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NEW ORNEMENTAL GRASS & HEATHER GARDEN AT FOXHOLLOW

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Just a series of photos to show the new grass and heather garden planted here. This area is directly to the front of the property, and was mainly used previously as an area to keep surplus plants, and also became a place to store redundant fencing materials and bricks etc. At times it could look very scruffy, so the decision was taken in Autumn 2008 to create a new area with plants that were increasingly being removed from the main part of the garden to make way for the ever expanding dwarf conifer collection……grasses and heathers…..something a little bit different I thought, and a slightly new slant on the usual grass, perennial prairie style planting that’s all the rage these days.


The area to the front of the house to be the new grass & heather garden in September 2007.


The process of relocating the planted dwarf conifers to other parts of the garden begins in December 2008.

March 2010


The area was cleared, prepared and planted throughout 2009, I also erected a new fence, added a bench, and a makeshift stepping stone path just to act as a guide and a bit of a focus through the garden. The above photos were taken back in March this year.
August 2010


Pennisetum villosum – a stunning grass, and came through last winter here without too much of a problem.


The Grass & Heather garden has established in a reasonably short period, only because the majority of the plants used were already sizeable specimens that were planted elsewhere throughout the main garden, and some of the larger Miscanthus cultivars even had to be divided before relocating into their new positions. The above photos are from August this year, and the remainder below were taken since the beginning of September.
September 2010

More blog posts by bluespruce

Previous post: SOME SNOW PICS - Just for a change

Next post: Cuddly Conifers



Comments

 

Wonderful specimens. Grasses look as good as flowers when planted like this. Well done. :0))

11 Sep, 2010

 

I think that looks great Bs :-)))))))))))
It's nice to have a change sometimes, keeps things interesting.
I always like seeing pictures of your garden though !

11 Sep, 2010

 

That looks fantastic Blue, I really like the curved stepping stone path too It makes a nice feature :-)))

11 Sep, 2010

 

Hi bluespruce
the grasses are such wonderful fluffy balls. I bet you run your hands over them each time you pass. Lovely change of colour.
Best wishes
Linda

11 Sep, 2010

 

thought you must have been busy Bluespruce--- but the results are wonderful-- and looking so settled after such a short time too

11 Sep, 2010

 

-- I've just nominated it for Goypedia (under grasses) as it showsin such detail how to make such a wonderful garden--

11 Sep, 2010

 

Thanks everyone, might have to disappear again tho judging by the muted response to my first blog in nine months!....or perhaps I could go for the personal makeover like Hywel to get the comments flowing....then again I think I'm pretty enough as I am ha ha ;0)))

11 Sep, 2010

 

Gorgeous grass and heather garden Stephen ...

... you could make false moustaches out of some of those grasses ?

... sort of cottage industry for the winter months ... ;o)

11 Sep, 2010

 

Muted response ? I think not as you posted this blog today ! I really love the plants you have put in, the Pennisetum Villosum I've seen recently in a public garden and it's one you just want to touch all the time ! Will the mulch be a favourite for Blackbirds to delve into ?

11 Sep, 2010

 

Nice one Terratoonie :)
Hi Shirley, I thought I might have had twenty or so responses by now, and it'll be off the end of the page and forgotten by the end of tonight! ...I need an audience you see ha ha....seriously tho, no what you mean about blackbirds and mulch, but it's more of a problem where the island beds are adjacent to grass paths in the main garden...they chuck the stuff everywhere!!

11 Sep, 2010

 

well welcome back, i wondered what you had been up too.
fantastic effect in such a short time well done.
i think you will get a lot ore responses when strictly/Xfactor finnish!

I'm waiting to take my eldest into town so she can celebrate her 18th .....oh my.... wont sleep till she is safely back in her bed.

I'll keep comeing back to your lovely photos.

11 Sep, 2010

 

Hello, have just been admiring your garden - I'm trying to attempt something similar on about 1/20th of the scale! I've left a question about growing ornamental grasses in the questions section just now and - if you can find the time - I'd be grateful for your advice. Do you find the Pennisetum Villosum is ok over the winter or do you plan on replanting every year??

I'm off to look at more of your photos now! :)

11 Sep, 2010

 

Anyone watching Strictly/X-factor won't understand grasses! Pennisetum is surprisingly tough, is it not? I've used it much more recently, with great success in gardens I've built, especially on the free-draining chalk around Winchester. For such a delicate autumn show, it's a performer. Phil J

11 Sep, 2010

 

Lubeelu, would help to know just how much space you have to play with. The Pennisetum villosum is reputedly hardy down to about -5, but we've had no problems here with it in 12 years, probably best with very good drainage. Even if the plant dies right down like it did this winter, it usually shoots again from a live root or the odd self sown seedling. Stays evergreen in mild winters, at least down here on the south coast.
Hi Phil, yes they are really tough plants, especially the alopecuroides and orientale cultivars.

11 Sep, 2010

 

It's nice to see this blog on grasses, Bluespruce. You've created a bountiful display in your front garden. I'm new to GOY and haven't developed the back garden yet and I'm leaning more and more to rock/gravel combos with container planting and/or in-ground so grasses may be in my plans.

I like the small shrubs/evergreens too. Thanks for a good blog.

11 Sep, 2010

 

Certainly looks spectacular Blue after so short a time....I love the way grasses bring movement into a garden, and the curved path brings everything together...really lovely! Now do I remember someone was going to send me a grass?????.....:o))

11 Sep, 2010

 

That is absolutely fabulous Bluespruce! Excellent pics of the progress in the garden...and what a lovely place to live with all those trees around you etc. I also love the grasses. I think I love your style because it is so different to mine..so well-planned and spectacular all year round colour! Thank you for sharing, I thought you had gone for ever! ;))

11 Sep, 2010

 

Yes I was Jane, still have it here, and when I look at it ...I think of you! lol x
now I'm back in the saddle so to speak, I'll look up your address and send it this time ...Jane Doe , I think your name is, isn't it! ? ;)))

11 Sep, 2010

 

Nineteen comments, Bp, nearly there for you !

11 Sep, 2010

 

Hi Karen - thanks, and not gone for ever! .....It's not too bad here, but what you don't perhaps see is the very busy, noisy main road (A350) that runs adjacent to the property....if you like my style, you wanna see me on the dance floor at a Northern soul allnighter ....just kidding! ha ha lol x

11 Sep, 2010

 

Lol!! Northern Soul allnighter eh? Go for it Bluespruce!!

11 Sep, 2010

 

You counting Shirley lol :) x

11 Sep, 2010

 

Ha...ha....still the same ole Blue.....good to see you back...:o)))

11 Sep, 2010

 

What happened to that gorgeous profile pic of you Jane...not quite the same talking to a puppy :))) x

11 Sep, 2010

 

Lol....you old charmer......she is a sweetie though Blue, spotting all over the grass and running through the plants like its a forest....could you want anything more....:o)))

11 Sep, 2010

 

Blue, I don't know your age but my OH has found a new TV channel called Vintage and he's revelling in the music of his youth ( yawn) !

11 Sep, 2010

 

Oh dear, just realised it's aimed at the over-50's so I may have just insulted you ! : o (((((

11 Sep, 2010

 

No, you haven't insulted me Shirley....you could only do that by telling me 'Lady In Red' by Chris de Burgh was a great song ha ha lol x

11 Sep, 2010

 

Chris de Burgh? Whose that???....:o)

11 Sep, 2010

 

You kidding Jane ? x

11 Sep, 2010

 

Brilliant, I'm with you on that, detest that song too ! Currently listening to a very old Doobie Brothers CD, that's one of my music tastes. 21 comments now so you can smile at your success !

11 Sep, 2010

 

Never satisfied Shirley....and the Doobie Brothers are a top! group lol

11 Sep, 2010

 

Doobie Bros now your talking, faves here too.....and all the old Eagles stuff....heaven...:o))

11 Sep, 2010

 

Time you were tucked up in bed Jane...don't you think ?

11 Sep, 2010

 

We saw The Eagles at Wembley a few years ago, up in the gods and they looked about 6" tall but the concert was brilliant !

11 Sep, 2010

 

O.K. then, BFN....:o((

11 Sep, 2010

 

stay if you want :)

11 Sep, 2010

 

ZZZZZZZZZZZZ.................

11 Sep, 2010

 

hi steven nice to see you and love the new area, it looks like its been there alot longer, must be lovely to sit on the bench and just watch the grasses swaying in the summer breeze ;o))

13 Sep, 2010

 

Hi Sandra, nice to see you again too! ...and yes it's a good place to sit on a warm September afternoon with a nice cup of tea...and you are right, there's something quite magical in being able to sit and watch all the grasses swaying in a gentle breeze :0))) x

13 Sep, 2010

 

love those grasses looks very romantic

13 Sep, 2010

 

more than a breeze here today steven, almost got blown into my pond rearanging some plants lol,think i`ll come and have a cuppa with you and watch the grasses sway ;o)) x

14 Sep, 2010

 

Sandra.....you know you're welcome anytime ;0)) x

14 Sep, 2010

 

aww thanx steven ;o) x

14 Sep, 2010

 

Oooooo! Just seen this Blog, glad I found it lol.
What a lovely calm looking garden you landscaped there Bluespruce, I love all the differant types of grasses you have there. :o))))))

31 Oct, 2010

 

Thank you Ladyessex, it's appreciated :)

31 Oct, 2010

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