In 2014 while we were finishing up the deer fence, we had an official garden plan drawn up. The plan shows existing trees, the pond, the gazebo etc. It is a good representation of the bones of the garden and where it could eventually go. The plan wasn’t cheap and to be honest we had high hopes that it would lay out what to do with the plants we had and what plants to add to complete the garden. We didn’t think it would be an over night process more like several years and that was okay.
When we got the plan we realized there were some issues, for starters she hadn’t included any of the plants that were already here. The plantings while lovely on paper for the most part weren’t correct for our growing conditions. When we asked we were told she would get back to us, she never did.
Now here I am some 3 years later doing my best to design with the plants that I have around the bones that were on the plan. I’ve taken an inventory of my plants, I researched their growing conditions and the best times to transplant. I’ve also been devouring plant combination pins on Pinterest as well as suggestions for additions to the gardens.
The thing is, planning a garden this way involves a lot of thinking. Over the years I’ve basically just plunked down plants where the growing conditions were close to what they needed. I’ve occasionally tried to put color combinations together, but I’ve never worried about texture or varying heights. What my eyes didn’t see in my 20’s they now see very clearly in my 40’s. I need evergreens for height, winter interest and for the birds to take shelter in from hawks. I need shrubs that will add color and focal points and I need texture in the form of grasses and different types of leaves. I see it clearly now and the work that is ahead.
For me gardening is the best stress release there is. I get pleasure from working outside till I can barely walk, being covered in dirt and knowing that when my head hits the pillow I’ll fall asleep.
Even if it is to dream about garden plans…
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