JBtheExplorer
Native Gardener
I haven't done much around my pond since I added it, other than replacing most non-native species with native species. However, I've been thinking about this since last fall and now that spring is (allegedly) here, it's about time to start this small project.
This little half-circle garden around the fence post has been one of my favorite garden areas within my pond area. It's always been a very colorful and densely planted mini-garden. It's an area that has been very attractive to native bees since there's a lot of nectar sources as well as bare soil for them to nest in.
I've decided it's time to make this area a little larger. The area just to the left of it has a few plants, but it's always been an area that's needed improvement. Last week, I discovered that I had more leftover bricks, likely the exact amount I'll need to make this happen. That's pretty good luck. I also still have a small pile of dirt remaining from the pond hole that I can use to raise the addition to the height of the original section. Depending on the weather, I may be able to start this week. As some of you know, I have a rabbit nest in the "original" area, so I'll have to wait for them to leave the nest before I work on that end.
Almost every specie that I had in the original section will be removed this year. I have a general idea of which species I plan to add to this new area.
Prairie Smoke. I added it to the original section last year. I'll be keeping it, as well as adding more of it in the future. I want quite a bit of it since it's such an early grower and bloomer.
Prairie Coreopsis. I just started growing it from seed this year, and I think that'll be a good area for it.
Purple Prairie Clover. I've had trouble with this plant - because rabbits love it. I'll try growing it in this area. If it grows it grows, if not, I may have to give up on it.
Long-headed Coneflower. This specie doesn't seem to do very well out in my native garden. It blooms, but doesn't get to the size that it should. It might prefer the slightly drier and hotter area by my pond, so I'm planning on moving it there this year. I love this plant and I'd hate to lose it.
Bush's Coneflower. I already have a few of these in the area. They grow a little shorter than Purple Coneflower, so I think they'll be a better fit in my pond area.
Stout Blue-eyed Grass. I have this growing everywhere around my pond, so I might as well add it to this section, too. I really can't get enough of it.
Rocky Mountain Penstemon. I know very little about this plant. I started growing it as a gift to a relative last year, but I'm growing a few seedlings for myself and I'll see how much the bees like it. If they love it, I'll probably keep it. (Photo from Google)
Orange Milkweed. It was growing in the original section, but may have died off last year. If so, I'll replace it with seedlings. Just one will be enough, so I'll have room for everything else I plan on adding.
Beyond that, I may add one or two new species this year. I'm not quite sure what I want just yet. Guess I'll have to wait and see when the time comes.
This little half-circle garden around the fence post has been one of my favorite garden areas within my pond area. It's always been a very colorful and densely planted mini-garden. It's an area that has been very attractive to native bees since there's a lot of nectar sources as well as bare soil for them to nest in.
I've decided it's time to make this area a little larger. The area just to the left of it has a few plants, but it's always been an area that's needed improvement. Last week, I discovered that I had more leftover bricks, likely the exact amount I'll need to make this happen. That's pretty good luck. I also still have a small pile of dirt remaining from the pond hole that I can use to raise the addition to the height of the original section. Depending on the weather, I may be able to start this week. As some of you know, I have a rabbit nest in the "original" area, so I'll have to wait for them to leave the nest before I work on that end.
Almost every specie that I had in the original section will be removed this year. I have a general idea of which species I plan to add to this new area.
Prairie Smoke. I added it to the original section last year. I'll be keeping it, as well as adding more of it in the future. I want quite a bit of it since it's such an early grower and bloomer.
Prairie Coreopsis. I just started growing it from seed this year, and I think that'll be a good area for it.
Purple Prairie Clover. I've had trouble with this plant - because rabbits love it. I'll try growing it in this area. If it grows it grows, if not, I may have to give up on it.
Long-headed Coneflower. This specie doesn't seem to do very well out in my native garden. It blooms, but doesn't get to the size that it should. It might prefer the slightly drier and hotter area by my pond, so I'm planning on moving it there this year. I love this plant and I'd hate to lose it.
Bush's Coneflower. I already have a few of these in the area. They grow a little shorter than Purple Coneflower, so I think they'll be a better fit in my pond area.
Stout Blue-eyed Grass. I have this growing everywhere around my pond, so I might as well add it to this section, too. I really can't get enough of it.
Rocky Mountain Penstemon. I know very little about this plant. I started growing it as a gift to a relative last year, but I'm growing a few seedlings for myself and I'll see how much the bees like it. If they love it, I'll probably keep it. (Photo from Google)
Orange Milkweed. It was growing in the original section, but may have died off last year. If so, I'll replace it with seedlings. Just one will be enough, so I'll have room for everything else I plan on adding.
Beyond that, I may add one or two new species this year. I'm not quite sure what I want just yet. Guess I'll have to wait and see when the time comes.
