| Author |
Message |
    
Flowerfreak
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 11:00 am EST : |   |
for this area in front of the chimney:
This faces south & gets tons of afternoon 
I used to have a rose bush there, as well as a clump of daylillies in front of it. It just looked too sloppy. I want to put something else in this area, but I am not sure what to put.
(Idea 1) Crepe myrtle. I have always wanted to grow one of these, but am unsure if that is what I want. I thought it would look good there since it would have some height to it & being against the tall chimney it would look more proportionate.
(Idea 2) Weigelia (the shrub form). My sister has one in front of her chimney. She keeps it cut to about 5' x 5'. The blooms on it early spring are awesome. My problem with the weigelia is the "once & done" blooming period. It would, however, still have it's leaves & at least be a large amount of greenery in that area. I am just afraid that it will make this side of the house look like I have it going: big shrub little plants, big shrub, little plants, & so on.
(Idea 3)I was thinking something more ornamental, maybe like this so I could keep the low growing phlox that is growing there. Also under there are early spring tulips & mums that are starting to bloom right now:
Here is a picture from an angle so you can see what is on either side right now
*To the right (in front of the black box)is a clematis which I just planted this year. In front of it is a clump of black eyed susans. To the right of those are 2 peonies. The taller shrub to the right (in front of the porch rail) is a burning bush.
*To the left of the chimney (in front of the glass block window) is a clump of ornamental grass, which I am seriously considering taking out & putting elsewhere. There is also a clump of glandiflora coreopsis in front of that & a purple salvia to the left. The large plant to the left is a Mt. Laurel with phlox underneath on each side of it.
*The bright green plant (you can barely see) just to the left of the blue flag is a spirea I rescued from another's garden about a month ago. It can still be moved safely so I might move it out more or relocate it. I think it is too close to the Mt. Laurel and needs more sun. I just did plant a (free) moonbeam coreopsis in front of the spirea.
The 3 ideas above are just what popped in my head thus far. I am definitely open to any and all suggestions. I might also have time next week to move things around, back & forth & take pics & post again if need be....just not as many times as Charlene (a.k.a. wonderwoman, lol) though! 
Flowerfreak
- Ky,
Zone "6a"
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Cindym
My Weather
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 11:25 am EST : | |
How do crepes do in your zone? If you can safely grow one that would be my choice. Just make sure you choose one with the right growth habit. How wide is the bed directly in front of the chimney?
http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/trees/crapemyrtle/crape_myrtle_varieties.html
You'd still be able to underplant if you grew a CM. I have lantana and rain lilies under mine.
Cindym
- Louisiana,
Zone "8b"
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Gardenbug
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 01:44 pm EST : | |
My two cents...
I know nothing about crepe myrtles, given my zone! I wonder about how windy the site is though.
Phlox have done very nicely for me in terms of lasting for weeks and weeks. My favourite is called Blue Paradise.
Personally I would nix the 3rd idea, the ornamental evergreen tree. My daughter tried and tried to find a home for the one in her yard (it came with the house) and I believe chopped it down this past weekend. AMEN!
If I were in your shoes, I think I'd try for one of the new Weigelas which have lovely foliage.
http://www.naturehills.com/new/Review/shrubsReviews/ProductName/Weigela_-_V ariegated.html
Or how about a purple foliaged weigela to make for contrast with all the greens?
http://gardening.about.com/od/treesshrubs/ig/Top-Shrubs-for-the-Home-Garden /Wine---Roses-Weigela-.htm
Gardenbug
- Ontario,
Zone "4/5"
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Heirloomgardens
My Garden Journal
My Garden
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 03:39 pm EST : | |
That's what I was thinking. I love Weigelas (but I don't have one of my own, yet). If the flowering period really bugs you, maybe you could grow some sort of flowering vine up through it to take over after it's done for the spring.
Heirloomgardens
- Massachusetts,
Zone "5b"
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Flowerfreak
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 05:05 pm EST : | |
It depends...my grandma lives 3 blocks from me & has one & it is very healthy & looks pretty year after year. She has taken cuttings & I believe others have grown them successfully. I received one from her this year, but mine died. I have not seen many of them (crepes) around here. I did not know there were so many species of crepe myrtles!
I think around 4' or 5' is the width of the chimney & if you mean the entire bed width (1/2 circle shape), at it's widest, about 6' or 7'.
I can see why that is your favorite. I just "Googled" it. I love that color.
| Gardenbug wrote on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 01:44 pm:
|
Thank you for the link! I think I am already leaning towards the weigelia & will find/make another area for a crepe myrtle in the future.
On the far left of the last picture I posted above, you can see part of my Wine & Rosses Weigelia. If I put another weigelia at the chimney area, would you suggest another purple leaf variety or green? I think I have enough greenery on this side to where purple might help it.
I'm just greedy  . I wish the blooms would last all spring & summer. I think it's blooms against the purple leaves are soooo pretty.
Flowerfreak
- Ky,
Zone "6a"
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Gardenbug
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 05:32 pm EST : | |
Well I like repetition in a garden, so I might go for more dark foliaged weigela...or maybe even a variegated one.
Gardenbug
- Ontario,
Zone "4/5"
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Cindym
My Weather
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 06:10 pm EST : | |
Are they trees or shrubs? I thought you were pretty far north to be growing one as a tree. Here's more info from Clemson.
http://www.clemson.edu/crepemyrtle/generalgrowthrequirements.htm#where_they _grow
Cindym
- Louisiana,
Zone "8b"
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Lovinlife
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 06:11 pm EST : | |
I like the idea of contrast also, as in some kind of dark foliage. That being said, the Crape Myrtle trees are stunning in the summer. I think either one would be beautiful against the color of your house.
Lovinlife
- Utah,
Zone "5"
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Heirloomgardens
My Garden Journal
My Garden
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 07:04 pm EST : | |
I would be inclined to match your existing Weigela. Helps keep the eye from jumping from spot to spot to take it all in (like would happen if you added a totally different type of Weigela).
Heirloomgardens
- Massachusetts,
Zone "5b"
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Flowerfreak
| | Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 07:45 am EST : | |
tree form
Hmmm...looking at the pic, I don't know if I should try one now or not since I am in N. Ky
I checked out the link Gardenbug posted above & they won't ship the weigelia until next March for my zone. I think I will try to make it to the Nursery this weekend or next week to see if they have a weigelia. I really need to get something in the ground there soon. It looks so empty!
Flowerfreak
- Ky,
Zone "6a"
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Gardenbug
| | Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 08:36 am EST : | |
Definitely look around nearby before resorting to shipping! I only posted that URL for the descriptions.
Gardenbug
- Ontario,
Zone "4/5"
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Flowerfreak
| | Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 08:45 am EST : | |
I have been to a couple of nurseries closer to my house the past few weeks, but with no luck. I'm afraid I am going to have to drive a bit to find some that has what I am looking for. Yes, shipping is always a last resort. I can only imagine how they would pack a 2 gallon shrub to ship...Yikes!
Wish me luck on finding what I am looking for. I hope to find some bulbs this weekend/next week too! Lots of fall planting to do still but I feel as if I am running out of time 
Flowerfreak
- Ky,
Zone "6a"
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Mimi
 Supporting Member
My Weather
| | Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 08:49 am EST : | |
 Your front porch is a real" looker"! WOW! Bet that is where most of your summer days are spent
Mimi
- Wisconsin,
Zone "4b"
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Flowerfreak
| | Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 09:42 am EST : | |
Hi Mimi
Welcome to my porch :)
Aren't porches great?! I don't spend as much time there as I'd like to. I never stop working long enough to rest. If I do sit there, I just keep thinking of all the things I need to do, especially in work that needs to be done in the yard! My parents have a BIG porch. When I was younger, I used to sit out there on the swing when it rained. It was a great hang out for my family...still is 
Flowerfreak
- Ky,
Zone "6a"
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Mimi
Supporting Member
My Weather
| | Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 09:48 am EST : | |
 I would never get off! WOW!!!!!!! It;s HUGE!!!! Lucky you.
(Ever think about painting your porch ceiling a robins egg blue? Looks like the age of the home can carry it well. You will love what it does to the porch too. )
Mimi
- Wisconsin,
Zone "4b"
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Gardenbug
| | Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 09:58 am EST : | |
I don't know about Kentucky, but here the best shrubs are getting hard to find at this time of year.
Gardenbug
- Ontario,
Zone "4/5"
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Flowerfreak
| | Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 10:15 am EST : | |
I do need more color. I wish I had some panel shutters. I'd love to paint them a deep navy blue to match my back doors. Hmmm..I never really thought about painting my porch ceiling a different color. Sometimes, I think my house color is boring, especially when you sit on the porch--you just see a lot of white. Unfortunately, the ceiling isn't pretty beadboard, it's just stucco. I always wondered if there was beadboard underneath though.
Yes, the same here. I need to get a move on!
Flowerfreak
- Ky,
Zone "6a"
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Lovinlife
| | Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 12:07 pm EST : | |
I thought about your chimny yesterday when I was out walking, and noticed the stunning color on some Boston Ivy. It would cling to the brick and would be green in spring and summer and create a pretty backdrop for anything blooming. But in the autumn, it would really come alive with every shade of red you can imagine. The downside would be keeping it fairly contained, and the fact that it loses its leaves during winter. It's just a thought.
Lovinlife
- Utah,
Zone "5"
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Flowerfreak
| | Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 12:25 pm EST : | |
As soon as I started reading you post & read "Boston Ivy", I immediately thought "That is a great idea"! How do you think it would look if I put it (Boston Ivy) AND a weigelia in front of it? (I'd leave enough room for me to get behind the weigelia to trim back the ivy).
Do you think that would be too much with the weigelia growing 5-6' tall? Do you think the ivy would even grow well if it was directly behind the weigelia?
I wonder how hard the ivy would be to contain...I wouldn't want it to go crazy in the bed underneath.
Flowerfreak
- Ky,
Zone "6a"
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Heirloomgardens
My Garden Journal
My Garden
| | Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 12:42 pm EST : | |
I don't know if you know this, but it's really hard on a house to let vines grow directly on the house, whether it's brick or wood or whatever. They put roots and vines into tiny cracks and holes and make them bigger and it leads to water damage and bugs and such, not to mention that it takes longer for the house to dry out behind all of the foliage. I'd put a trellis, even transparent vegetable trellis netting, a little away from the wall to let the vines grow on. Makes future maintenance (like painting) easier, too.
Heirloomgardens
- Massachusetts,
Zone "5b"
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