We're closing in on the construction phase of our new studio, and it was time to spruce up the garden. What we are experiencing in our garden is a two-fold problem that can be common in any garden, but I think possibly even more so in the south, where there is no real winter.
Our trees and many of our shrubs in the garden have grown quite tall. This means lots of shade, and lots of bare space under the branches. Under-story planting can be tough since some areas of our garden would almost be considered "forest floor" in their shade level.
I chose a couple of plants that should do quite well. I also asked
Joe Argentine to make sure that I could get fairly mature plants. If your new plants are too large, it can be next to impossible to dig holes large enough when you're working around existing root systems. On the other hand, if they're too small they might fail before they get up into the light. The
Viburnum suspensum that I have used along the studio wall and fence is a staple in Florida. Very hardy in shade and full sun. By now, it almost rings the perimeter of our lot, so I consider it an anchor plant.
The short feather plant,
Asparagus meyeri or "Foxtail Fern" has a wonderfully soft look to the foliage, and I really like the texture.
Also, the bright green color-almost chartreuse-really brightens the space down at that level. The cleaning up and replanting also really shows off the great branch shapes of the Lugustrum.
All in all, I was a happy gardener at the end of this planting day!
Painting is almost done. Hardware was installed on the garage doors....for a few minutes! After looking at it for a couple of days, Chip decided he didn't like the placement of the door handles. So, off they come! (Nobody bothered to ask me where they should go when they were installing. What's up with that?!) Not to worry. The holes were quickly filled, and will be sanded and painted over tomorrow. Then, the handles will be re-installed, and of course everyone will be happy! (2 steps forward, and 1/2 step back...but that's still progress! Am I the only one that lives with one of these ...?)
Now if we could only get the house painters to finish. (Anybody remember Elton from Murphy Brown??) The last thing that they did last Friday afternoon was put a second coat of oil base paint on the front and back porch...about 2 hours before a huge downpour. You know what they say about oil and water, right? So, try again! We're gonna get there, I just know it.
