Autumn Plans – finessing.

AndAllen is coming to the end of its 3rd season and it is time to reflect on what is working and what is not.

Two high level observations. Firstly the overall strategy for the property and design of the garden is solid – very happy with how it has developed. Secondly, gardening in Georgia is a bit more demanding than in NC – slightly higher temperatures and levels of humidity and of course the Georgia clay! The assumption that plants which thrived in NC would do so here only partially holds true – there have been a few more casualties than I anticipated.The perennial beds which benefited from soil replacement have done well. Crevice gardening has been a challenge; the woodland garden is slowly evolving but the reception beds at the front of the house need a rethink.

In addition to plants succumbing, others have done too well and crowded out their neighbors. As an example Verbena “Jenny” has been very aggressive in the crevice garden, not only smothering other plants but totally obscuring the rock structure – which in itself is an attractive feature. It is being totally removed from the crevice garden and will be incorporated as an edging plant around the Japanese area. A pretty plant with wonderful pink blooms – right plant, wrong place.

Verbena Jenny (top right) starting its rampant journey to dominance!

There are 3 reception beds at the front of the property – one was designed around blue toned conifers ( which is doing very well) whist the other 2 incorporated roses – a nod to my father-in-law Allen, a successful rose exhibitor. Sadly, the roses have not done too well. The first season they were fine with strong blooming/reblooming, but downhill from there. Characterized by straggly growth,despite appropriate pruning, a short single blooming period and frequent infestation by Japanese beetles- they were not presenting well. Now they are gone. One bed has been replanted with blue toned conifers ( grey owl, blue star ), enhanced with a dwarf burgundy crape Myrtle- a nice color combo.The other is planned to maintain a yellow theme with daffodils and yellow perennials bouncing off dwarf burgundy loropetalum. Soil amendment will be enhanced.

The main observations in the woodland garden center around shrubs dying. No one species has died out although hybridized azaleas look to be on the “threatened” list. It is just that here and there plants have just given up. The way forward is to diversify and try a number of different shrubs. Once the damaged and dying hardwoods (partly from hurricane Helene) are removed this work will begin – hopefully completed by Spring. One pleasing aspect is the survival of both witch hazels and all 4 Edgworthia. This is my first attempt at a woodland garden and I suspect a five year plan horizon may be a little optimistic!

Woodland walk evolving nicely

Finally,the perennial beds. Dividing the successful ones, planting more asters, lantana and golden rod for autumn color and trying to find the elusive plant that is prepared to give it a go and flower when it is 100 degrees ( lantana is the first candidate). Canna and Asclepias have done well and all the die back will be maintained till early February for the benefit of birds, insects and wildlife.

Lantana blooming well in November!

Looking forward to a bit of work over the winter!