Thinning Out - Day 3

I spent a third day removing Japanese Painted Ferns (Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum') and Godzilla Ferns (Athyrium'Godzilla') from the Zen Garden.

The west end of the outer bed, along the fence line, was my primary work area. The previous day, I had worked along the eastern end and the center panel.

Center - Before

Center - After

The western end, however, was home to a large number of very large ferns embedded among the rocks that form much of the bed’s walls, making the removal process considerably more challenging.

I’ve learned a great deal about these ferns through this process. I originally planted only a few. They grew slowly at first, and during the garden’s early years, they were excellent for filling the voids within the upper beds, which consisted mostly of soil.

Eventually, I began noticing ferns appearing in places where I had never intentionally planted them. Apparently, mature ferns produce tiny, russet-colored spores on the undersides of their fronds. These spores can drift away and germinate when conditions are right. The process is slow, but the Zen Garden—with its shade, sprinkler system, and moss-covered soil—provides an ideal environment for their spread.

Initially, I didn’t mind. Free plants, after all! And the garden had not yet reached a stable state of maturity, so the ferns helped fill in the gaps. I also liked the way they appeared in nooks and crannies along the rock walls of the lower beds. They made the garden seem less man-made and more natural.

Over the last couple of years, however, the fern clumps seemed to be getting larger while new plants continued to appear throughout the garden beds. This year, it became clear that they were beginning to take over and overcrowd other well-established plants. It was time for the ferns to go.

Maple Area - Before

Maple Area - After

West End - Before

West End - After

I also removed the sedum from the lower bed after it had diminished and been overtaken by the ferns. I’ll replace it next spring.

I had seriously underestimated just how large Godzilla Ferns could become.

Overcrowding

They weren’t spreading nearly as much through spores; they were simply growing to enormous widths and heights. They, too, had to go.

After three days, I was still struggling to remove ferns, especially those growing within the stonework. They are nearly impossible to extract without deconstructing the surrounding rocks. And, as I’ve discovered, once a stone or two comes out, it never seems to want to go back into exactly the same spot.

As a result, much of my time has been spent rebuilding sections of stonework—stonework that, for the most part, has sat undisturbed for 17 years. I’ll admit that some of these beds were probably due for a little rethinking, so I’m not too upset about having to make a few adjustments. I just wasn’t planning to do this type of work this season.

On the bright side, I was able to retain seven large stones during the reconstruction that I can now use elsewhere in the garden.

Stones for Reuse

In addition to dealing with the fern situation, I took the opportunity to divide a Hosta ('Wide Brim') that had become too large. Half went into a bucket, while the other half was replanted.

I also removed and bucketed a Goat’s Beard (Aruncus 'Chantilly Lace') and replaced it with the American Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum) that I had removed from the east-end steps a couple of days earlier.

Surprisingly, I also found my stone turtle buried beneath the overcrowded ferns.

Although forgotten, he is no longer lost.

In total, I removed and bucketed no fewer than 50 ferns over three days, all of which I placed along the street at the end of the driveway for neighbors and passersby to claim as their own.

It has been an enormous amount of work—entirely unplanned, but necessary. In the process, I learned a great deal about managing ferns in a rock garden.

My best advice? Don’t plant them in a rock garden.

In soil, they are relatively easy to manage. Among tightly fitting rocks, however, they can become a real nightmare.

Unfortunately, I will miss these ferns. They were beautiful and did a wonderful job of improving the garden’s appearance during its early years. But gardens evolve, and what works beautifully at one stage may become a problem at another.

As next spring approaches, I’ll consider how best to fill the spaces they leave behind and ensure that the garden doesn’t lose any of its appeal.

Another stage in the ongoing education of gardening—and another reminder that a garden is never truly finished.

Thinning Out - Part 2

Although the focus of my thinning-out efforts is to remove ferns, I also took the opportunity to trim back several other plants that had simply become too large for their locations.

Several Japanese Painted Ferns, an American Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum), and a White-variegated Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra 'Albo-striata') had all taken over the area at the east end of the inner bed of the Zen Garden, where a series of small stone steps are located.

All of these plants had grown so large that it was impossible to see the steps or safely walk down into the Zen bed. 

before thinning

Additionally, the Maidenhair Fern would get caught on one's shoes when stepping down, and I wanted to ensure the plant would not be further damaged. It is the only surviving plant of several I planted back in 2021. Since then, after I relocated a small remnant to a spot near the steps, it has grown considerably. It looks fantastic, but it has clearly outgrown its location.

As I remove it, my plan is to keep the plant whole rather than divide it. I still don't know where it will eventually reside. It needs the right combination of sunlight, good soil, and adequate water to continue thriving – finding the right location for the right plant will be important.

The White-variegated Japanese Forest Grass had also become too large for its location. 

before division

after division

I decided to divide it into three plants: one to be replanted in the same spot along the top edge of the stairs, and two others to be temporarily bucketed for relocation.

This is not the first time I have divided this plant. In fact, there are already two other large plants on the property that originated from previous divisions at this location. Those plants will eventually need to be divided as well. When that is done, I should have six new, large divisions available for relocation or possibly to donate to neighbors.

Three ferns that had also grown along the stairs were completely removed and bucketed. They looked fine when they were small, but once they became established, their rhizomes and fine, fibrous roots spread into the cracks and crevices between the rocks. They also readily attached themselves to the contractor-grade weed fabric beneath the stones, making it difficult to extract.

Removing them requires moving rocks within the steps and their foundation, then reassembling the stones as best I can—a time-consuming task. It is a good reminder that plants that seem perfectly manageable when small can become considerably more difficult to deal with once they establish themselves in a confined space.

I also took the time to give the steps a “moss haircut,” removing stray moss from the stones and from the immediate edges around them. There is still a significant gap where the Maidenhair Fern had been growing, but a bit of moss from the back wood lot should help soften and improve the spot once the new moss is applied.

post thinning

For now, the inner bed of the Zen Garden has been thinned, ferns have been removed, and several plants have been divided in preparation for next season. The steps are once again visible and accessible.

Now it is time to move on to the outer bed of the Zen Garden, where most of the large masses of ferns reside.

Late Addition

I've had this unusual little plant growing in a bucket on the porch for most of the summer. It was labeled as an Astilbe, but I'm convinced it is actually a Korean Dwarf Goat's Beard (Aruncus aethusifolius).

Its leaves are remarkably tiny, and it produced a small cream-colored flower in mid-summer. Throughout the season, it maintained a neat, tight, compact form, which made it an especially interesting addition to the porch.

As fall approaches, I'm beginning to thin out some of the plants that have either become too large, like the hostas, or too abundant, like the ferns. I decided this would be the perfect time to move the Korean Dwarf Goat's Beard into a small opening in the lower bed of the inner Zen garden.

A Hosta (Shadowland 'Autumn Frost') had occupied this spot since 2024 but had since grown too large for the space. I moved it to a newly cleared area near the west end of the bed, making room for the much smaller Goat's Beard.

 Hosta (Shadowland 'Autumn Frost') - newly relocated

I'm hopeful that the Korean Dwarf Goat's Beard will thrive in this shady location, which also receives some dappled sunlight. My only concern is that its delicate foliage might become a tempting meal for the slugs. Here's hoping it settles in nicely and becomes a charming addition to the Zen garden.

Thinning Out - Part 1

The Zen garden has reached a level of maturity that requires less attention from me. Aside from occasional weeding and light trimming, most of the plants now require very little maintenance. The ferns, however, are a different story—they have exploded.

Originally, I planted only a handful of Japanese Painted Ferns, Ghost Ferns, and Godzilla Ferns. After several years, they have spread into many of the garden’s nooks and crannies. I often left them alone because their natural spread made the garden feel less manicured and more organic. This year, however, they have increased dramatically in both number and size. As a result, I’ve had to embark on a multi-day effort to thin them out and regain some control.

I started with the inner bed of the Zen garden, at the west end near the Mini Spirea.

Several Japanese Painted Ferns in this area had grown too large (not pictured). A Hosta ‘Patriot’, Irish Diamond Hosta, and a ‘Bridal Veil’ Astilbe had also outgrown their spaces. Together, they had filled the area, but they were beginning to crowd one another, with the Spirea suffering the most.

Hosta ‘Patriot’

‘Bridal Veil’ Astilbe

Mini Spirea (center), Irish Diamond Hosta (right)

After only two years, I decided to remove the Hosta ‘Patriot’. It had become too large for its location. Knowing it would continue to grow and its root ball expand, I felt this was the right time for removal.

I also divided a nearby Irish Diamond Hosta and the ‘Bridal Veil’ Astilbe, replanting half of each division in its original location. These too had grown too large for their locations. These changes should help reduce overcrowding while also allowing their newly reduced roots a chance to thrive in the small beds where they reside.

divided plants, replanted

Removing two of the Japanese Painted Ferns proved to be more difficult than I expected. Their roots had become tightly established among the surrounding rocks, so removing them required lifting many of the rocks as well.

Once the ferns were out, I had to rebuild the rock bed. Once removed, the rocks never fit exactly into their original positions, so rebuilding a stable rock wall requires some extra effort and trial-and-error replacement. I also took the opportunity to amend the soil in the small beds.

It was more work than I had anticipated, but this first section is now much more open. I now have a better idea of what to expect in terms of time and commitment as I make my way through the Zen garden over the next few days.

For now, I will hold off on replanting the open bed until I have finished thinning out other areas. I would like to fill it with an existing plant that is the right size and growth rate - choosing the right plant for the right location requires that I be patient.

Rainbow Delights

Rainbow paints the sky
Plants shimmer in the light
A quiet heart sings

Its not everyday that one sees a rainbow painted across the sky, but the garden was blessed with a gift that left me speechless yet my heart was full of joy.

Plained and Stained, Part 2

After using the same process as the Viewing Garden fence restoration, the facelift of the Stroll Garden fence is now complete.

There was a major difference between the newly stained panels in the Viewing Garden and the Stroll Garden.

The previous panels had only received one coat of stain when originally built, resulting in a much lighter stain color that did not hold up well over the years.

Once the panels were removed, I could concentrate on repairing and re-staining the rails and posts.

Overall, accounting for the weather, the project took about three days, making it much more efficient than the Viewing Garden's timeframe. The new planer worked fantastically, and the staining went like clockwork.

Although there are clearly some issues with the posts, they remain upright and should probably have about three years left before I need to consider replacing them. I am not looking forward to that process, as it will require completely disassembling and reconstructing the fence. However, this facelift should allow me to reuse much of the existing rails, roofing, and other features. It will simply be a time-consuming project, with some additional costs to ensure a more stable construction than the original. Adding post protectors and metal rail saddles will definitely be worthwhile improvements.

In the meantime, the facelift looks very good. Both garden areas now have fences that match the Zen Garden's appearance and gates. 

I’ll enjoy the view for the next few years while saving my dollars—and my energy—for the next renovation.

Plained and Stained, Part 1

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been working on a long-delayed maintenance project: renewing the fence along the Viewing and Stroll Gardens.

Back in 2021, I decided to build a fence along both of these gardens, using a style similar to the fencing in the Zen Garden. At the time, however, I had not yet experienced the 2022 Zen Garden fence renewal project, a major undertaking during which I learned a great deal about how to avoid the mistakes I had made in my original fence design.

Here are the mistakes I made with the Viewing and Stroll Garden fences:

• using unnecessarily expensive, thicker cedar boards for the panels
• failing to use plastic post protectors to prevent rot at the base of the posts
• neglecting to add metal rail saddles
• applying only one coat of transparent cedar stain to the panels
• complying with local codes by removing the roofing structure from the first three panels instead of seeking a variance, which contributed to weathering on top of the unprotected panels
• failing to adjust the bottom height of the first four panels to accommodate the slope toward the back of the property, resulting in bottom rails with little or no gap between the rails and the ground

Some of these mistakes were the result of my desire to save money. Others were simply due to inexperience, as I had not yet encountered the problems associated with the long-term use of untreated cedar as a fencing material. I became much more knowledgeable during the 2022 restoration of the Zen Garden fence, but that project took place two years after I had completed the Viewing and Stroll Garden fence.

I now know that getting 10 years out of the cedar posts will be the best I can hope for. Now, five years after construction, the posts are already showing significant signs of decay, although they are still standing. 

The other components of the fencing seem to be holding up well, and I am hopeful that when the time comes to replace the posts and add the features necessary for long-term durability, I will be able to reuse most of the rails, roofing, and panels.

For now, I am moving forward with a mid-cycle facelift. The posts, rails, roofing, and panels will all be re-stained. I will also take the necessary steps to sand and fill the tops of the rails on the unroofed sections of the Viewing Garden fence before they are re-stained.

I was surprised by how long this renovation has been taking. I have had to work carefully to avoid crushing plants in the Viewing Garden beds, while access to the outside of the fence is impeded by the neighbor's preexisting PVC rail fence.

I have also had to trench out soil and mulch along the bottom edge of the fencing. Over time, the occasional addition of mulch has raised the beds, and as a result, the bottom rails along the Viewing Garden now rest directly in the soil. To avoid rot and carpenter ants, I need to create some air space beneath the rails.

I am certain that I will not be able to reuse these bottom rails indefinitely, but for now they are still in good shape. In the future, I will correct this problem by shortening the panel boards on these three panels by three or four inches. This will create a wider gap at the base and improve airflow. The gap will be barely noticeable from inside the garden because the extensive plantings along the beds will conceal it.

Trimming the bottoms of the panel boards will also allow me to cut away any rot that develops there, making it possible to reuse the boards for as long as their condition permits.

The panel boards have held up remarkably well. Although faded, they remain structurally sound. Removing the old stain and the weathered surface, however, proved much more challenging than I expected. At first, I used handheld power sanders, but it took between 10 and 15 minutes to fully sand a single three-foot board. After several days of making very little progress, I gave up and purchased a benchtop planer.

The machine was expensive and heavy, but it ultimately transformed the project. I was able to plane all 80 panel boards in only a couple of hours. The boards looked practically new, and after applying two coats of stain, they looked even better than they did when I first built the fence.

Overall, it has been a lot of work, but once again I have learned which steps to avoid—and which ones are worth taking—when building a fence. The design isn't perfect, but for a DIY project, it continues to hold up remarkably well and adds to the garden's appearance.

Next step: complete the same process for the adjacent Stroll Garden.

Vanishing Ajuga

Early in the spring, I noticed that the Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow') growing in front of the Buddha statue was not returning with its usual vigor.

2025

The planting on the left side appeared to have died back almost entirely, while the right side remained healthy and continued to grow normally.

With the new front yard landscaping project underway, I did not have an opportunity to investigate the issue immediately.

By early June, the remaining plants produced their characteristic purple flower spikes, but only on the healthy right side of the planting (sorry, no photo).

By early July, the blooms long gone, the rest of the small bed looked fine, except for the missing plants on the left side.

At first, I considered whether the decline might have been caused by reduced sunlight from the nearby fence panels or insufficient moisture. However, neither explanation seemed entirely convincing based on the growing conditions.

After digging into the area, I discovered that the soil was in poor condition. It consisted primarily of sand and contained very little organic matter, providing a poor environment for healthy root development.

To correct the problem, I removed approximately 10 inches of the existing soil and replaced it with fresh, amended garden soil rich in organic material.

I then planted six new Bugleweed plants (Ajuga reptans 'Mahogany'), the closest cultivar I was able to find. Although the foliage differs slightly from 'Burgundy Glow', the variation should become less noticeable as the plants mature and spread.

The planting looks somewhat sparse at the moment, but Bugleweed is a vigorous groundcover that establishes quickly under favorable conditions. With time, it should fill the empty space and, hopefully, produce a full display of blooms by next spring.

Pining for Life

The Pinus thunbergii 'Thunderhead' (Japanese Black Pine) within Turtle Island has had a rough start.

After losing my first Black Pine, I planted a second tree in the spring of 2025, hoping it would establish itself and become the focal point I had originally envisioned. It appeared to settle in well during its first growing season, but by the end of winter, things were not looking promising.

Most of the needles had turned brown, and the tree appeared to be dead. I never determined the exact cause. My best guess is that the combination of winter cold and a lack of moisture caused winter desiccation before the young tree had fully established its root system.

Busy with the front yard landscaping projects undertaken this spring, I neglected the pine and postponed dealing with it until later in the summer—most likely to remove it. Instead, I removed all of the dead needles, cleaned up the branches, and left the tree alone. There wasn't much else to do except hope that a few dormant buds had survived beneath the bark.

To my surprise, they had.

July 8

Today, fresh candles have emerged across most of the branches, producing healthy new growth. The pine certainly looks a little unusual at the moment, with foliage concentrated only where the new buds have broken. 

Even so, it is alive and showing encouraging signs of recovery. If it continues to regain its strength over the next few seasons, its irregular branching pattern may actually lend itself nicely to cloud pruning, creating a more mature and natural appearance than I had originally planned.

The tree wasn't the only part of Turtle Island that needed some attention.

The original "feet" plantings, consisting of 'Silver Mound' Artemisia, had never really developed as I had hoped and were beginning to look untidy. 

As a result, I replaced them with four Rock 'N Round 'Bundle of Joy' sedum. Their bright yellow blooms provide a cheerful splash of color while remaining compact enough to preserve the turtle's overall shape.

Turtle Head

Turtle Tail

To finish the refresh, I spread a new layer of mulch throughout the bed. Besides giving the garden a cleaner, more finished appearance, the mulch will help conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds.

This little Japanese Black Pine still has a long way to go, and there's no guarantee it will fully recover. 

But after looking almost completely dead only a few months ago, seeing fresh candles emerge feels like a small victory. Sometimes the best thing a gardener can do is be patient and let nature have the final say.