I started with the tiny patch of lawn between the sidewalk entrance and driveway (Spiced Up Sidewalk). Then carried on through to the other side. I threw some curves into the front row. Our porch curves outward and I thought it would be nice to mimic this. I added sambucus black lace next to the barberry. I like the burgundy and dark foliage shades against the stucco of our house. (Hopefully the white paint on the stucco in front will wear off in a few more years - it came that way.)
The front of our house receives full sun all day into the evening. The soil is true clay - rock hard cement that literally cracks when dry, muck that you can literally sculpt when wet. I then connected the other side of the sidewalk entrance to the main bed. I added a little stone shortcut. It has taken me several seasons to get to this point. The soil is still not great but is improving. Silver brocade, snow in summer, lamb's ear, sea holly and russian sage standout against the dark foliage. A number of different sedums and thymes do well here.
Originally I had planted a cornelian cherry tree here but it just did not like this spot. It is much happier out back. So, I have continued the tapestry of dark, silver / blue, and chartreuse foliages with karl forester grass, blue star juniper, iris, agastache golden jubilee and sedum maestro. There is a wildlife friendly cherry tree seedling in the cornelian cherry's place that will either "make it or not."
The plants are now beginning to fill in and weave together. I will continue expanding this bed over time right up to the sidewalk. I envision more sedums, groundcovers, and hardy low growing evergreens but would like to incorporate natives. Not to worry, the inukshuk will show me the way.
Wow! What a beautiful and amazing difference. I love all the colors you've got growing there. You have a really pretty house with so much character.
ReplyDeleteYour home is beautiful, and you have done a great job adding color to the front. I really like the colors you have chosen against the color of the house.
ReplyDeleteVery nice job on the front landscaping. I am slowly trying to do this with my daughter's house. She is a little unsure of digging up more grass but I think she's ready for a new look to the front of her house. The only thing holding me back is that she might decide to enclose her porch, which would mean all the landscaping would get trampled. I have no grass between my sidewalk and house. My hubby loves it, no mowing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Our house was built in 1876. When the winter winds blow I always remind myself of that. It has been really difficult to work the front because of the clay, the very full sun - warms you up pretty good - and showing my back side street side - ha. Good for you Bonnie! You are an inspiration! If you just plant perennials for your daughter, they could be moved during porch construction? Plants really are so much more enjoyable than a dried up lawn. Eventually I hope to plant two crab apples between the street and sidewalk as well. That should give a little more privacy and filter the sun.
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