When we put in our garden we got large deliveries of black dirt and gravel; unfortunately I forgot to put tarps down under either of these and we still have small piles of dirt and gravel out back. We also got extra edging pieces and I kept thinking we’d do something with them – and they are still out there too.
Right now it’s a mess. Nasty weeds have taken over because we couldn’t mow the spots easily, and I’m a bit reluctant to pick up the edging without wearing gloves at least. Cleaning it up is on my to-do list, and I’m not looking forward to it.
Mess in Backyard
The overall messy place is about 24 feet long at the widest, back by the fence, and 16 feet deep, roughly trapezoidal shaped. Ground slopes, it’s sandy and gravelly and gets full sun. Dave planted a couple Rose of Sharon by the fence, and if they are alive they are the start of a pretty backdrop. We’ll shrink the space down and let the lawn take over part, and put the rest to good use with perennial grasses.
Once it warms up some – figure early April – I plan to dig up as much gravel as possible and put it in the pathways that have sunk a bit, then kill off all the weeds. We’ll have to get the Rose of Sharon out first, then replant once the weeds are dead.
Here are the grasses that may find a home with us.
Encore Miscanthus gets about 4 1/2 feet tall with plumes adding another 18 inches or so, and spreads about 4 feet wide. We enjoy our Miscanthus that is in the front circle but it blooms very late. Encore is supposed to bloom earlier.
Encore MIscanthus Linked from Gilbert H Wild
Northwind Switch Grass has tall, vertical interest that contrasts with the puffy, plumes of the Miscanthus. It also is tall, 5-6 feet.
Northwinds Switch Grass Linked from Gilbert H Wild Website
Ice Cream grass has arching leave that give strong shape interest. I like the color contrast too.
Ice Cream Grass Linked from Gilbert H WIld
Someone planted several Pennisetum in the out lawn on the way home from church. It looks wonderful. The Karley Rose variety from Gilbert H Wild is medium tall and has rosy purple plumes.
Karley Rose Oriental Fountain Grass Linked from Gilbert H Wild
There are many varieties besides these, but this looks like a nice start!
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