Digging Deep & Planting New

This spring I am embarking on some major adjustments to plants and soil. Every year the wood lot behind the garden grows taller resulting in less light and more shade. As a result, I am switching out and replacing plants that will be more shade tolerant.

In addition, the soil in many of the small rocky areas along both sides of the Zen garden need to be replenished. As I place new plants and move older ones, I am taking the time to dig new holes and switch out the soil with new soil mixed with fertilizer.

I've also learned that the Hosta do not do well long term in these tight spaces and need to be dug up and split after a couple of years. Doing so will allow the smaller cutting to thrive and allow the extra cutting to be used elsewhere. Wherever possible, I am also trying to enlarge the location by readjusting the stones to make the planting spot larger.

So far I have added at least nine varieties of new plants and moved five. I am sure the work will continue, but it will help invigorate the garden as summer approaches. Below are the new additions:

Patriot Hosta

Captain Kirk Painted Hosta

Wide Brim Plantain Lily Hosta

Shadowland Autum Frost Hosta

Bridal Veil Astilbe

Two Montgomery's Late Red Astilbe were added along the fence line.

Two Younique Raspberry Dwarf Astilbe were planted on either side of the Moon Window.

Two different Foxgloves were planted to test slug tolerance and shade in the Zen garden

Digitalis purpurea Foxy Foxglove

A Carillion Foxglove (Digitalis grandiflora 'Carillion') was added near a Forest Grass (since removed to make way for an Astilbe). 

In addition to these new plants, I also spit, moved, or re-soiled the following plants:

A Shade Fanfare Plantain Lily (Hosta 'Shade Fanfare') from 2014.

Plantain Lily 'Francee" Hosta

Jurassic Park Hosta

Pumpkin Spice Foamy Bells (Heusherella x 'Pumpkin Spice')

With some luck, all these additions and adjustments will result in a healthier garden.

Mrs. Krabapple Blooms

The arrival of spring is official now the Mrs. Krabapple has bloomed. The rainy weather caused some concern that the blooms would not last and fall early. In fact, we are getting a much longer bloom this season than last.

Over the last week the tree has gone through some dramatic color changes, starting with a deep red and pink.

The contrast with the First Flame Maple is stunning.

The bees have already discovered the joy of the blooms as they get off to a good start with pollination.

Later in the week the leaves began to take on a more muted pink color.

At dusk the color took on an almost purple view. 

Even Marmalade the cat liked it.

Time for a Change

I decide that this was the year to finally remove the Azalea (Rhododendron 'Farrow') from the central location along the Zen garden fence. 

Back in 2016, when I first planted it, it looked more shrub-like and was a nice feature, especially with its annual bloom of reddish-pink flowers.

Over the years it increasing thinned out and lost foliage. 

This year it was in very poor condition.

In its place I panted a Baby Blue Sawara Cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Baby Blue'). This evergreen shrub was grown to mimic a pom-pom, and although small in size now, it has the potential to grow 6' high and 4' wide. 

That level of growth will take several years and I should be able to keep it groomed and under control. 

I think it looks good in this central location within the garden. As an evergreen, it should add some new interest to the Zen garden viewing experience, even in the winter.

Buddha Makeover, Part 2

After power washing Buddha and cleaning up the corner of the garden, I sought out new plants to redesign the corner.

Initially I was setting Buddha back towards the corner. 

For years he was located further back and I was left with no viable option to plant anything interesting behind the statute. However, this time around it occurred to me that I could move Buddha further out from the fence line, close to the stone edge. Doing so would provide ample space for me to add a backdrop of plants that would help Buddha blend in more naturally with the garden and break up the hard contrast of the fence directly behind the statue.

Wanting to add some winter interest to this location, I decided to plant two NewGen Freedom Boxwood on either side of Buddha. These shrubs will grow slowly over time and will frame Buddha in a symmetrical fashion. 

On the outer edge of the corner I planted two Aurea Bowles' Golden Sedge (Cearex elata 'Aurea') that have a yellowish-green color that will add some contrast to the dark green of the Boxwoods. 

Behind the two Boxwoods and partially behind Buddha, I planted two Moccachino Astilbe (Astilbe x arendsii 'Moccachino'). These plants will produce a white bloom during the summer that I think will accentuate the statute, especially given that the white blooms could symbolize the purity of Buddha. These blooms will eventually fade, but will remain uncut until the end of the season.

Directly behind Buddha, and out of site, I planted a Hillside Black Beauty Bugbane (Cimicfuga ramosa 'Hillside Black Beauty'). This plant will eventually grow taller and add a dark brown color scheme that will distinguish itself from the nearby Astilbe. Additionally, each fall it will produce a dramatic bloom of white which will once again remind the garden visitor of the purity of Buddha.

I do not want to add mulch or moss the the remaining open area in front to Buddha. Doing so would result in the statue once again become dirty and discolored over time. Instead, I placed a small crushed gravel stone that has a reddish-brown tint. 

The color will add some differentiation to the garden that mimics mulch, but will be much easier to maintain.

Although the finished look appears much more crowded, I like the look. I may have to trim back some plants occasionally, but I am hopeful that this renovation will prove more pleasing to the the eye. I'm sure it will not be the last time I rework this area, but for this season I will sit back and enjoy.

Buddha Makeover, Part 1

After 13 years, it was time to give Buddha and the corner of the garden a major makeover. 

The plantings in this area experienced several changes over the years. A couple of ferns behind Buddha, two Astilbe and Bottle-Rockets on either side, and some small Mouse-Ear Hosta had defined the corner for most of the time. There had also been a good amount of Black Mexican Stone in front and surrounding Buddha.

A couple years ago I removed the stones after the Mouse-Ear Hosta had failed to return. I then allowed moss to cover the area. The soil around the statue contributed to the discoloration of the statute, requiring that I take Buddha out of the corner and give him a serious cleaning with a power washer. 

I was able to make good use of the moss by transplanting it to the curved edge where the Hosta had been located. First I removed a lot of the weed fabric that had been inhibiting the the ability of the plants to grow. This edge had also become unsightly, especially during the non-summer period after the Hosta had been cut back. Once opened up, I then filled the gaps with the moss.

Following the power wash, Buddha looks brand new and has an almost gleaming white shine. In actuality, its made of cast cement, very heavy, but it also able to handle a power wash.

I then cleared out the corner and prepped it for the addition of new plants.

I will now start the process of seeking out new plants to help Buddha return to his status as the garden patron who helps ensure the continued beauty of the garden.

An Old Friend Returns

I was surprised to discover that a small Tree Frog has once again occupied the Moshi Post Lantern. I usually don't notice the frog's arrival until later in the summer, but we have been getting a lot of rain this spring, so perhaps the moisture has contributed to his willingness to venture out and re-introduce himself.

It always amazes me to see his ability to so seamlessly blend in with the granite lantern. This time I was also rewarded with its incredible croaking, which was magnified by the open interior of the lantern.

Both beautiful and entertaining, this Tree Frog is a welcome guest sure to bring great joy during the coming months.

Gone, But Not Forgotten

As April winds down, the garden is full of small bursts of color from the early blooming plants.

Often, these plants bloom when the garden is still in a state of cleanup. These plants are often small and unnoticed, especially later in the summer after other plants draw more attention. However, they are the best source of early spring color and beauty.

This Lungwart (Pulmonaria 'High Contrast') has been in the garden since 2014 and has reliably filled a small niche within the stones along the north edge of the Zen garden. The blooms last a couple of weeks and add some much needed color to the garden, especially in the early spring when the garden seems bare.

A small Epimedium grandiflorum ('Spring Wedding') has also occupied a small niche within the rocks. The blooms arrive very early and only last a short time before they disappear. However, the delicate bloom of white and pink is a wonderful sight to behold. This plant has been a reliable as a rock-gap filler and continues to bring joy to the early spring garden viewing experience.

Throughout the garden there are a number of Heartleaf Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla "Jack Frost'). Planted as early as 2012, I have been able to take cuttings and spread new plants into small gaps throughout the garden, Many times new plants emerge on their own and I simply transplant them to more appropriate locations. The beautiful deep blue flowers add much needed interest to the early spring garden. The foliage also continues to grow and expand throughout the summer. The differentiated white and green leaves are one of my favorites. Another added benefit is that slugs don't like to eat them - the texture is to "scratchy" for them.

Soon the garden will transition into the summer and these lovely flowers will be gone, but knowing they will return next season always leaves me with excited anticipation for the arrive of yet another spring season. They may be gone, but they will not be forgotten.

The Immortal Flame

As early spring sets in, the First Flame Maple "Iseli Introduction" (Acer x pseudosieboldianum) in the viewing garden has begun it's transformation with a burst of crimson red.

As one of the first dramatic transformation of the season, the First Flame symbolically represents the beginning of a new garden season, one that I am hopeful will result in changes and new beginnings elsewhere in the garden. 

As I begin to review my plans for this season, I am taking some time to appreciate the beauty the First Flame offers.

Soon it will continue its own transformation with dramatic color changes as summer approaches.

The Naked Truth

The Dwarf Maples in the garden are only just starting to show sings of buds announcing the long awaited arrival of spring.

I have spent many years pruning these Maples and treating them more like outdoor bonsai. During the summer months visitors to the garden do not always see the intricate features of the pruning. 

The Viridis Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum dissectum ‘Viridis’) in the Zen garden was planted back in 2009 when the garden was first built. 

The one in the Dragon's Spine dates to 2010. 

Both would have been much larger if left unattended, but I have diligently kept them under control via frequent pruning. As a result, they are not only beautiful in the summer, but throughout the year as each season highlights different features of each tree. 

Soon they will be covered by a canopy that will hide the beauty which lies beneath as a new season of transformation begins.