(second in the Cutting Back series)
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Joan Otter and Karen Bender met me at the demo gardens today and we worked through very cool breezes with a spatter of snowflakes, on cleaning up the northeast side groundcover area that they have decided to adopt, and pulling a few dozen clumps of garlic mustard here and there. We discussed a plan for changes but did not want to disturb the iris/violet combination blooming at its peak just now. Some of the pink daisy mums were dug to move but more are available for adoption as are the remaining plants listed for removal.
The groundcover areas frame the entrance to the building, so they are very noticeable. They get only morning sun, and due to the overhang, very little rain in summer, so the plants growing there are very drought-tolerant. Still, few survive right next to the building. Another stressor is the salt from the sidewalk and parking lot applications. Since about 1995, we have removed more than half the old overgrown and badly pruned junipers from the area and tried to keep the remaining ones pruned regularly and well. Since those hardy shrubs thrive, cover ground and provide winter interest, we should hesitate to remove the last few. Some of the groundcover plants thrive as well, crowding weeds out of their areas and requiring little maintenance. Lately we have tried to let them fill their spots and decrease the higher-maintenance plants. 2011 was the first year we have mulched those beds because our goal was to cover the ground with living groundcovers. Realistically, it is too dry and difficult an area to do that well, particularly along the building. Mulched spaces between the remaining groups will conserve water and moisture and avoid the weedy look.
On the other hand, a coarse mulch of wood chips makes some of the groundcovers more difficult to maintain by shearing them back after flowering, which they need badly, so those should be eliminated. Maintaining some of the perennial groundcovers where tulips and daffodils are planted will help camouflage the bulb foliage as it dies back.
Plants to be removed from this area in 2012: mother-of-thyme, lamb’s ears, blue fescue, silver mint.
Plants to divide and replant in a different spot; dwarf iris and violets, Herman’s Pride false lamium, coralbells, Korean mums. The Andorra juniper was pruned rigorously and if it doesn’t improve in appearance, it may be removed.
Plants to be added; perhaps the dwarf reblooming yellow iris and ‘Happy Returns’ daylilies from the rain garden; try some “hens and chicks” along the building wall near the container.
Maintenance: Deadhead lungwort and bergenia by May 1. Moved plants are likely to need occasional watering in summer. More mulch may be needed after plants are removed.
Monroe County Master Gardener Association 