Corner of the Drive

I almost titled this post, My Favourite Spot. Then I realized that I don't have a favourite spot. I have many, many favourite spots. So unless I wanted to do a very long series of posts, I'd have to find another title!

This corner is passed by if you move from the house to anywhere, or from the car to anywhere. It sits at the junction of the road to the Campground yard (which also leads to the dogs building), the drive parking, the path to the firepit and the entry to the Boardwalk Garden. It is impossible to move around without passing by here and yet, Sean still does not notice the blooms... but that is another story, for another day.

The 'William Baffin' rose fills with blooms here, even if it does stretch forever to reach the sun, making it lean all to one side. Still, the roses are pretty with a lovely, soft scent. The lamium continually threatens to take the whole spot over and Iris were added last year. They are my most scented Iris so it is a nice spot to stand when they are blooming. Johnny-Jump-Up shows up in the rock, outside the garden edge, as often as the many, many weeds. But still this spot manages to put on a magnificent display year after year.

I think this is one of my favourite spots because it represents the way I see my garden. A little messy, slightly overgrown, never weeded enough but still dazzling me daily!

As far as the eye can see...

Lamium is everywhere here - front, back and sideyard. It shows up at the bridge garden and it shows up in the raspberry patch. It blooms in white and three shades of pink. The foliage is dark green to white. When it really starts to bug me, I rip it up like weeds. That doesn't happen very often. Usually only where I want to walk or around another plant. It can smother other plants so I have to be diligent about protecting them.

There are days that I curse it but truth is, I really love it. It looks great all the time as long as it is not in full sun. It is easy to dig up and transplant. I can use it to drape in containers. It has endless possibility.

Somewhere out there, there is a lime one that was added last year. I can't find my joural from last year and so far, I have not seen it show up. Still keeping my fingers crossed.

Who doesn't love groundcover?

I have groundcover everywhere! Nothing keeps the weeds down better. Most of my groundcovers bloom and it is wonderful to see sweeps of flowers in the gardens.

Some of my groundcovers are plants not traditionally considered groundcover. I use anything that will spread and fill in, like fern and lily of the valley.

I even have plants that I would never have considered in my city garden, like sweeping views of goutweed. Here, the drive keeps it under some control and I have learned to brutally rip it out where it needs it... without feeling guilt. lol.

I always have my eye out for new or different groundcover, like my tricolour sedum. And, I am always looking for new little corners, nooks and crannies in my yard in which to plant them.

 

Limelight!

 

I love lime leafed plants. Actually, blue leaves and variegated leaves are just as welcome in my garden but don't tell the lime plants that. They think they are special. And this year, they are.

When I had my late summer iris exchange, I picked up a couple of lime leafed beauties from a friend and these plants come with added benefits! The lime leafed Lamium is hopefully going to join the variegated leaf variety in my garden to become everything I ever wanted in a Lamium. I love Lamium. It has so many uses. However, the traditional dark green varieties that flower dark pink, light pink or white, multiply like weeds and are almost impossible to control. Definitely impossible to showcase! If this lime leafed variety can match its traditional cousin in duration and repeat flowering but manage to contain itself at the same time, it will be one of my new favourite groundcovers.

Then comes Columbine. How pretty are Columbine flowers? I am constantly on the hunt for Columbine in colours I do not yet have, always examining the flowers. Now I have a reason to examine the leaves! This little pretty inspired me to dig up and rearrange half of my lower boardwalk garden bed. With luck, it will all come back in the right place next year.

 

It only had to snow once and I am already thinking about spring :)

Groundcovers

Tricolour Sedum; summer blooming, slow spreading

 

Cerastium; spring blooming, summer re-blooming, fast spreading

 

Pinks; summer blooming, slow spreading

 

Dwarf Flax; summer blooming, fast spreading if left to self-seed