The Stump Bed

I really need to think of some better names for my garden areas… :-) This flower bed surrounds a giant poplar stump and is an island bed near the edge of the woods. Last year I planted mixed colors of coleus in it, this year it has two colors of coleus, salvia I grew from seed, perilla, and elephant ears. There are also coneflowers and a few hostas in this bed, along with some perennial geraniums, columbines, and purple shamrocks. Click photos to enlarge.

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The purple urn is completely covered now with these bubblegum supertunias — this photo taken right after planting.

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‘Blackberry Waffles’ and ‘Confection’ Coleus, Salvia ‘Victoria Blue’

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A closer look at the coleus

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Perilla (in front)

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The bed in May and early June

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The Long Border

This flower bed runs on both sides of a small creek for about forty-five feet, with a huge poplar tree and the round marble patio with a seating area and some containers at one end. It’s cottage garden style, which means I plant whatever I want in there. :) Right now, it’s a rainbow of color. There are two small bridges within this border, and an arch with hyacinth bean vine. I have planted the bed with a mix of annuals, coneflowers, heucheras, hydrangeas, a ‘Josee’ Lilac, black and green elephant ears, lots of spring bulbs, caladiums, alternanthera, bee balm, agastache, two red bud trees on one side… and much more. The area gets mostly full sun with evening shade. These photos show one side of this long border, click any to enlarge.

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Mix of plants at one end of border

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One side of border with patio

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One end of border in background, looking from edge of front bed

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Mixed annuals near one of the bridges

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Arch with hyacinth bean vine

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Details, patio, closer view

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Fountain and supertunias, Dragon Wing Begonias, Mixed Caladiums

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Dahlias

I started my dahlia tubers outside earlier this year than I ever have (in March!), and they’re all blooming and look so pretty right now in a small bed right off the concrete patio. These are mostly mixed-color Unwin Dwarf Dahlias, along with a photo of the Collarettes. Which one is your favorite? I think I like the red ones the best, and the Collarettes are always favorites.

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A nice yellow near the fountain

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Pretty red semi-double

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Collarettes at the end of the bed

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Pink double

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Nice single white

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Peachy-pink colored

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Yellow and orange dahlia

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Purple double

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Semi-double peach dahlia

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The Coleus Bed In August

I filled the new island bed (created in spring of last year) with all coleus plants this year and even after two or three hail storms and an extremely HOT and dry summer, it still looks good. I love these plants! Next year, this island bed will be much larger and have a small seating area and water feature and probably some different types of flowers, but for now, I’m happy with the thriving coleus plants. Click on photos to view larger versions.

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Island bed with coleus plants and gazebo in background.

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A closer view.

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I grew a lot of these coleus from seed. Some of the fancier varieties
I ordered from Rosy Dawn gardens and Gebhart’s.

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With foliage like this, who needs flowers?

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These plants love this partly shaded area with rich soil.

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Volunteer impatiens come up all throughout my garden.

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A few of the individual plants.

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