I have to laugh about your violet recommendation. They like it too much here and come up by the thousands in the garden where I spend lots of time digging them out. I'd love to add witch hazel and a native iris someday though.
Lynn, I don't enjoy digging them out of annual beds, especially with those extra "ghost" plants that lurk beneath the soil. But they've been a real joy as a ground cover elsewhere. I was sad this year when the ubiquitous old-field asters overtook them!
I love the natural violets we get. Our backyard has no lawn, just whatever natural ground cover grows. We move it about once a month. This fall we planted two blackberry bushes (native to our area) and I plan to add bareroot blueberries. When we can afford it, we will replace the Bradford Pears in the front yard with Chestnuts, which used to grow here. Baby steps.
That sounds like a slice of heaven right there, Stephanie! I hope you have better luck with blueberries than we have - our soil just isn't acidic enough, and no amount of amendments ever seemed enough. Chestnuts, yes! Maybe you can even roast them on an open fire. :)
I have to laugh about your violet recommendation. They like it too much here and come up by the thousands in the garden where I spend lots of time digging them out. I'd love to add witch hazel and a native iris someday though.
Lynn, I don't enjoy digging them out of annual beds, especially with those extra "ghost" plants that lurk beneath the soil. But they've been a real joy as a ground cover elsewhere. I was sad this year when the ubiquitous old-field asters overtook them!
I love the natural violets we get. Our backyard has no lawn, just whatever natural ground cover grows. We move it about once a month. This fall we planted two blackberry bushes (native to our area) and I plan to add bareroot blueberries. When we can afford it, we will replace the Bradford Pears in the front yard with Chestnuts, which used to grow here. Baby steps.
That sounds like a slice of heaven right there, Stephanie! I hope you have better luck with blueberries than we have - our soil just isn't acidic enough, and no amount of amendments ever seemed enough. Chestnuts, yes! Maybe you can even roast them on an open fire. :)