As I have been weeding the Hardy Exotic Border this evening I thought I would give you an update.
May 2014
The border was first planted a year ago this month. The premise is that it is an opportunity for me to indulge my love of foliage and to create a lush border to cover the slope. Previously I had grown various flowering perennials on the slope but with the introduction of the shed I lost the sunny part of the slope and the area that remains was very shady. The shade has reduced since I had the willow loped but there is still sufficient leaf coverage from the Prunus to provide the shade the plants need.
The border looks a little scruffy due to the dying narcissus foliage. I added some mixed narcissus bulbs this spring but I’m not sure that it really worked as when the bench is back in place you can’t see the narcissus.
The observant of you will notice the increase in ferns over the last year. I just can’t resist them and I am trying to learn how to identify them but it is a very steep learning curve. The dark leaved plant in the front of the border above is Impatiens stenantha and is twice the size it was last year so much so that I have had to relocate an Epimedium that it has engulfed.
The scent on the Buddleja salvifolia is already wonderful and the flowers haven’t quite opened fully. There are only 3 flower heads this year but I am thrilled that there are lots of new shoots appearing and hopefully next year they will each have a flowerhead. Euphorbia stygiana has also started to throw up new shoots and I suspect will become a real thug in the not too distant future. I would like to try and propagate both of these plants so will have to do some research.
From the very shady end of the slope and you can just spot the sprinkling of Arisaema consanguineum all of whose flowers seem to be facing up the slope.
I am pleased with the progress in just one year and although there is still quite a bit of bare soil I am going to stop adding now as I know the plants will soon fill out and cover the soil.
