Friday, February 1, 2013

The Creation of Morrow Park

 In August of 2012 we decided to enlarge our front flower gardens. When I say enlarge, I mean ENLARGE! We decided this new area was going to be called "Morrow Park" and is dedicated to our loved ones...both human and animal. Since we had a severe drought last year we decided to make this area a bit different than our other beds by planting more shrubs than perennials. The first four pictures are from August, 2012.

 
 This is what the area looked like before we started.


 The first thing I do when designing a new bed is to draw it out on paper. Next, I use marking paint to draw the outlines of the bed on the ground.


The first section we put in was the seating area. A couple of weeks after this picture was taken we put stepping stones under the table and chairs to make a little patio. This is where I take my breaks while working in the front gardens.

 The first step is to outline the beds with rip-rap. We pick up each piece from the local quarry and then bring them home and put them in place. Next step was to put down weed fabric in the bed where the shrubs were planted. The round bed you see was planted with Sage, Veronica, Coneflowers, Phlox, Daylilies and I threw down some Poppy and Larkspur seeds this Fall. I am anxious to see how they look this spring!


 The picture above and the remaining pictures were taken today. We woke to a light dusting of snow and 14 degrees! I just made this little sign! 
This picture and the next five pictures are phase I of Morrow Park. The shrubs include different varieties of the following:  Spiraea, Carpet Roses, Weigela, Butterfly Bush and Crepe Myrtle. The tree was the second tree we planted (2005) and is a Zelkova Serrata.


 I'm looking forward to spring when I can see the shrubs start to mature a little bit.
I found the double washtub at an antique store. Right now it's planted with violas, but they will be replaced in spring.

The round perennial bed will be pretty when everything starts growing. 


 Along each side of the sitting area are Veronicas, Mums, Gaura, Phlox, Sage and Violas. I will plant new annuals in spring.

 Our main water line runs under this little area, so I decided to plant in pots only. These will be filled with annuals in spring.

 
 This little area is also on the water line, so it is only planted with annuals. I planted Poppy and Larkspur seeds in Fall, so they should look wonderful in spring!

Now, any of my gardening friends will tell you that I'm always changing my gardens. Even though initially I was only going to have shrubs in Morrow Park, phase I, I have decided I MUST have more flowers, so I will add beds along the paths so that more flowers can be planted.


The picture above and the one below are phase II. Phase II was started in October, 2012. So far the shrubs include: Pearlbush, Abelia, Fothergilla and Weigela, but more will be planted. The square you see is going to be something VERY SPECIAL!!!  It will be completed in spring and I can't wait to show it to you!
  
 You can see the small beds on each side which will be planted with annuals.

 
 These last two pictures are the final phase. Phase III was started in December 2012. So far there are only two shrubs planted, a Deutzia and a Hydrangea. More will be planted in spring...we just ran out of planting time!  We will add screened topsoil and lots of compost to the soil area you see and then it will be planted with annuals (seeds) and perennials.  We placed the path right over the main water line.

 
 Right now you can see that the path ends in a little circle. I've changed my mind (again) and will bring the path towards the rip-rap so there are two entrances. 

So, these are a few of the projects we will be doing in spring. I will update you with posts along the way to show you our progress. I think it's going to look awesome when it's done!

Happy Gardening!

Words and Photos Property of Christy's Cottage Wildlife Garden.





29 comments:

  1. Your garden is so inspiring. Can't wait to see the photos of your garden this Spring.

    PS You can never have enough flowers:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Steph and thank you so much!! You are so right....you can NEVER have enough flowers!! I just can't seem to stop myself from making more beds and planting more flowers and shrubs!! I think I might be obsessed with gardening...LOL

      Delete
  2. I'm looking forward to seeing it come to fruition! You are SO motivated. The Morrow Park sign came out great! I should be down there making mine:( Just needed a break today. Where did you get your pearlbush? I have one because I saw one in a friend's garden here in town and LOVED it. Very cool and old fashioned so I was just wondering where you got it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Tina....I'm looking forward to seeing it too!! The shrubs were all fairly small when we planted them so I can't wait to see them when they grow a little and when all the flowers are blooming. Thanks on the sign...for my first attempt I thought it came out pretty good. I got the Pearlbush and most of the other shrubs from Bates during their fall sale..(I got a couple from Lowes.) As I was going through plant catalogs I was making a note of the shrubs I wanted. Then instead of ordering through the catalog (they would be very small) I called Bates to ask if they would have them in 2013. Come to find out they had several on my list still in stock!!

      Delete
  3. Love the name - and the sign! I like shrubs in a garden - they give it structure, and then adding perennials and annuals is perfect. It will be just gorgeous when things begin to bloom! I am a bit shocked at the 14 degrees! Brrr!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there!! Thanks so much! That sign was my first attempt at working with "sculpey clay" and I thought it came out pretty good. I've planted shrubs in just about all of my beds, but I've never made a bed with the number I'm going to put in Morrow Park. Usually I use the same type of shrubs over and over so that the "look" flows from one bed to another. In Morrow Park I'm planting some of the "usuals" but also some different types. I'm trying to use some that have a wonderful fragrance so when you walk down the path you catch a "whiff" of it. I will also be adding some annuals (seeds) that I haven't used before. And, as I mentioned in the post, I'll have something VERY special! I have to say I was a bit shocked by the 14 degrees too! Thanks so much for visiting!

      Delete
  4. Wow, you really did enlarge the gardens! Can't wait to see how they mature over time!

    You asked about my roses -- I treat them like any other shrub, just feed and trim back deadwood. I only pick roses that won't get much blackspot, like rugosas, teas, chinas, and polyanthas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It will be very interesting to see how it looks later this year! I love roses and I've tried hybrid teas here, (I have three now), but it seems impossible to keep the foliage looking good. The blooms are pretty, but the foliage is awful. I have a lot of knockouts and one rugosa. I will keep trying because I love them so much!

      Delete
  5. Is the square massed out in bulbs? You really did a lot of work in the front garden. It will be very pretty when completed, a true park.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi. No, there are no bulbs in the square, but that was a good guess! Thanks so much...I'll post more pictures as we move along with the work!

      Delete
  6. Christy this is quite a project...I can only imagine what it will look like this spring and look forward to seeing it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Donna!! I just can't stop myself from doing gardening projects! I think once the shrubs and flowers are planted, the seeds start growing and things start blooming, it will look wonderful! And, of course, don't forget the "special" project in that square....I can't wait to do that one!

      Delete
  7. I can't believe the scope of your project. You will have such a beautiful spring. Wow! I am waiting for that surprise to be revealed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much!! Yes, I tend to go overboard when it comes to gardening. I just love it! The surprise is going to be fabulous....I can't wait!! Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  8. Hi Christy, wow, that is really a major garden project that you have taken on there! And you have come so far already! I can't imagine all the hard work that went in there to get to this point. I just planted two camellias and a gardenia this weekend with the help of my husband and I thought that was plenty. If I take you as an example I certainly would get more done in my small garden ;-). Can't wait to see how Morrow Park will look in spring!
    Christina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Christina and thank you so much!! Yes, a lot of work goes into my gardens. I spend about 4-6 hours a day, almost every day out there once spring comes. I just love doing it. I get a real sense of accomplishment and satisfaction from gardening. I can't wait to see how Morrow Park looks in spring since most of it will be new! I also have other hobbies, so I don't spend EVERY day in the garden. We also play golf, hike and bike. :-) By the way...don't forget I'll have the BIG SURPRISE in that square you saw in the picture. It should not take long to finish once spring arrives! Thanks for visiting!!

      Delete
  9. Hi Christy, you are just getting started, yet you have accomplished so much already! I love flowering shrubs and trees, and these are the backbones of my own low maintenance garden. You have made some great selections that should provide both you and visiting wildlife with many years of pleasure. I look forward to seeing your garden as the seasons progress this year. It should be spectacular!

    Also, thank you for visiting my own blog and for your kind comments about my woodland garden! Best wishes! Deb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Deb! I always plant with wildlife in mind!

      Delete
  10. Christy, thanks for stopping by my corner of Katy! You've taken on quite the project in Morrow Park!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cindy...yes, we've taken on quite a project, but I love every minute of it!! Thank you for stopping by and don't forget the BIG SURPRISE coming in spring!

      Delete
  11. Love this. I'm all for removing lawn!! So great that you even have a sign. :-) You can really do a lot in the "off" season since you're warmer. My garden needs to stay asleep still as we could have a cold snap anytime into April.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought the sign was a "fun" addition! Our "lawn" is really mostly weeds (this property used to be farm field) so it's much better to replace it with something pretty! Remember that the BIG SURPRISE will be unveiled in spring!! Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  12. I am going to want to see this whole area evolve as the spring and summer seasons come on. I love watching garden designs unfold, and you've done a great job showing us the start and the thought process. I'll be back to see more : )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Laurrie! Thank you so much for visiting my blog and your nice comment! If Morrow Park turns out anything like my vision (and I'm sure it will), it will be wonderful. I'm looking forward to your return visits. Don't forget the BIG SURPRISE coming to phase II. It should be done no later than the end of April. I have to admit, I've never seen anything like this surprise in a garden!

      Delete
  13. Wow! You have a nice big place to play with, and change your mind as many times as you want! I love it! I'm trying to remember whether you have any native plants. Since you like wildlife, there are probably some that would be good for them.

    I hope your seeds come up. I planted some, too, that I'm hoping come up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sue. Yes, I have a really big place to play. After living my entire life in San Diego, CA I wanted some land and that's what we got! I will never run out of space to plant like I did in CA. Yes, I have a lot of natives and will plant more of them in Morrow Park. The Poppy and Larkspur seeds are popping up all over. They must have cold to germinate, so they're doing very well. Don't forget to check back for the big surprise in spring.

      Delete
  14. Wow, you did enlarge this garden! Looks great and cant wait to see it in spring then summer....

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm a first time visitor...What a huge undertaking...but when you love gardening...it's such a pleasure. I was very interested in your tree full of cardinals. We only have a pair or two around our house. I would love to see a tree full. I checked and found that you are in Tennessee...I read another blog from Tn. and a picture was posted of her tree with cardinals.Cardinals are all year visitors here, but maybe some go to your area for the winter. Looking forward to spring and seeing your progress.
    Balisha

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Balisha....I'm so glad you stopped by! Yes, Morrow Park is huge, but as you say, when you love gardening it is a pleasure! We have Cardinals in our garden year round. They live in dry pond filled with trees and bushes at the back of our property. I just participated in my first Great Backyard Bird Count, but for that I only had 10 show up in the 30 minutes that I counted. In our garden they love the black sunflower seeds and the apples we put out. I hope you come back in spring to see the Big Surprise I have planned for Morrow Park! Thanks again for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting my blog. I love to hear your comments.