Pathway Edging, Turf and Mulch

Phase 6 of new perennial garden in Florence

Fence Installation

Phase 5 of new perennial garden in Florence

Due to heavy root competition and limited sun light we decided to build a fence at the top of the arc. This serves as a focal point in the garden and just like the hedge it makes a great back drop for perennials.

Hedge Planting

Phase 4 of new perennial garden in Florence

When planting a long hedge I find it easiest to dig a trench instead of separate holes. This technique makes it easier to install the hedge in a straight line with proper spacing between each plant.

When planting material of this size it is important to saturate the rootball before back-filling the hole. After setting the plants in the trench and lining them up we filled the trench with water twice. Each time we allowed the water to be completely soaked up by the root balls. 

Once the root balls are saturated, back-fill and water-in. 

Soil prep

Phase 3 of new perennial garden in Florence






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Canna x ehemanii

Dr. David Creech, Director of Stephen F. Austin Arboretum, was kind enough to share this great plant with us earlier this year. It has quickly become my favorite Canna. It is currently in flower and about 9' tall.

Irrigation

Second phase of a new perennial garden install in Florence.

Best Time For Planting

In the South, during the months of June through August gardening can become slightly repetitive. Weed, water, fertilize, Weed, water, fertilize, Weed, water, fertilize, Cut back. You get the picture. So what do you do to escape the hot summer sun. PLAN for the fall. 

All summer long our greenhouse manager is propagating and growing out plants that we have acquired from various  nurseries or from a field collecting trips. Towards the end of the summer our nursery begins to look pretty full, as you can see from the picture below.  

Fall is the best time to plant woody's and perennials. Last week Jenks Farmer and I walked through the nursery and compiled a list of several different cultivars of Rosa and Salix, Hypericum densiflorum, Prunus mume, Clinopodium, and other various woodies and perennials that will be ready to be planted this fall. 

Later that day we walked the garden seeking areas that needed refining or bolstering.   

Now that we have a list of areas, we wait for the favorable planting conditions that come with the month of October.