Covered with Moss

May my lord's life endure
A thousand generations,
Eight thousand generations,
Until a pebble
Becomes a boulder
Covered with moss.
- Kimigayo, Japanese National Anthem

I've been working on the small moss islands in the Stroll Garden all summer (see April 17 post). 

The small island was planted with moss from my wife's vegetable garden. 

I am not sure what type of moss this is, but it was dark and clumpy. It was also not very pleasing to the eye. 

The larger island was planted with a combination of moss I had harvest from the edge of the garden near the wood lot and some left over moss from the vegetable garden. They did not go well together. Also, I didn't have enough to complete the entire bed, so I waited all summer for moss to grow elsewhere so that I could transplant it into the final 30% that was left unplanted. 

spring, 2016

I am not sure why, probably a combination of increased shade and daily watering, but the Zen garden is beginning to produce large quantities of moss throughout. I don't mind this so much, but I don't want it to take over completely. As a result, I had plenty of moss that I could extract and relocate to the larger Island.

First, I removed the moss that had been planted from the vegetable garden. Doing so allowed me to plant a similar variety of moss in its place. This moss is more green and bright, especially when wet.

I now have the bed completely filled. There is a bit of difference with some areas in terms of color and texture, and indication I am mixing different varieties of moss. However, it definitely looks better than the previous mix.

Most of this moss survived through the hot and dry summer, so I am hopeful that it will remain intact and healthy following the winter into next season. 

Perhaps in the future I can harvest enough to transform the smaller island, but for now, I like the look of the different moss.

Iron Butterfly

The Butterfly Narrow-Leaf Ironweed (Verononia lettermannii 'Iron Butterfly') I planted last fall began to bloom over the last week. The plant had been growing steadily all summer, but the purple flowers that have now bloomed have added some very nice interest to the garden.

This area along the see through fence has really turned out nice. having a sunny spot in the garden with colorful flowers finally has helped to add something other than green to the garden.

Fall Mulch

After finishing the work on the curved bed alongside the stroll garden it needed to be covered with a layer of mulch. I don't like to mulch in the early fall unless necessary. In this case, I thought it was best to give the plants a bit of protection before we head into the winter. There is still plenty of time for weeds to take root, so the mulch will go a long way to keep weeds from getting a foothold. It should also help to retain some moister as the plants establish their roots.

I am very pleased with how the bed has turned out and remain hopeful that these plantings will work. We will see how things look in the spring.

The only drawback is that the cinder block foundation is even more exposed than before. I had always hoped to just hide the foundation with plants. However, it may be time to consider having the foundation covered with a more appealing stone.

Standing on the Edge

While reworking the bed for the new Rhododendron along the Stroll Garden, I decided to take the time to modify the edging. I was inspired by the edging that I had see at the Missouri Botanical Garden Japanese Garden, Seiwa-En.

Along much of the garden's pathways, there is an edging comprised of grass - I think it was Mondo Grass, but I'm not 100% certain. 

I loved the way it separated the gravel areas from the walkway. Immediately, I though that I could incorporate a similar style within my own stroll garden.

I had incorporated a gentle curve separating the planting bed and gravel walkway into my original design. As a result, I thought that a similar grass could work as edging along the curve.

Once I adjusted the bed along the garage wall by leveling the soil and planted the newly purchased Rhododendron, I then began work on planting Super Blue Liriope (Liriope mascara 'Super Blue'). Its not Mondo Grass, but it was the closet thing I could find that was available, and relatively inexpensive. 

The Liriope will also result in a purple flower. I will need to keep an eye on how much these grow in width. I planted them only 8 inches apart, about half the distance I should have. If after one season they grow to wide, I can remove every other plant and use them elsewhere. I am hoping to get the ones I've planted to form one long border, so I am willing to take a risk with the close proximity. After two years I should also be able to split them and use portions elsewhere.

In the meantime, the initial planting looks good. However, I still have to re-mulch the entire bed. That may have to wait a while.

These Liriope like part sun, so the morning sunlight will do them well, and the afternoon shade should keep them from getting to much sunlight. In the meantime, we will have to see how this experiment turns out.

Rhododendron Stroll

I've decided to add some Rhododendron (Rhododendron 'P.J.M. Compact') to the garden. I have been hesitant to do so simply because I was concerned about the size that that the plants might reach. So, I decided to plant some small dwarf size plants along the edge of the garage alongside the Stroll Garden.

In total, I planted four plants, two on either side of the central spot. these are very small now, but I am hoping they grow larger in a few years.

These plants will get morning sunlight, but should be shaded most of the afternoon. I am hoping that this combination will be beneficial for the plants. Hopefully they will grow over time and help to hide the long foundation line along the garage. Since this portion of the garden is outside the enclosed garden, it is constantly visible to the public. Hiding that foundation will help make the view more appealing.

In order to plant here, I first have to level out this bed. I had left it angled a few years back when I first created the stroll garden, as a result, rain run-off from the garage roof has washed much of the mulch I placed here into the stone area. 

Stroll Garden - 2014

It has been difficult to keep the stones free of this debris. By leveling it off a bit, I can better control the flow of water, although I really should seriously consider creating a better drainage system. No time or money for that now, so we will relay on the sandy soil to absorb the water.

I also have to move some of the plants that I have placed here in the past - Clumping Bamboo (Fargesia rufa), Hosta, etc. 

I was essentially using this spot as a dumping ground for left over or damaged plants. These Rhododendron are the first plants I have actually purchased with the intent of placing them here. Finding a new home for some of these other plants will be a challenge. I am getting to the point where there are very few places left for me to add new plants. The main garden is full and I am holding off on the Dragon's Spine area until I extend the fence (hopefully next year). So, buckets may be their final destination.

Updates and Repairs

Picked up some plants today in an attempt to repair some long overdue areas within the garden.

First, I needed to replace some of the Variegated Liriope (Liriope muscari 'Variegata') that had been planted near the two large rocks at the south end of the Dragon's Spine near the gazebo.

I had originally planted three here, but over time one died. I replaced the dead plant, although the leaf color is a bit darker than the two plants that were already there.

I am worried about the plant in the middle. It seems to have thinned out and is no longer blooming. Perhaps I should replace that one as well?

Next, I needed to rework the area between the gazebo and the fence. I have always planted Hosta here, but over the years the plants were continuously eaten by some creature that likes the roots. I have finally decided to give up on Hosta here and so I purchased six Autumn Fern (Dryopteris erythrosora) to plant along this edge. First, I cleaned up the site and took out some of the soil so that it was no longer up against the fence bottom.

The ferns, which are a mounding fern, should do well here, its very shady. They will spread slowly over time. I am hoping that eventually the entire trench will be filled in.

Eventually, I will be able to split these plants as they grow, making it possible to spread them to other parts of the garden.

I also planted a Dwarf Korean Azalea (Azalea yedoense 'Poukhanense Compacta') along the front walkway into the garden, an area that has only had Hosta in the past..

I wanted to find a way to break up the long edge of stone along the driveway and simultaneously cover the corner of the garage foundation.

Its a bit risky. The Azalea will eventually grow to about 4-5 feet in width and height over time, roughly the size of the Korean Boxwood that is on the opposite side of the walkway along the house. I am also hoping that the Azalea will add some interest in the early spring when it blooms.

It will take a few years for it to reach maturity. One concern is snow accumulation along the driveway in the winter.  I will need to be careful to not shovel or blow snow into this location. I don't want to damage or crush the shrub.

Garden Highlights

The garden usually peeks around mid July, but this year my plant selections have finally resulted in a new blooming of early fall plants. Additionally, many of the plants that started out as new at the start of spring have begun to mature as they have taken root, adding some new interest throughout the garden.

Gaunyin looks fantastic as she is highlighted in a beam of light while looking over the garden.

The meter-lantern finally has a nice full bed of Variegated Japanese Forest Grass at its base that hides the rock foundation. It turned out exactly as I had wished. If it gets too crowded as the plants get larger next year, I can always transplant one out.

The planter box near the back garage door has finally produced some color, and its spectacular. Unfortunately, I forgot to record this plant when I planted it and have since lost the tag. I'm not sure what it is, a type of Sedum I believe (if you know, feel free to post).

The Buddha end of the garden is doing o.k., but you can see by the diminishing size of the Hosta as your eye travels from left to right, that the burning bush behind the fence has become to large. Its canopy is taking over too much of the area and beginning to effect the amount of sunlight that the plants in this area receive. I have spoken with the neighbor and received permission to take it out. I am torn. I have spent many years training and trimming that bush to grow, but is just becoming too big as it moves over the fence.I will decide what to do in the next few weeks.

Looking west towards the gazebo, the garden is still looking good for early September.

Many of the plants I placed along the see-through fence last fall have really done well. This week they are starting to bloom. In a couple of days I am certain there will be even more color.

Snow View in September

I went in search of discounted plants today, but didn't find anything I really liked. However, I did come across a small Yukimi-dōrō, or snow-view lantern.

These lantern tend to be ornamental only, and are often associated with water. They are placed near ponds and can be placed at the water's edge or on a flat stone directly in the water. In the winter snow will accumulate on the roof, hence the name. 

The one I purchased has four legs and is made of granite. Most of my other stone lanterns are more of a pink granite, so this bright white granite lantern should add some variety. 

I don't have a pond or water feature, so I am placing it in the stroll garden near the dwarf maple I planted last year. Perhaps the large gravel area at the end could be considered a "water" feature. 

I'm not sure if I will keep it in this location long term. I have to wait and see how the plants in this area do. I plan to transplant some more lilies later in the month to just behind the lantern along the fence. I also have a small grass plant to transplant. 

More importantly, I am worried about the maple. I have begun to call him "sicky" due to how poorly he has been doing. When I first planted him he was full of leaves. 

He quickly lost half his growth. I also may have over trimmed him and exacerbated the shock. I was sure he was dead by the time last winter set in. However, to my amazement, he came back to life in the spring and was doing well. 

However, upon my return from Oklahoma, after almost 5 weeks, he was is a disastrous state. The heat of summer didn't help. He may also be getting too much direct sunlight. I've removed most of the dead leaves, but I am going to leave the branches and stems alone and see what transpires next spring. If he continues to get worse he may have to come out. I can try moving him, but the shock of digging him up might kill him once and for all. We will have wait and to see. 

In the meantime, I am hoping the Yukimi-dōrō will add some interest to a sickly plant.