Where they went

I think my sister's unexpected death early last December sent me on a garden buying spree. Online or in person, I have been buying plants non-stop since last winter. The last perennials just arrived along with bulbs from two suppliers.

I've posted pictures of my worktable covered with plants a few times. But I've never shown where the plants went. Many are being used to correct problems, fill in unfinished areas or to create a focal point once a plant attains some size.

. . .

I planted Helleborus 'Kingston Cardinal' in 2008. At some point I added a self-seeded boxwood from elsewhere in the garden and a clump of Japanese painted fern. These days the Boxwood is hiding the Hellebore and the fern has spread wherever it could. 

The biggest problem is rabbits who keep chewing the ferns off midway and lolling around in them. Each time the ferns grow back and everything starts to look good, they're attacked again. The loss of a tree also means the ferns are getting more sun than they like.

I decided it was time to redo the whole area. I intended to quickly rip out the ferns — which took two days of intense labor with my "Root Slayer" Shovel and a Cobrahead weeder. This area is a little over 2' wide in the rear and 4' wide along the gray gravel path. 

It was just an inch shy of six feet back to front. 

I bought this Salix candida 'Iceberg Alley' on sale and plopped it in a pot that I set in the spot where the rabbits ate the ferns. There it sat during the last two big tours of our garden. 

I planted it where the Hellebore had been and moved the Hellebore forward.

I added clumps of Adiantum venustum (Himalayan maidenhair fern) from elsewhere in the garden. I'm hoping to add a few more this fall so it will fill in quickly and suppress weeds. 

The big question is whether I got all the Japanese painted ferns out of the area.  I want to be able to just enjoy my handiwork and not have to do any more digging in this space come spring. 

Comments

[Barbara H.]

Hah! I never had that problem with the painted fern - just the opposite. You've gotten a lot done in your problem area. I'm impressed!

[Elizabeth]

Such a shame about the Japanese painted ferns. They are truly lovely plants. Have you tried growing plants that rabbits supposedly do not like? Has it worked, at all? Or just an old wives tale? You work so hard on your garden. It must be terribly frustrating that your labor is routinely destroyed by rabbits. I think I would encourage those hawks to make themselves right at home!

[danger garden]

Damn rabbits! Love that salix, fingers crossed for your work.

[Kathy from Cold Climate Gardening]

I looove my rootslayer shovel!! Even without roots, my clay soil is challenging enough. I had a big patch of JPF that I knew had to be moved due to anticipated construction. Dug up several pieces in early spring and most of them did not take, to my surprise. Still have half the patch left and it still needs to be moved and time is running out. But this time I will replant in its new location.

[chavli]

You did a good job renovation this spot. I'd love to see it again in spring, when the hellebore is blooming.
Your post gives me confidence and courage to dig up and divide an old hellebore clump.