Monday, September 23, 2013

Fall Planting Season

Although spring arrives early in southern California, fall usually arrives late.  For that reason, I didn't plan to start my fall planting until mid-October at earliest but, once again, I couldn't stop myself.  My husband and I began working on the side yard mid-summer, tearing out the beat-up lawn and adding a major extension to the existing flagstone walkway.  I posted about the planting I did around the walkway earlier this month.  This weekend, when cooler temperatures returned following a heat wave, my itch to begin planting the large open space in the side yard returned.

Side yard area after lawn was removed and new top soil was added


So, I went shopping.  I focused on finding the largest plants in my scheme.  I'd plotted a prospective plan for the side yard earlier but I knew that, once I had the plants on hand, I would probably make adjustments.  I figured that putting the largest plants in place would help me flesh out my other plant choices.  Here's what I got:

  • 3 Agonis flexuosa 'Nana'
  • 3 Coprosma 'Plum Hussey'
  • 2 Phormium 'Amazing Red'
  • 3 Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'

I also picked up a few small plants to provide some fall/winter color and moved quite a few plants in the adjacent border.  There's still a lot of open space to fill but it's a start.

View from backyard lawn
View looking toward patio



View from inside the house


Believe it or not, the chair cushions provided the jumping off point for the plant choices.  The new growth on Agonis flexuosa 'Nana'  is a red/orange color.  The color of the stems also picks up on the bark of the Arbutus 'Marina' on the other side of the open area.

Agonis flexuosa 'Nana' (aka Dwarf Peppermint Tree)


I wanted a dark-toned Phormium to complement the Agonis.  After passing on P. 'Dark Delight' and P. 'Pratt's Black,' I ended up with Phormium 'Amazing Red.'

Phormium 'Amazing Red'


This appears to be shorter than the varieties I'd originally considered, although internet sources are divided on its size with estimates ranging from 2 feet to as tall as 4-6 feet.  However, operating on the assumption that it'll stay fairly short, I moved the positions of the 2 I bought from the placements I'd originally planned.

I wanted to add more Coprosma repens 'Plum Hussey' to connect the space with the nearby bed created after the removal of our large Eucalyptus tree.  The red tones in this plant play nicely with the Phormium and the Agonis but I need to add a deep green groundcover of some kind to highlight the variegation in the plants - that's still to come.

Coprosma repens 'Plum Hussey'


For fall color, I added a Cuphea melvillea 'Candy Corn,' which mirrors the colors in my patio pillows.  It gets only 2 feet tall by 1.5 feet wide so I may get more.

Cuphea melvillea 'Candy Corn'


For additional color, I put in an orange Anigozanthos (aka Kangaroo Paws) and 3 Ursinia anthemoides 'Solar Flare,' which I'd previously admired.  According to Annie's Annuals & Perennials, the latter plant should bloom soon after planting.

Anigozanthos (no ID as to variety)

Ursinia anthemoides 'Solar Fire,' a self-seeding annual, which reportedly can be grown year-round in zone 10, and which produces orange/gold flowers with a burgundy ring


I pulled 3 annual Pennisetum glaucum 'Purple Baron,' out of the back border, where their red-toned color had clashed with surrounding plants, and popped them into a large pot, which now anchors an empty area of the new bed.

Pennisetum glaucum 'Purple Baron,' an ornamental millet


One side of the new area is now partially filled but the other side is still relatively empty as I reconsider some of my original choices.  I did add 3 Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum' from 1-gallon pots, as well as a 6-pack of Echinacea 'Magnus;' however, it's going to be a while before those plants gain a real presence in the garden.

Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum' and Echinacea 'Magnus'



More choices need to be made.  I'm ordering some daylilies for a few spots.  I also need to add more flagstone to provide a pathway across the new space.  Ideally, I'd like to add a decorative element like a sundial or a peace pole in the middle but I may have to put that on my Christmas list.

I feel that I've made a good (if early) start.  I predict that there are many more visits to the local nurseries in my immediate future as I chip away at bare earth.  Fall is the best time to plant in this area of the country and I intend to take advantage of it.  The days are still warm, the nights are cool but never really cold, and rain is, hopefully, on the horizon.  

14 comments:

  1. Probably the most exciting thing for a gardener is newly opened space! You've chosen some great plants for your space! I'm looking forward to seeing how it grows and fills in!

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    1. Exciting, yes - and a little overwhelming! Thanks for checking out the new space, Peter.

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  2. What thoughtful planner you are Kris..I have far less discipline . I think this is going to look great in a few months.

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    1. Oh, the discipline is relatively recent, Kathy. With my former, much smaller garden, I designed on the fly by arranging mixes on the nursery cart. In the "new" garden, with bigger spaces to fill, I have to get more organized so I don't throw my budget away.

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  3. I love that you've got a plan and that your chair cushions were inspiration...success for sure. I usually just end up trying to find a way to make a bunch of plants I love (and had to have) play nice together.

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    1. Frankly, that's how I usually manage my plant selections too, Loree, but I'm trying to control my collector tendencies when it comes to the new beds. It's probably a temporary aberration...

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  4. Ahh for a long growing season like yours! I was admiring your cushions funny enough and then you mentioned that it was the jumping point or inspiration for your planting, great idea! Looking forward to the progress :)

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    1. Something drew me to those pillows in the catalog - I guess they were just a foreshadowing of the direction I was headed (even if I didn't realize it).

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  5. I think I'll just take a seat on one of those chairs and "supervise" :). Maybe I'll get the motivation I need to go out and work on a few renovation projects in my own garden. At the very least I'll get some good ideas.

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    1. I've asked myself if our year-long growing season is a blessing or a curse. On the one hand, I love gardening in the fall, when the temps become so pleasant. On the other hand, a break to step back and just plan sounds appealing sometimes...

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  6. That's going to look awesome. What a great jumping off point--those pillows are great!

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    1. I hope it'll come together, Heather. I'm afraid I'm already second guessing those 3 Agonis - they can get big.

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  7. I love your plant choices. Yes, I too can't always wait for cooler weather to begin garden projects. But just think....by the time it's cooler you can simply sit and enjoy all those new additions to your garden! David/:0)

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    1. Thanks, David! My guess is that I'll still be planting well into winter...

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