All through May, I have been working hard in the bog garden, the weeds had taken hold last year and were winning the battle. I had to be totally blinkered while weeding, not to get distracted by anything else, just get my head down and weed, weed, weed as the candelabra primulas and other plants were starting to flower. At last I have done it and I can now show you the result. Of course I should have taken “before” photos, but forgot.
The ferns on the left had spread so much that they had completely covered 2 lovely large hostas, they were rescued and the ferns removed from the front of the border. The variegated iris will be moved further back when they have finished flowering, to make room for more primulas which I will sow from seed.
The carving needs attention, but that will have to wait, removing weeds is more important!
My favourite rodgersia is growing nicely and spreading too. I’ve added a new hosta Sum and Substance behind which I know will grow nice and large to contrast with the rodgersia. The Astilbes will soon be flowering. I must mix my primulas up, the ones here are later flowering than the previous ones, so must get some earlier flowering ones in this part of the bed.
This is the drier end to the bog garden, the same ferns here are only half the size of the ones at the top of the post, hostas love it though and do really well here. Must sow more primulas here too.
Iris sibirica are now in rather a shady spot, under the Amelanchier tree, now that it has grown, maybe I’ll have to move them. The foxgloves shine out in the dark though.
I don’t remember planting this foxglove, I think it just put itself here and I’m very grateful to it.
All the hostas in this border seem to have done really well this year.
Yes, definitely more primulas needed at this end, this one looks rather lonely by itself.
Lots more to come, soon there will be flowers all along the border, I got finished just in time!
While waiting for the flowers to come, I’ll enjoy the contrast of foliage this border provides.
The next area to be tackled is the rockery, which is in the same disgraceful state. This time though I’ll take some photos to show just how awful it is!
I find I’m now culling ferns like weeds which I never thought possible a few years ago! They really do take over given the right conditions.
The bog garden is looking beautiful!
I think all the rain we had in the winter made all the ferns spread like mad, the one in the photo is almost as tall as me this year!
I am trying to balance fighting weeds and redoing entire beds. I have plants languishing in pots because I thought I’d be done sooner with the redo, but I don’t want the weeds to take over. Your hard work has paid off, the bed looks wonderful! I tried to get candelabra Primulas going in my garden a few years ago, but they disappeared, so I’m very jealous of yours.
I know the feeling Alison, already the previous bed has more weeds coming through again, I must keep at it this year, I gave up last year and this is the result unfortunately. We have an underground stream where the bog is, so the soil is permanently wet, I think the primulas and other plants like it.
Well that sounds familiar! Weeding and more weeding pretty much sums up my week as well, although I’m hoping to soon turn the corner, assuming things fill in and cover the gaps.
The garden looks wonderful. I wish I had a wet spot that would grow such beautiful primula.
That border Frank, is permanently wet, there is an underground stream running under it and stays wet even in the height of summer. When we first moved here, everything in that border was dying, the previous people had planted plants that like well drained soil! So many people told me to put drains in, but I decided it was far less work to plant plants that like boggy soil and I’m now so glad that I did.
Oh job well done Pauline. It’s so hard to concentrate on weeding alone. The end result looks brilliant. I’ve had one or two from nowhere white foxgloves appear this year and like you am grateful for their considerate appearance.
Thanks Anna, but I have had to be really blinkered and not lose concentration though! Love the white foxgloves, must sprinkle seed to make more for next year.
Weeding can be so frustrating so I am glad you have got a lot done. The border is looking fabulous! Lovely foliage and those white foxgloves are gorgeous!
Because it was so awful earlier Cathy, I’m getting such a sense of achievement when the weeds are cleared, it all looks so much better, just all the rest to do now! I’m enjoying all my foxgloves and already thinking that I must have more in other areas, I can see that I’ll be growing lots of seedlings!
Hostas are just so varied and beautiful. I do miss the many I had while gardening in CT!
I can’t imagine not being able to grow hostas Jayne, I have so many shady borders, they are essential!
Your hostas look wonderful, something I hope to plant next year when I start stage two of my garden make-over. Love the sculpture.
Thanks Penny, Hostas are wonderful for all my shady borders, I’m clearing quite a long strip where campanula have taken over, so will need to buy myself some more soon. Glad you like the carving, I carved it many years ago to be the centre of the bog garden, when sitting on the swinging seat in the border opposite, it makes a good focal point.
Hi Pauline, I’m trying to catch-up reading my favorite blogs and you never disappoint. Hopefully, my woodland garden will fill in like yours before too many more seasons. Your gardens are delightful! It’s so inviting. The white Foxglove is a lovely bit of light in the dark and I may have to get some variegated Iris…..it makes a statement without blooming.
Thank you Sally for your lovely comment! I must definitely grow more white foxgloves, they are so beautiful in the deep shade. The only problem with the variegated iris is that the leaves change to plain green after it has flowered, but I think it is worth it for the 4 months it is variegated.
Hi Pauline. Your borders look immaculate and inviting. I know that doesn’t just happen without a lot of work and planning. The hostas make quite a show and your white foxglove peeking out is lovely. Weeding remains a problem here–I’ve managed only a small portion, but what a boost to my garden enjoyment to have some of it done!
Thank you so much Susie, the borders have certainly kept me busy for the last few weeks and plenty more to come!It is so satisfying to get each area cleared, hopefully I will have it all back under control again by the end of the year.