Take a look around your home. It’s easy to see now where you might like to add or subtract to your landscape.
Is there a view you would like to block? Is there a space where you would like to look out and see something beautiful and interesting? Is an overgrown tree or shrub now in the way of you and your guests maneuvering to your front door and enjoying outdoor get-togethers?
As Kent and I have been in our home over 20 years, we are making some changes and freshening up our look. March is a good time to be an armchair gardener or to attend some of the many classes offered locally for inspiration and help. The Growing Place, Cantigny and the Morton Arboretum offer inspiration and classes.
Keep in mind requirements as you plan and plant a new area. We replaced our drive and walk and now have a new triangle where an overgrown bush was removed. The hummingbirds and butterflies will come as I have planted perennials and herbs that they should find irresistible. I have to keep reminding myself that the plants I chose are expected to do their best in my well-draining soil (amended with fine gravel) in full sun and they are all drought tolerant. This will be their second year, so all plants should need little attention. If I can resist adding plants that require moist soil, it should be great, but restraint has never been my strong suit in a garden center. I just have to remember to stick to the plan for that area! My plants include New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus), coneflowers (Echinacea PowWow White and Powwow Wildberry), lavender (Hidcote and Munstead) and I will add some herbs to fill in during the summer.
Remember that weeds grow on exposed soil. Their purpose in life is to keep the soil from eroding, so to let them know they’re not needed; cover up your soil with plants or mulch.
