A lasting solution

In the summer of 2018 I had my garden helper dig and divide the Hostas that were planted at the end of the driveway. We rearranged smaller plants into a nice grouping and I thought that little garden was done for good.

But the loss of a neighboring tree stressed them more than I anticipated. I'm not a big fan of Hosta flowers so I spent a lot of time removing the flower stems and damaged foliage. Then the Hostas filled in so fast they were going to need diving agains. I realized I had created a high maintenance bed. It was small but called for too much attention. 

Last summer I started over and decided to recreate the no-maintenance bed I had designed in the traffic island in front of our house. 

I put in three groups of Allium 'Millennium' surrounded by Calamintha nepeta ssp. nepeta with two blue Hostas that withstood the conditions in that location better than the others. For some early season color I planted Muscari and big Alliums. Then I added a few clumps of Penstemon 'Dark Towers' from the back garden where they were getting shaded out. A few weeks ago I added a row of Allium senescent 'Glaucum' across the front edge of the bed. When the city does our big street project next year, the sign will be removed. 

I am crazy in love with this bed — even though I have to stand in the street to get a proper view of it. 

It is always alive with bees and pollinators and needs no supplemental water during dry spells. 

i had forgotten I plunked in a Geranium wallichianum 'Crystal Lake' until it made its way through the Calamintha to the light. It is a lovely companion to the Alliums. A. Millennium blooms later than A. 'Summer Beauty' which was in the traffic island. It also has tighter spheres and a more intense color. 

Since plants don't stop growing, I will have to do some work here in the future as well. But all of the plants here now are much easier to deal with than a Hosta bed. Even the two Hostas I left in place are smaller sized and so shouldn't be quite as much work as the massive ones that were here before. 

Comments

[Kris P]

The bed looks fantastic, Linda. It's a joy when a plan comes together like that. I love the combination of the Geranium and the Allium and the Calamintha adds the perfect backdrop. How I wish Alliums were happier in my climate.

[Beth@PlantPostings]

It looks great! I'm a huge fan of Alliums and Calamintha, too, for so many reasons. :)

[Linda Brazill]

BETH — Great plants I first learned about from Jeff at Olbrich.

[Linda Brazill]

KRIS - These Alliums seem well behaved. I am still trying to get rid of some I planted at least 15 years ago. Their seedheads are so attractive that it's nice to leave them in the garden but they can also haunt you forever. 

[Ceci]

This is lovely - I will need to hunt around for the Alliums as I am not seeing them in my usual on line sources and need more Alliums as the deer become more and more interested in sharing our space. Of course, any hosta over population issues are being quickly addressed by the deer.

Ceci

[danger garden]

"I am crazy in love with this bed"... that's the best part!

[Susie at pbmGarden]

I loved the hostas but your resdesign is wonderful Linda.

[Linda Brazill]

SUSIE — The Hostas were great but for such a short time. I can no longer easily dig and divide them and the extra sun was a problem. But their foliage is so spectacular.

[Linda Brazill]

CECI — I think that when our botanical garden features a plant like Allium 'Millennium' some of the local nurseries pay attention. Looking at my notes, I got one at the best local nursery and one at the botanical garden own sale.

[Pam/Digging]

It's nice to find a combo you love AND that needs so little maintenance. Win-win!