For years,it has been my quest to expand the back gardens to the point it takes me five minutes to mow…In case you didn’t already know,I hate grass!…I think I finally see light at the end of the tunnel.And it ain’t the head light of any on-coming anything….
Bear with me here,as the garden has yet to fill in….
Originally,the shade garden ended at the large rock you see on the left.After the expansion,a Brazilian Tree Fern(moved from another shady spot),caladiums(divisions),Peace Lilies(also,from divisions I already had),Giant Liriope(divisions,also),Angel’s Tears for ground cover(also from divisions and cuttings),and Mondo Grass(from divisions) for a border(to cut down on erosion).
The centerpiece of this garden is a bromeliad I bought at Wal-Mart for $3 something.
While I was at it,I decided to expand to another side.Less grass to mow….
This area had to be dug up(digging up St.Augustine,even in the shade,is sweaty,back breaking work),and re-graded,as this area runs down into the water.All the plantings are from divisions,or have been moved here because they were not thriving where they were.And the centerpiece of this section is another planter,with a catch-all of plant cuttings.I have found that my best plant containers come from stuff just thrown together.Go figure…
My favorite view from the shade garden…
One of the many paths to no-where…
In actuality,all of the paths to no-where inter-connect.It’s just hard to see….
A closer view…
Don’t look too closely.In the background is where I and my neighbor throw stuff too large to compost…
I thought long and hard about removing almost all of the rest of the grass.
Actually,I thought about it….never!
The grandkiddoes love to chase each other around the pathways,
and they always seem to find a spot to play.
Now,there’s a steak on the grill calling my name….
Happy gardening!
7 comments:
I hate grass 2.
Your shady areas are looking more and more like you want them. You have had a very successful spring in your garden. Shade gardens are so peaceful especially in summertime.
Meems
Oh, your shade garden is looking so good! I like that you used plants you already had. I'm concentrating on doing that for the near future too. I just need to take some cuttings and work on filling in with plants that are here and doing well. Love your paths and all the foliage. I've been holding onto an area of grass that I think is going to go away soon too.
I am on the same quest to get rid of my grass, but my dog is not happy about it.
Oh, I know what you mean about that St. Augustine sod! It takes me ages to make a new bed because, yes, it is backbreaking work to dig it up. Why is the grass always lush and thick exactly where we want that new garden laid?
Love that bromeliad pot (and the clay head ☺), and all those caladiums are just lovely.
Hey Chris...Your garden is looking so nice and inviting. It won't take long for all your new plants to grow big and fill in...especially if we get some rain soon.
Beautiful shade garden! I wish I can have more shade area in my garden, so that I can stuck more caladiums, peacelily, bromliad, begonia, tree ferns... Well, everything you have in your shade area!
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