New Bonsai

We have had so much rain this May it has been almost impossible to do any gardening. Today the rain was so heavy that there was no working even with a raincoat on. Undeterred, I chose to work on transforming some damaged plants from the past into fake bonsai. To do so, I moved all my tools, dirt, and containers under the gazebo where I could stay out of the rain. It also allowed me to sit when needed and clip away.

In total, I created four new fake bonsai (note these are considered fake because I have not cutback the roots or modified the soil medium):

Autumn Moon Maple (Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon')

This Maple was bought back in 2022, and was damaged over the winter from a critter munching at its bark. Since then I have over wintered it in a secure raised bed and transplanted it each year into a new container. This year it recovered well and is now in a more appropriate, but temporary, ceramic pot. I intend to keep him small as time goes on.

Rheingold Arborvitae

Three two plants were created from remnants of two different plants that did not do well over several past winters. Last year I put them in containers and clipped away, but this year they have finally taken on some more unusual shapes. This time around I added some bonsai wire to try and shape them permanently. It will be interesting to see how well they do. Note: these are still planted in soil and I will remove them and over winter them again in an outdoor raised bed, the same as last year. Because I am not clipping back the entire root ball, and using basic soil instead of bonsai medium, I do not consider them official "bonsai."

Little Heath Pieris (Pieris japonica 'Little Heath')

Purchased in 2022, this plant resided near the East gate Cypress but failed to receive enough sunlight before I accidentally stepped on it and almost killed it. It has resided in a container ever since and more recently over wintered in a raised bed. last year I added some bonsai wire to see if I could shape it. This year its looking better, so a new larger bonsai pot was purchased to give it a new home for the season.

All of these plants looks pretty good and because I keep the root ball large and overwinter them outdoors, they will hopefully survive a bit longer. I find when I try to maintain indoor bonsai over winter I tend to kill them from neglect. perhaps this process will continue to work. On the other hand, I am sure I will step on future plants as well.

Bamboozled

For the second year in a row I am struggling with the Clumping Bamboo (Fargesia rufa) bed along the stroll garden. Each year the number of new shoots diminishes and the bed is failing to replace existing bamboo or bamboo that had to be cut back due to harsh winters. This last winter was particularly harsh with almost all of the bamboo throughout the garden having to be cut back.

I am not confident that the bamboo in the stroll garden will return to its once full and lush state.

Summer 2020 - lush and full

The bamboo used to do a good job of hiding the cinderblock foundation. That is no longer the case. So, it was time for its removal and replacement. 

Removing the bamboo was a difficult task given the length of the bed and the degree to which the bamboo roots are intertwined throughout the bed. A small hand saw was therefore necessary to remove all of the plantings.

I want to conceal the cinderblock foundation, but the bed is an odd curved shape - wide at the ends and narrow in the center due to the curve. As a result, I have to consider a replacement that can fit and grow into the narrowest portion of the bed. I decided upon Reblooming Mountain Hydrangea. This shrub is a dwarf Hydrangea that will only grow 2-3' wide/tall. 

The triangular areas at then ends accommodates additional plantings, including a Magical Garnet - Hydrangea (Macrophylla 'Kolmgarip') in the corner near the gate. Last year, I planted a Variegated Dwarf Cardinal Shrub (Weigela florida "variegated Nana'), in this same spot only to see its root ball eaten over the winter by a critter.

It will be separated by a  Sun King Japanese Spikenard (Araliia cordata 'Sun King') from the other Hydrangea, and an additional Sun king will mark the opposite end of the Hydrangea bed. 

I then added two Dwarf Weigela ('Verweig') shurbs at both ends of the stroll garden bed, one near the gate and the other near the Kasuga-dōrō style lamp at the entrance of the stroll garden. 

Together, these shrubs will help anchor the end points of the stroll garden bed. 

I also planted a  Frostkiss Penny's Pink Helleborus (Lenten Rose) at the base of the lantern.

An Astilbe Chinensis 'Purple Candles' Chinese Astilbe was also added just behind the large Bowling Ball Arborvitae to help fill in the space at the end of the bed (not pictured).

Overall, I am happy with the change and new look. I will have to keep an eye on the hydrangea growth over time.

Great Wall of Grass

For the second year in a row the Variegated Japanese Forest Grass along the fence line in the stroll garden came under assault from rabbits. They like to eat the grass shoots when they first emerge and are apparently yummy.

I knew this would be an issue, but I was so busy with other projects this spring I ignored the problem. The fact is that I was too lazy to create a system to stop this last fall.

So, with some left-over piping from an old vegetable garden bed frame system, I created a series of three long "boxes" that I covered with anti-critter mesh by using small plastic zip ties.

These can be easily lifted off for maintenance or when I want the grasses to be exposed for public viewing days. 

They can also be stored in the garage attic without having to disassemble them, making them useful for future application.

I also purchased new replacement grasses and intend too install them soon to help fill in the gaps or completely replace the overly damaged plants.

With this system in place I may solve the problem for future years.

Shed Side Plantings

I've finally finished with the landscaping along the pathway in the Dragon's Spine and the bed along the side of the newly renovated garden shed.

After removing a large 12+ year old boxwood that had grown too large, I decided to plant a Pink Azalea (Azalea 'Blaauw's Pink') along the fence line. 

I also planted a Bartzella Itoh Peony (Peonia (Intersectonal hybrid) x 'Bartzella' adjacent to the Azalea. 

These two plants should fill in the large space left open from then now absent boxwood. 

The Pink Azalea proved very vibrant in the early spring. The overall garden is dominated by 50 shades of green, so having such a bright color was a marked difference. The Peony hasn't flowered yet, but I am hoping it produces a nice large yellow flower. 

On either side of the back vegetable garden gate I had to replace two grasses that had resided in this location for 10+ years. One never returned, and the other was looking sad - two more victims of a rough dry winter. I replaced them with two matching grasses that will help frame the gate. 

The height of each should help block the view of the "nursery" behind the shed (formally called the Junk Yard).

Along the shed I planted a variety of "left over" plants last fall. Some Cora Bells, two Boxwoods, a Forest Grass, and a very small Purple Gem Rhododendron (just left of the rain chain pit), all of which survived the winter. 

This spring I added a Spirea (Spirea J. "Little Princess") next to the boxwood centered under the faux window.

Additionally, I planted some red Stonecrop ("Voodoo' Sedum spurium) to the bed. I am hoping to fill in the odd triangular space created by the new walkway with a bed of this red sedum.

I also decided to add a small mini-fence made of some left over bamboo and black twine from other projects. I found that I was constantly stepping into the space, so the little fence should help keep me on the path.

I also reworked the front of the shed a bit, by using just one of the Deutschland False Spirea (Astilbe x arendsii 'Deutschland') that had originally been planted (the second one had to be removed when the rain chain basin was installed. The remaining Astilbe was centered under the window, while the Threadleaf Coriopsis was moved to the spot just before the shed door.

That should complete the transformation of the beds at this end of the garden. 

Now its time to wait and see how things grow and mature.

Broken Heart - Mended

The Secret Heart Island bed needed some attention this year. The Panicum Virgatum 'Ruby Ribbons' grass plant that had occupied this area since before 2022 had thinned out and showed sings of distress. 

'Ruby Ribbons' (at right) 2022

Rabbits had been munching away at this plant for some time, so it was time to find a replacement. 

This time I opted for Flame Grass Miscanthus sinensis "Purpurascens.' This grass can grow up to 4-5' and 1-2' wide. I am hoping it fills in the area and compliments the First Flame Maple "Iseli Introduction" (Acer x pseudosieboldianum) nearby. I did rework the edging to help contain it to a more round shape rather than the large ova of the previous configuration. 

I also added a small Hosta to the corner that remained after the edging rework. It is a plant that had been damaged and rescued from elsewhere in the garden. The maple and grass should provide shade for the Hosta to thrive in this sunny location.

In time the grass should turn an orange then red-ish color, while mid-late summer should produce some magenta flower wands with white plumes. I'm hoping it proves interesting - only time will tell. 

While I wait, I constructed a critter-fence to keep rabbits away and covered the Hosta with a critter cage cover to ensure they survive the spring.

A Bucket of Savings

The annual addition to the red ceramic pots at the edge of the Zen Garden in the courtyard will consist of two Paul's Glory Hosta (Hosta x 'Paul's Glory'). As usual, I transplanted these Hosta into large containers that reside in the ceramic pots. Doing so will give the roots some room to expand as the plants grow.

I have had a lot of luck with this process over the past few years. Using Hosta allows me to then transplant the plants in the fall into the gardens as needed. It is a better investment that annuals with pretty flowers which can cost a lot for a plant large enough for these pots. Additionally, slugs destroy such flowing plants. The "rubbery" nature of these Hosta will help deter the slugs. I also have to contend with rabbits that eat Hosta in the early spring. Next year, these two plants can act as backup fillers if needed and since they are being reused, reduce my overall garden costs.

I also added a Halcyon Hosta (Hosta x tardiana 'Halcyon') to the large contemporary red ceramic pot I purchased back in 2014. 

The color contrast looks good and transplanting it to a larger internal container will help its roots expand. In the fall, I will then find a spot to over winter it/transplant it into the ground for use next year.

Balanced Buddha

For the most part, the changes made to the area surrounding Buddha from last year survived the winter. However, I have noticed a trend with this corner - plantings along the east wall of the fence get much less sunlight than the planting on the north side of the fence. 

I had opted to anchor both sides of Buddha with a mirroring plant.

Summer 2024

This has led to a dilemma. The plants along the east side grow slower and smaller creating a lack of balance. I have seen this in the past but thought it might not drastically impact the Moccachino Astilbe (Astilbe x arendsii 'Moccachino') planted there last year. I was wrong. So, I decided to switch out both astilbe with a new pair. 

I was unable to get the same Moccachino Astilbe and had to replace them with two Nemo Astilbe Astilbe (arensdii 'Nemo') which will produce a slight peachy-pink flower instead of the white that I liked from the Moccachino Astilbe. 

I know that the problem will still exist into next year, but this will allow me to keep the corner looking balanced while I spend the summer contemplating a more long term solution. 

I also opted to remove and relocate the Hillside Black Beauty Bugbane (Cimicfuga ramosa 'Hillside Black Beauty')  in the corner directly behind Buddha. Even though a shade loving plant, it was simply not getting enough sunlight, stunting its growth and preventing any blooming. 

In its place I planted a Variegated Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum'). 

I will have to see how it does over the summer. If this too does not do well, then I may need to rethink the entire corner. In the meantime, it looks as good as last year.

Pampered Pompom

The last time I substantially changed the inside corner near the West Gate was 2019. Once again, it was time for some changes. 

The main focal point of this bed, the Boulevard Cypress Oriental Pompon (Chamaecyparis pisifera "Cyano-virdis'), has continued to thin out at the bottom, but grows at the top. 

I am amazed that it has lasted this long, but it certainly has changed a great deal since I first acquired it in 2014.

The surrounding plants have not feared so well. The Birch Leaf Spirea (Spiraea betulifolia 'Tor Gold') that was planted in 2019 became very thinned out and grew to tall. It just didn't look like a shrub anymore. 

I suspect that it was not getting enough light in that shady corner. I removed it and transplanted it into a more sunny location along the stroll garden where it can reach over an existing spirea.

I replaced it with a Heaven Scent Jacob's ladder (Polemonium 'Heaven Scent').

I suspect light might be a long term issue for this plant as well, but I am willing to give it a try and see how it does. It has a dark green foliage and produces small purple flowers.

The Sun King Japanese Spikenard (Aralia cordata 'SunKing') that was recently planted is doing fine and loves this shady location. However, the Astilbe 'Bridal Veil" False Spirea that was in the back since 2015 was eaten by a critter over the winter, while the Hosta (unknown) in the front was also decimated by a rabbit. Both were replaced with a similar astilbe and hosta.  

I also added a Brilliance Autumn Fern (Dryopteris crythrosora 'Billiance') to add some more color differentiation within the bed. 

This fern should do well in this location given the shady nature of the back of the bed.

Renewal

Back on March 20, I started the renovation of the sukashigaki, or "see through fence," which separates the courtyard from the backyard and Dragon's Spine area. Today I finally finished the repairs.

I started in March because we had two days of warm weather which allowed me to dig new post holes and stain. However, very quickly, the weather turned cold and throughout April the weather was never good enough for me to continue. Last week I finally took the time to dismantle the small rails and posts of the panels. Originally, I thought I could just re-stain them, but they were in rough condition, so by taking them apart I could sand them down and the re-stain. 

It took at least three days of sanding, and then two days of staining before I could reassemble them and reinstall each panel.

I'm glad I took the time to do so. They look almost like new, even though the pieces are all ten years old. 

I also took the time to spray paint the brown post protectors at the bottom of each new post. 

The green spray paint matches well with the green stain and helps hide the protectors.

With the original copper caps reinstalled, the sukashigaki is complete. 

With luck, the fence won't need another renovation for another ten years.

Catch the Wind

As part of the garden shed redo project, I wanted to add a Japanese style lantern.

Initially, I purchased a wooden lantern, but quickly realized that it would not survive an extended outdoor exposure to weather.

I looked all over the internet for a possible faux lantern made of cast iron, but discovered only antique type lanterns that were overpriced. Real lanterns from Japan were extremely expensive at $300-$400. However, I recently discovered a small cast iron wind chime that looks like a lantern at Sill Sitting Meditation Supply for $89.

Although small, it is appropriately sized for the location under the shed eve.

Additionally, the prospect of lighting an actual lantern at the shed was not likely to happen, hence the suitability of a faux lantern. 

What I like about this wind chine is its appearance, the cast iron material, and the actual chime. The black color also compliments the nearby vegetable garden fence.

The product is imported from Japan, hence it has a degree of authenticity. I love it and it was well worth the price. All I need now is a warm summer day with a bit of wind.