Gardens in Your Mind--Now a Reality

My neighbor on the south side has wanted to replant her front sidewalk bed. It's long and narrow--and that's the problem! 

She had a "garden in her mind" that included some color, texture, and slow-growing plants that would not spill over onto the walkway like the giant hostas originally planted there.

Last year we talked about possibilities and I sent her photos of likely candidates.  This year we went plant shopping at Paul and Sandy's Too and Pine Ledge Gardens --and dug the holes!  She already had some Lamium maculatum 'Pink Pewter' or dead nettle which we divided and spread among the new plants. 

We left the Artemesia 'Silver Mound' in place and undivided. 

We took out two huge hostas with smooth, blue-green leaves trimmed with light green edges, but left a smaller one to anchor the walkway at the driveway and garage.

Then we started planting the Japanese painted ferns with silver and burgundy markings,

and the Astilbe 'Montgomery' with the delicate spikes of blooms that change from cherry red to burgundy as they mature in the border.

At the step to the front porch, she planted a pink Veronica 'Erica' or Speedwell.  Full shade-- so we shall see how it blooms.  If it doesn't bloom well, we'll go shopping again next year...

to make sure that "garden in her mind" matches what is really planted along the sidewalk.