Hillside Shade Garden-update

by The Garden Frog with C Renee

The clients laid their own mulch and are quite happy with the results. Pictures #1 & #2 are the shade area I previously posted. This area is seen by many people walking by on the bike paths. It is a mix of dappled sun and light shade from the mighty Oak trees.
The last pictures are the adjoining area along the bike path which I did 2 summers ago. All the plants filling are plants that were from my yard that I either divided or propagated from my own personal stock. Some of the plants are not the best such as the Liriope lining the bike path but the run off from the gull washers we have here in VA make it a suitable option to help control erosion on hard clay soil. (note the liriope was not even put in a hole because the soil was too hard to dig and it is growing!)
This is what I do for people-using what they already have and working with the ground and Mother Nature to come up with the best options for the budget and for the client. It is not always easy but since I can easily divide hosta and ferns from my own stock. I also hunt for markdowns and nurse them back to health for the client.
I teach them what they need to know to water and grow their new plants. I even email or call them to remind them to water. I work on a small scale right now but that is okay-quality vs quantity.
Gardening is all about working with nature and what you have. Do not fight erosion and do not fight what you may think is bad soil. Find the right plants for the right situation.
I am specializing in native plants and in areas such as this hope to plant more natives rather than alien plants that could become invasive.
Happy gardening everyone!

hillside shade garden update, gardening, landscape

The hosta in this bed are all divisions from my personal stock. There are also a couple painted ferns, Coral Bells, variegated Jacobs Ladder, Astilbe too.

Looking up from bike path. The Abelia were in front of their house but they were not thriving and the homeowners asked where I thought they would work better. in front are native Polystichum acrostichoides or Christmas ferns since this is the common area and only natives belong.

this area was done 3 summers ago and finally convinced the homeowners to mulch it which has made a dramatic improvement! This is all nurtured plants and divisions from my yard

Liriope I wrote about that was just set upon the ground to root itself. In zone 7 it is invasive but it can serve a purpose on hard clay soil!

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4 comments

Douglas Hunt on Jun 24, 2014
So glad you're working to introduce more natives.

1 Reply
- The Garden Frog with C Renee on Jun 24, 2014
  I live in a planned community where we have hundreds of acres of common area where homeowners are dumping yard waste and invasive plants. Saw a need and now I am worKing toward helping people eliminate ivy and placing native for the the birds and bees.
  
  2
Jeanette S on Jun 24, 2014
I love these kinds of areas! The variegated Liriope is not as invasive. I love areas planted with green plants and while they are beautiful, they do not photograph well because the mulch shows up messy in photos! I hope to have my "Hosta Waterfall" Phase I completed soon...all I need is to get my shepherds poles in place with some pots trinkets hanging from them. I may or may not add some color...??? Maybe a couple of pots????

1 Reply
- The Garden Frog with C Renee on Jun 24, 2014
  For my color I add texture and heights with other plants.I have to add my other areas. I would put pots in for color in your hosta waterfall. I will watch for you to post
  
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