Saturday, October 24, 2009

End of Season=Beginning of Yard

'Tis the season for the awesome "End of Season" sales at the local nurseries. We wandered through Garland Nursery last night and, while we spent $80, we saved $65. When we moved in, I had visions of English Garden or Victorian-esque landscaping, but we are on the opposite end of the spectrum now, leaning more toward tropical plants and grasses, and I couldn't be more thrilled.

Our loot:
It looked far more impressive when it was all piled in the back of the car, but it was dark when we got home, so there are no pictures of our jungle on wheels.

This crazy bulb will turn into a gorgeous Fritillaria 'Rubra Maxima'.
(aka Emperor of the Garden. We're calling it The Emperor's New Groove))

The bulb has to be planted six inches deep and on its side, so the hole on the top can drain. So bizarre. So exciting!

The Biggest Girl was pretty sure this hole was dug for the new volleyball tree. I have to admit, it was a pretty good fit.

Rather than the volleyball, the hole was for the Kniphofia 'Early Hybrids'.
(aka Red Hot Poker)(or Tritoma)(or Torch Lily)

Root-bound much?

We saw these in full bloom while we were running errands one day this past summer and both of us were so excited to find them at the sale. They're so unique and bold.

The two plants will eventually grow together to create one giant mass of gorgeous uniquey boldness.

Our greatest find, though, was this:
(aka Black Mondo)(or Black Monkey Grass)

It's the creepiest looking plant I've ever seen and I love it! The leaves are a super dark purplish-black and it will sprout pink flowers next fall. I can't wait!

We also grabbed two Heuchera (aka Dolce Peache Melba). They actually looked like lettuce from a distance. Their curly leaves are a great contrast to the sharp grasses that seemed to have dominated our selections. They'll also have tiny flowers that hover above the perennial leafy base (which is what we have here).

The least expensive of our treasures was the $1.50 Carex Flagellifera.
(aka Toffee Twist)

Not only does it have a wild, tangled look to it, but it also dances in the slightest of breezes. There's a very strong possibility we might head out tomorrow to see if they have any left. It's an easy filler that provides so much movement and looks great in the sun.

(aka Japanese Blood Grass)

It's looking a bit puny right now, but I have complete faith in this little guy. I saw it when I was flipping through the Western Garden Book and knew we needed one. Funny how plants just start to speak to you...

(aka Gold Bar)
We saw this one and jumped on it. Another grass...who knew we'd come home with so many grasses? It's pretty tiny now--about a foot tall--but it will be 3'-5' tall once it settles in.

aaahh...the Euphorbia wulfenii...

One of the homes around the corner has this and, again, we were pretty excited to find a healthy one to bring home to our yard.

Though we bought it several weeks ago, this poor Rosmarinus officinalis Gorizia (aka Rosemary, as you might have guessed) has been languishing away in a pot, just waiting to sink its roots into the ground. Finally! We planted it!

We also stashed some Allium sphaerocephalon bulbs and were careful to mark their locations so we don't accidentally pull them when they start coming in next Spring.

All the plants we chose are, in theory, deer resistant, which is so important here, given the number of deer that galavant about after nightfall. Hopefully, they'll just admire our handiwork and find a snack elsewhere.

...and that's all for now. We've got one more nursery to visit, but the chances of us leaving the house today are dwindling rapidly as the moments go by. Something about kickin' ass early in the day makes it easier to lounge about in sweatpants and watch football all afternoon without feeling like a slacker...

Oh, and I'm adding a link to the Sunset Garden site in the link list. Be warned--it will take hours of your life and leave you feeling inspired.

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