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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Fall a Great Time to Start New Beds

Here in the Pacific Northwest (PNW), spring is a good time to plant some annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees, but since there is a dry season starting in late spring that lasts until the fall rains start, plants that are sensitive to drought or heat, or that need to develope new root systems, such as new transplants, often do better started in the fall.  I'm working on a new bed that will have a border of these seed-grown Dianthus 'microchip' plants, here shown from another bed planted last year.

This bed has been a rose bed that has become overgrown with grass and other weeds, and backed by an overgrown garlic bed that I am digging.  Part that is not yet dug is being kept dry to dig later.
The new bed will have a row of daffodils, and for more of the front border, some rooted cuttings of Dianthus Alwoodii alpinus-
and will also feature a gorgeous Rozanne hardy Geranium-
Calluna vulgaris 'Hillbrook Orange, which will hopefully bloom next spring'-
I'm also planting some seed-grown Aquilegia formosa, the native red and yellow Columbine; Erysimum wheelerii, a native wallflower; some strawberries, variegated Oat grass, oregano, thyme, Veronica, and some transplanted tall bearded irises and daylilies.  The irises and daylilies are from clumps that needed dividing.  Irises can stop blooming if they become too crowded, I replant the newer actively growing tips and discard the old mother rhizomes.

Another bed I am continuing to work on is my new bed under a Big Leaf Maple for a Berberis darwinii.
I'm transplanting some Lingonberries that have become overgrown and stopped bearing in another location.
Hopefully they will do well here.  I wanted to keep a look of dark green shiny evergreens here, and also want to transplant some Wintergreen-
So, happy fall planting!

Hannah

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