RE: "Magazine" flowerbed

Yes, Yvette, I agree!  The flowerbeds in those garden publications sent
down from the heavens above are merely dreams for those of us who must
work for a living.  

Subconsciously I knew this years ago, watching my father being a slave
to our yard.  Only after he retired, and was able to work from sun up to
sun down was he able to get close to the same results.  <sigh>  It all
came clear when we bought our first home a couple of months ago, and I
realized that I'd inherited what I call the "green gene", or "gardener's
gene". Luckily, I still remember my father's frustrations, and have
acquiesced to the fact that until I'm independently wealthy and
unemployed (the only way to be unemployed ;) will I have those types of
beds. <double sigh>

With my own beds, I've begun (and trust me, it's been done in a not so
patient fashion) with my well spaced perennials, filled in with annuals
caught on sale, and seeds planted strategically amongst the plants for a
possible summertime resemblance of "fullness".  My yellow nasturtiums
are coming up around the yellow dwarf dahlias, first lady marigolds
(2/1.00 @ walmart), shasta daisies (bought in 1 gal. pots), as are the
seedlings for some pale yellow and white zinnias.  I anxiously check
them each evening, as if they will reach some hormonal growth spurt  in
my absence over the course of the day.  Alas, I've only seen the normal
growth, but I know these beds will absolutely jazz by summer.  

I've also mapped out the large bed, but closed it in a bit with beauty
bark (is this what you all are referring to as mulch? forgive my
ignorance) to lessen the "nakedness" of the bed, and allow room for
growth as time passes (assuming I have no casualties in the bed).  So
far, everyone's playing well together, and it's coming along... 

I'd be curious to see pics of all the newbie gardener's beds this summer
so we can see/brag on the results of the tips/hints received off the
list!


neens

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Whigmaster@aol.com [SMTP:Whigmaster@aol.com]
> Sent:	Thursday, June 18, 1998 9:14 AM
> To:	perennials@mallorn.com
> Subject:	Re: "Magazine" flowerbed
> 
> Well Yvette, don't try and make your beds look like those in the
> magazine, you
> will be disappointed.  Do what *you* think looks good.  I planted a
> new bed
> last year and it looked sparse, well you should see it this year!  I
> am going
> to have to move some things out as I put to much in-but didn't realize
> it last
> year.  I use zinnias, and some other annuals to give the new areas
> some color.
> Be patient with your perennials and they will repay you with their
> beauty.  
> This may not be the answer you are looking for but it has worked for
> me.
> 
> Janice
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