Yes that's Right! Snow as in Snowbank.
Boltonia asteroides 'Snowbank'
Isn't that a great combination. Boltonia asteroides 'snowbank', Miscanthus sinensis 'variegatus', Salvia guaranitica 'black and blue', and Rosa 'flower carpet red'.
This combination should really pop when the foreground asters begin to bloom. The hollyhocks on the left finally succumbed to the dreaded rust miester curse.
When I first read a description of snowbank, about their daisy flowers and late summer blooming period it peaked my interest. I was in the process of designing a new perennial bed. Snowbank's size and growing conditions met the requirements needed. So I ordered a kit garden from a mail order nursery as this was a way to add quantity and save money. And so the story begins.
Before: January 2010 New Perennial Bed - Mostly vinca minor and volunteer seedlings and of course loaded with nutgrass, the bad carex.
March 2010: Defining the Bed outline. Removing sod and moving it to raise grade in front of bed.(bottom of photo)
April 2010: Adding Flower Carpet Rose, underground drainage pipe with catch basin (below), and field stone border.
April 22 2010: Plants arrive one week after normal last frost. That's Boltonia bottom right.
May 2010: Perennials Planted, more field stone edging added and stone drainage feature added over drain grate.
June 2010: Good growth and removal of nutgrass.
July 2010: Our 1st year in our cottage anniversary. Perennials begin to push. Removal of nutgrass, arghhh.
Boltonia behind, near the house and behind the rose.
April 2011: a new spring. Boltonia is sleeping. No nutgrass yet.
May 2011: Additions to Perennial Bed, an Alaskan of all things. Why not?
This post is about snow.
Late May 2011: Roses are in their glory. Boltonia peeking from the top.
Late May 2011: Son of a Biscuit! What's that yellow grass appearing?
June 1 2011: taking shape. Notice the nice temporary perennial rye grass?
Middle June 2011: Above and Below
July 2011: Above and Below. Boltonia foliage to right.
July 2011
August 2011
Late August 2010: Snowbank in its' starring role as a backup or I should say backdrop.
No need to get the snow shovel out. Even though it's 63 this morning after 50 days of 100. Awesome!
What a great layout of the bed progressing. Snowbank is indeed worth the wait. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your bed's travel through time. It was like watching a child grow and mature and then saying they grow so darn fast.
ReplyDeleteAwesome indeed! You had me scared after we finally cooled off last night, I was afraid we were in for snow already. THIS is the kind of snow I can handle. Thank you for the progression report, you've done a great job!
ReplyDeleteEverything looks so lovely now Greggo. I was worried at first when I saw the title. Glad it's not real snow.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
What a marvelous before, during and right now post! I love what you've done and wish that Snowbank was happy in my garden~it's a delightful flowering plant. gail
ReplyDeleteIt looks great! All your hard work paid off.
ReplyDeleteYou've done a great job. That's a lot of work. But, it did pay off. It looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGreat discipline taking all those photos!
ReplyDeleteYou should feature this post on Hanni from Sweet Bean Gardening's Before and After series...excellent. And I love your 'snow'...outstanding combination.
ReplyDeleteYou should get some kind of award for that bed-- what a success! If you wake up one morning and there is a gold star on your forehead, well that's why.
ReplyDeleteI am glad your weather has moderated, but not enough for real snow.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful bed! Your Snowbank looks a bit like kalimeris 'Daisy Mae', one of my garden favorites. 50 days over 100? Ugh!!! Love the before and afters. :o)
ReplyDeleteThank heavens it's a different type of snow. I have very recent memories of the last lot (the snow that falls from the sky) and the way the weather's going here it may soon be back again.
ReplyDeleteSnowbank looks very pretty in your border. Lovely habit.
Beautiful...I just love those type of "airy" plants! Very impressive for just being a year old!
ReplyDeleteLooking good!
ReplyDeleteThat's the sort of snow I can handle! I'm always amazed how quickly garden beds fill in. Beautifully done.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. The Boltonia looks especially wonderful with the variegated Miscanthus--so cool and refreshing, especially after all those 100 degree days.
ReplyDeleteThat is a STUNNING combination! Absolutely love it!
ReplyDeleteDear Greggo, This is my favorite type of posting because it has 'before and after' pictures. Love the transformation. Love the title. P.
ReplyDeleteGreat way to tell a story Greggo, and a fantastic ending.
ReplyDeleteIt's awesome to see the transformation of this corner of your garden.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing the transformation over time. Your garden is beautiful, and your photos tell the story well. The plant combinations are great! Our temps have also moderated. It is a wonderful time of year!
ReplyDeleteReally great record keeping! I just found your blog and look forward to reading more! Chris Las Aventuras PS. Snow would be great right now...it's a bit hot here in Tucson:)
ReplyDeleteWow, i love looking at the fruits of your labor. But i also laugh at your "son of biscuit!", first time to hear that! That's better than the most common phrases they normally utter at the drop of their hands.
ReplyDeleteThe Boltonia looks especially wonderful with the variegated Miscanthus, it is so cool and refreshing, especially after all those 100 degree days.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. It was engaging from beginning to end. Lovely parting photo of the snowbank!
ReplyDeleteNice job, and I tough in the beginning that you got real snow.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful to see your bed take shape. I hate nut grass too! This was my first experience with it and still fighting it. You photography is gorgeous and your blog is so cute! I'm new to this blogging world. I love to see beauty from all around the world. You can certainly do that through blogging. Your bride was right!
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