Since I am now pretending it’s already spring, it’s high time for me to narrow down my list of plants I want to grow in our new garden. There is not a single thing in our yard except for weedy grass and on random tree in the back corner that I have no idea what it is yet, so I practically have a clean slate to work with. I am starting with the biggies; the trees and shrubs I must have in my yard. I tend to make my picks based on their blossoms as opposed to their foliage.
I have no idea where I want to put these yet, all I know is that I want them in my garden.
From this list the ones I have no experience growing yet are the pussy willow, which-hazel and magnolia.
The only ones I grew unsuccessfully are the camellia, and forsythia. Both were among the first I planted in a brand new solid red clay yard, so was still very inexperienced with what exactly to add to the soil to really get them to thrive. The yard around this house is 80+ years old so lots of layers of decomposed nature will be my friend.
Now I realize that Lantana is not technically a shrub. But I consider it one as when it’s in full glory it takes up the same amount of room as a shrub, so therefor I treat it as one.
I plan on gathering these from local nurseries, as well as the bi-yearly arboretum plant sale and the farmer’s market. But this time (as opposed to any other time before) I will actually have a spot planned and ready to go before I buy it. Before I’ve always bought shrubs and trees first, to then have to find the perfect spot for it somewhere in the yard. But time are a changing! Oh I am becoming such a grownup!
(photos from www.naturehills.com and www.taylorsnursery.com)
