.
ReplyDeleteYou would die if you saw my tools ~ piled into a corner in the garage and dirty to boot. I'd like to think I'd do better with a shed but I'm not sure!
I love your container too (in front of the shed).
ps How long have you had your Japanese maple in a container? Do they do well in one? I just purchased my first one and I was actually thinking about putting it in one of my big pots on the back patio. I read that they don't like wind?? So I thought I could protect it better that way...
How pretty is your shed Catherine?! We have just converted a shed into a summerhouse (cost half the price here in England) by putting perspex doors on instead of the wooden ones, but your 'shed' looks far prettier!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Betty xxx
It's very pretty. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your gardening.
Catherine
ReplyDeleteLooks so lovely, healthy plus neat!
Your garden is beautiful. And yes, I love the two heuceras together.
ReplyDeleteHow do you keep the slugs from chewing up your Ligularia? Mine are full of holes!
Looks very nice! It's already so full and orderly. I love dogwood just can't seem to take the plunge to try one myself in this climate.
ReplyDeleteKathleen - We've had that maple in there for about 4 or so years. It was a tiny tree when we bought it for a whole $5. I think they can stay in containers for quite awhile, I see them that way around here all the time. None of ours seem to be bothered by the wind either.
ReplyDeleteSandy - The slugs do get the Ligularia, but it seems like once the leaves get to a certain size they don't bother them as much. I usually just pretend the holes aren't there :)
Hi Catherine,
ReplyDeleteI hope you are enjoying time with your in-laws in the garden. It is hard for me to sit and enjoy the garden, because it seems that even tiny weeds have a bulls eye painted on them, which draws my eye to them. I just love your new shed.
Catherine....I'm totaly in luv with your shed. Here's a name suggestion -- The Blue Shed. lol
ReplyDeleteThe big, blue pot with the yellow flowers is just perfect.
Nice that you're having pretty weather. Did you send some my way? Cold and raining here. It seems we're having April weather in May.
donna
Have been wondering what to plant with my heuchera 'Berry Smoothie' ~ I think that you have come up with the perfect solution Catherine. Hope that you have a great weekend with your visitors.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute little shed! They are very nice, aren't they? I love getting organized.
ReplyDeleteYou will have a delightful time with your company! Your native plantings are so inviting. Hear tell the Lewisia likes a little cliff overhang to protect it. Mine is doing fine so far without it but I think I am going to try my hand at making some sort of replica of a rocky precipice for it.
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine~~ You're so right about the weather and how all of us [flora and fauna] are relishing it. I think "The Shed Garden" is a perfect name for this area. Your plantings look really healthy and happy. Have fun with your visitors.
ReplyDeleteHi dear
ReplyDeleteNice garden Shed.
I like it so..... much
The 'shed bed' looks great, Catherine;-) Love the natives! The flowering currant has a lovely bloom! Have a nice weekend;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info on your Japanese Maple in the container. I think I'll give it a whirl.
ReplyDelete