A Sunny Weekend to Play Outside!

Last summer, my garden didn't get as much attention as usual and things got a little out of hand.  I've vowed to correct that this year and to do some of those jobs that I've been putting off.  Here's some of what we got done on the first sunny weekend we've had in months.

Once upon a time, there was a bed that looked like this.  The bronze phormiums anchored the bed and the fifteen foot Miscanthus 'Giganteus' ruled over the back of the bed.  Then the Phormium Killing Winters came and my giant phormiums (grown from one gallon pots!) were gone and the bed was never the same.  The miscanthus eventually grew out to a bout 5 feet in diameter, the center declined and  it no longer supported itself well and would sprawl out on everything around. 

Time for a major edit!  That huge grass required many hours of work with a saw and shovel to get it out of the ground. If anyone wants a clump, I've got several up for grabs!  It has beautiful fall blooms that remain all winter to add drama.  Anyway, out it came along with several other plants.  An unfortunately placed Schefflera taiwaniana (it had grown to the point that leaves would hit your face as you walked down a path)  needed a new home so it's now taking the place of the grass.

 I'm hoping that this will hold the back of the bed together  Perhaps that tetrapanax on the right should go.  In front of the schefflera, I transplanted a Zantedeschia aethiopica 'White Giant' (White Giant Calla Lily) whose tall tropical-looking foliage will slightly obscure the hellebores (in pots) that I'm contemplating putting there. which will be fine as the Zantedeschia foliage freezes to the ground in the winter.  Something needs to fill the space to the right of the schefflera where the Leucothoe is sitting.  Could be the Leucothoe but I was also thinking of a Fatsia japonica (maybe 'Spider Web' or the newish variegated one from Monrovia)  A rhododendron with interesting foliage might also do the trick.  Suggestions?  Should be evergreen, 5-6 feet tall and able to tolerate some shade.

Some time ago, I asked your advice on the topiary tree in my garden.



You suggested taking off the bottom two branches so I did.  Actually, three had to go because there was a lower branch on the back of the tree that you can't see from this angle.

Here's Tom giving the tree a little spring haircut.  The branch removal lightens the tree and you were right, it looked a little strange for a short time but I truly like the change.  Thank you for that great advice!
 Kerria japonica leaning on emerging Acer palmatum foliage.  A bit of the Kerria needs to be moved this year and the rest will go away.  Anyone want some?


This rhododendron is supposed to bloom but I really don't care as I got it for this gorgeous foliage.