Goody's question inspired garden musings

[Guest guest]

Goody asked:

 

Our soil is clay--with a good layer of ponderosa pine/douglas fir

needles....with good ole' oak leaves added for mulch--what would thrive in this

environment? A few friends said roses would LOVE the acidic soil--anyone agree?

I'm up for any suggestions!

 

....everyone--have a great weekend!

 

Melodee (goody)

 

Goody,

 

You described your spot lovingly, and I just loved reading about how 3 single

trailers got turned into

large home.

I know some trailers that got transformed like that.

If I were handy that's what I'd do to mine.

 

But I don't think you ever said where it is?

 

Anyhow, Have you thought of rhododendrons and azalea's? They do great in acidic

soil. I thought roses

were pickier and would prefer more balance.

 

I have to warn you: Deer love the flower buds.

 

I am taking a fresh look at my flower garden

with one thought in mind:

" No more Prima Donnas! No more picky eaters! "

 

From now on the perennial beds are based on

mass plantings of flowers that actually like sandy

acid soil amd that for some reason like me.

 

It seems that some plants just don't want to

grow for some people, no matter how lovingly

they are treated.

Rock Cress aka Arabis is supposed

to be an easy spring perennial that produces

massive blooms spilling over stone walls etc.

 

It doesn't like me. I have given it everything I have

got, sniffle, and it never produces more that a

few sparse flowers, and it won't spread like it is

supposed to. Lime, compost....all to no avail.

 

Tulips are deer food, forget them.

Daffodils are deer proof, but for some reason they

don't spread on my land, they dwindle.

From now on, plant a few groupings fresh every

fall and treat them like annuals.

Some thrip gets them.

 

What likes it here in spring, after the crocuses and snowdrops are gone?

 

Lungwort

Periwinkle

an old-fashioned primrose with dark yellow and red

fern-leaf bleeding heart

perennial forget me not

windflowers

doronicum

 

So, now I am going to some serious digging and

replanting to create some dramatic spring groupings

based on those plants. Should be gorgeous next

year.

 

I always have fantastic gardens next year!

 

Ien in the Kootenays

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