Plant Bed Re-work - Phase Two, Final

Before

This is phase two or the final phase of the plant bed re-work project which I first wrote of here, at Plant Bed Re-work - Phase One.

In phase two we planted a dwarf weeping japanese maple and several coleus of varying colors and variegation. We also moved a fatsia and transplanted several irises the customer was gifted from a friend. In due time, the coleus will gain height and width and add a beautiful mix of colors to the bed.

After

Other Bed - Before

Before coming back for phase two, we stopped by to help lower the high pH (see Plant Bed Re-work - Phase One.) of the bed by applying a soil acidifier, while we worked on another bed.

When we found this (the other) bed it was, for the most part, a bunch of cast iron (aspidistra) plants and some variegated monkey grass (liriope muscari variegata).

The new golden mop threadleaf false cypress is a focal point from one point-of-view, while the remainder of the bed features a farfugium plant surrounded by a mix of varying species of hosta and coral bells (huchera).

Other Bed - After

The cast iron plants were moved rearward, closer to the pine tree.

The foreground of the golden mop is an arc of purple shamrock (very young, not visible), with the also-young variegated monkey grass filling the corner.

With time and growth, this will be an interesting mix of colors, shapes and textures.

We also fertilized and amended the soil with calcitic limestone plus soil moisture retention to slightly raise the pH.

Cordyline Fruticosa and Sweet Potato Vine in The Killer Pot

I was then off to place a cordyline fruticosa and some sweet potato vine in this killer kettle-shaped pot with its patina from some tastefully ornate metal wrapped around its girth. Soon, the sweet potato vine will be climbing up and out of the pot and heading groundward for the owner to do what he best sees fit.

Last, but not least, was one of my favorite plants, a lady banks rose, needing one of my favorite things to do, prune.

This girl was going crazy, not behaving and needing some control, some guidance. See She's a Lady. Well, Perhaps Not So Much.

I contacted a few providers and narrowed the choice of trellises to a few. Trellises are those things you usually want to see and touch before your purchase, so I contacted the customer and he chose my favorite after seeing them.

Lady Banks - Before

This trellis isn't too ornate and has a simple design. You don't want the backdrops for your plants being more attractive than them. And, you particularly don't want to do so with a lady banks rose as these uppity and gorgeous things are vengeful if you try to show them up. However; they still need assistance and this one needed mine, badly.

I firmly secured a few of the most mature canes to the trellis and then I tried to train the other less-mature branches/canes to the trellis. I then pruned for health reasons and aesthetics, having this girl cascade gracefully rather than dragging her heels on the carpet.

Lady Banks - After

Planning landscapes, beds and vignettes and caring for plants can be risky. But, usually those risks are minimal - far outweighed by the rewards.

Take positive advantage of that little world surrounding you.