Re: ferns w/natives
Hello Bobbi,
If you will remember we are on the north side of a hill here. The pines are
both red and whites, and we are on the north side of those. The property line and
the edge of the pines near the lawn run east to west. Don't know if I can describe
this or not..... imagine a straight line where the lawn ends (more or less). Now
the pines form a jagged line running along the straight line of the lawn, like saw
teeth. Some have died, they have varying spacing, etc. Our intention is to begin
on one end where there is a bit of a pocket back into the pines.... say about 25
feet back and about that long along the line of the lawn. We intend to plant a
stand of 3 Itea 'Henry's Garnet' in the background under the pines. Next would
come a weaving of tall ferns in front of the Itea and then out to the lawn edge,
like a horseshoe. In the center some massive green and white variegated hosta. Top
that off with ground cover to meet the lawn edge in front of the hosta.
Next would be a pine right at the edge of the lawn, so only some ferns in
large clumps to connect to the next pocket back into the stand. When completed
each pocket will be different shrubs and combinations, but hopefully connected
when completed to form a continuous flow.
Have I made any sense at all here?
Ninebark is on our list, as are the Carolina Spicebush. Speaking of... we
thought there would be too much shade for this one.... would not bloom well if too
much shade. Your experience? Also having a problem finding shrubs in blooms so we
can check the scent, or get assurances that what we are purchasing is sweet
scented.
Winterberry holly I have in the garden. We also purchased a lot of different
cultivars and species of Viburnum, but these are being reserved for the open area
on the west fence row as a screen. Snowberry we were told would not form berries
in heavy shade.
Found a new (to us) landscaper in Litchfield KY and made a day long trip over
to check him out. Came home with a van filled with pots... took all the seats out
before we left. ....We will be going back for another load later in the year.
Our list of desirables comes from compiling a list from a lecture at the hosta
college last February, local landscaper, Dirr's hard Trees and Shrubs.
Gene Bush Southern Indiana Zone 6a Munchkin Nursery
around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com http://www.munchkinnursery.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Bobbi Diehl <diehlr@INDIANA.EDU>
Subject: Re: [SG] ferns w/natives
> Gene,
>
> Could you share more details with us? What native shrubs, in particular,
> How arranged/grouped, and where are the ferns in relation to them? Where
> are you buying the shrubs? I am a native shrub nut and am always looking
> for a few more. I also have a similar situation at the new place, with
> very tall evergreens all in a row along the west side of the lot and lawn
> running right up to the evergreens.
>
> BTW, Our little native shrub border at the old place, in part shade, has
> some less than successful individuals in it. Several that we are really
> delighted with are snowberry, black chokeberry, winterberry holly, and
> ninebark. Also Carolina spicebush. I highly recommend all of these to Gene
> or anyone else thinking of native shrubs and would love to hear more
> recommendations in return.
>
> Bobbi Diehl
> Bloomington, IN
> zone 5/6
>
>
> On Thu, 27 Jul 2000, GeneBush wrote:
> I will be using these and more this fall in combination with native shrubs
> along the edge of a stand of red and white pines to step them down to the lawn
> which runs up to the woodland edge.
