Spring Blooms in the Big Sky Garden at The Small House Under a Big Sky
Spring has sprung in Southwestern Michigan. And the Big Sky Garden at The Small House is in its spring glory. The creeping phlox, candytuff and epimediums are in full bloom with many more native perennials, shrubs and ornamental grasses coming on soon. The birdbaths are out, the garden art is placed, the vintage collectible are now hung on the pool shack and the vegetable garden is planted. The bluebirds have built their first nest and the oaks are filled with the sounds of birds. Enjoy a quick garden tour and remember to “stop and smell the roses” when you can!
The flowering quince was transplanted to this site about 12 years ago. It provides a splash of spring color and nectar for the hummingbird. It sits at the end of a gravel path drawing the visitor down the path to the bench for a rest. Can you hear the bird songs in the tree canopy?
Lime green plants accent the pool shack that is also adorned with vintage collectibles. The matching trellis hold climbers that will add color and form as the months progress. Hoses and sprinklers show that this is indeed a working garden!
A sunflower birdbath greets visitors with a splash of color in the gravel turn-around bed. Soon the plants around it will grow up and fill in.
Dry shade under the majestic White Oak trees is the perfect place to plant the interesting and hardy ground cover, epimedium. The miniature heart shaped leaves will turn a deep red as the season progresses and will provide visual interest even after the delicate, pastel colored flowers have gone.
Sun loving creeping phlox adores the heat from the asphalt driveway and brick planters. They respond happily by creeping a bit each year and sharing bright blooms to everyone who drives by our country home.
One small container of candytuff planted six or seven years ago has spread and been transplanted many times. Its joined by other perennial heat lovers; native lupines, day lilies and vinca vines
Transplanted and propagated ninebarks cultivars mimic the curve of the meadow garden bed (each ninebark has a stake.) Highly coveted foliage plants most ninebarks grow almost as wide as they are tall so they do a good job of screening or standing at attention in a hedge row. I planted these in the meadow to add a another layer. Perennial plants grow in front of them. (Ninebarks are versatile shrubs growing in full sun to partial shade; moist to dry, well drained fertile to lean soils.)
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Thanks Douglas. I know its going to be a few years before they get "showy" (based on first grouping I transplanted about 4/5 years ago that are now about 3+ ft. tall) but it will be worth the wait and the price is right! Those Ninebarks do so well here and the best thing of all the deer don't seem to mow them down.
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Will phlox grow in Northwest NV? Again I live in Pahrump, NV would love to plant the phlox and the Texas lilacs.. In my yard.
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