Comment

Comment by John Jardin – zone 9 on January 13, 2011 at 11:16pm

Ha!  MJ, Glad I could help make it a yippeee, zippy day!  I love those kind of days.

Comment by MJ Seibert, Zone 5 on January 13, 2011 at 2:13pm

Thank you for these links. I'll have to explore them further. Also, thank you for the suggestions of where to put what, as in height. AS everyone puts in their ideas, it helps to formulate ideas in my head. I am a vegetable gardener and very challenged when it comes to this. The links, suggestion of plants and where to put them are a bonus for me and is much appreciated. IT is a yippeee, zippy afternoon.

Comment by John Jardin – zone 9 on January 12, 2011 at 10:28pm

MJ – I totally spaced-out and was thinking you were in SoCal! 

You can check this link to see several suggestions for sedums.  They are mostly hardy and can be planted in zone 5.  http://www.hostas.com/succulents/hardy/index-succulents-hardy.html   Besides the wide range of colors you have assorted heights.  Excellent to use as a lower planting in front of Echinacea.

Here's a link that is also all about colder climate gardening and has some good photos and info on succulents that will work.  http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2009/04/10/hardy-where-succulents/

Any color of Coreopsis would be wonderful w/ Echinacea as well.

In the new shot I've attached, you see lavender, russian sage and caryopteris.  There is some daylily as well.  Echinacea would fit in beautifully.

Comment by MJ Seibert, Zone 5 on January 12, 2011 at 8:19am

My initial reaction was, whoa....impressive. I've never seen the orange/clay style retainer. Is that plastic or a clay? What are the little green tufts, are those a variety of chicks and hens? I take it the orange will be poppies? Both are very pretty. I like the use of gravel but here, where we have frost and falling leaves, it becomes an issue of getting the gravel cleaned up so you do not have decomposition and soil making by the organic matter that falls in to it. So I avoid it at all cost, not enough time in my day.

Martha, I like the idea of Echinacea for our area. Excellent idea of the various heights and colors available. I also like the idea of moving plants if you don't like them. That's good.

Thanks everyone.

Comment by John Jardin – zone 9 on January 12, 2011 at 1:33am

MJ – thought I'd attach a couple of images you might be able to get inspiration from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comment by Bernadette Banville z-6/7 ma on January 10, 2011 at 4:53pm

make a succulant garden- since you already have the aloe vera there- pebble it, stone path, add hens/chicks, sedum is great also grows nice and low.  if you show more photos of this area- would love to design something - bored with winter already- more snow ont he way for wed over 16 inches AGAIN!!!!   or if your area permits- cactus, small ones

Comment by Martha on January 5, 2011 at 10:03pm

They have really pretty Echinacea plants that have great color. They are drought resistant and carefree. They have dwarf ones too. They are perennial. You might want to add an ornamental tree  or even a shrub or flowering bush. The possibilities are endless.I would suggest you lighten up the soil first with some compost.Look at lots of pictures and you will get inspired and find ideas. Remember most seasoned gardeners have moved plants many times before they get it just right. Just dig in!!! Have fun and please post me a picture of your bed when your done. I can't wait to see it.

Comment by MJ Seibert, Zone 5 on January 5, 2011 at 7:59pm

South east side of the home with loam towards clay. It is heavier soil. It receives plenty of sunshine.

 

Comment by Martha on January 5, 2011 at 7:54pm

I didn't see anywhere that you told us what kind of light and how much light. Soil type etc...

Comment by MJ Seibert, Zone 5 on January 5, 2011 at 7:47pm

Hearty chuckle! I agree, some times, doing nothing is best!

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