Back Yard Redo - Phase 2

I was ambitious this spring and after

giving up the battle of the weeds.

I took on a few projects in my back yard.

one was the checkboard patio (Phase 1).

(which I dearly love)

Then I had this revelation to do an herb

bed in the back.  I have always 

loved the structured English cottage knot gardens.

So after some pliminary planning I took

the leap of faith and phase 2 is over. 

The garden is 14' X 14' and would need

almost 50 dwarf shrubs to layout

the square design

I found dwarf  Boxwood which was naturally 

my favorite, but ouch, $6 - 7 a plant.

I knew I just needed a small leaved hedge

and one that would stay dwarf.  I found 

Helira at our local flea market for $3 each.

The soil was amended, amended and

amended more.

 The English cottage garden design

is all about synmetry and I chose

the traditional square with a X on the inside.

 

The center of my garden plays host

to a gift from my friend Pam many years ago.

I chose Artemisia to surround the

iron structure. Here in the deep south it is

easy to find Dusty Miller or Snow on the Mountain

Artemisia so I mixed the two.

I love the lace foliage of Artemisia

and the gray white color just

glistens in the garden

After the structure was in place then the

fun began and I was able to fill 

in with herbs.

I have a herb bed in the front cottage garden 

but I have enjoyed being able to pick

from the back.  This area gets only morning sun

so I shall see how everything grows.  

Our spring is over this week the weather has been

in the 90's so my garden planning is over 

until at least fall.

My Phase 3 in my Backyard makeover is

a shade bed running along my fence line.

I have mostly moss, ferns and hosta.  I will feature

this bed in another post. For now I can't wait to

check out what your garden projects have been.

Enjoy!  Lets Garden Hop! Kathy 

http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/2013/06/seasonal-sundays-156gardening.html
 Yvonne @ Stonegable  for Tutorials - Tips and Tidbits Thursday
Gina @ The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursday
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