Sunday, May 1, 2011

front yard garden: always a work in progress

Sometimes these things just hit you. Why do we keep ignoring these overgrown, not-entirely-healthy rosemary plants? Suddenly, I'm almost blinded to the cheery larkspur and big pot of white bougainvillea because all I see are rosemary monsters.
Vitex tree is blooming and larkspur from MSS are hanging on.
I'm a big fan of rosemary, but not when it gets huge and woody and diseased. Although it's only 60 degrees (F) right now, it was 93 (F) this afternoon when DH and I removed the offending rosemaries.
before: huge rosemary in the middle on the left and mid-right in the sidewalk
after: both big rosemaries removed
Ahh! Full sun blank slate. I'm thinking I might just put a few Blackfoot Daisies on the right along the sidewalk to mask the ugly underbelly of that santolina. I'm not at all sure what to put on the left. Another plumbago? Something in a dark green?

Earlier this morning, I harvested several quarts of shallots and about a quart of "Tavera" delicate, (maybe) stringless green beans--yippee! Good thing we're big fans of both! I'll admit that washing and preparing the shallots is kind of a pain. The green beans, however, are easy.
shallots and "Tavera" green beans
Yesterday I harvested several quarts of "Contender" green beans, which are bigger than the Tavera, and sauteed them (in olive oil) with lots of chopped onions, some minced garlic, and canned diced tomatoes. I let that mixture simmer for close to an hour, adding a little honey, salt, and pepper. It turned out great, including today's leftovers.

I'd love to hear any suggestions for the new open spaces in the front yard garden. I don't mind putting a bit of trailing rosemary back in, but I don't want it to be the main focal point.

4 comments:

Nellie from Beyond My Garden said...

I agree with you. I have a spot under my bedroom window with some nice blooming flowers in it but also a thick growth of weeds. I think because it isn't part of my "garden" and I see it every day, I become accustomed to the weeds, no longer seeing them.
nellie

Iris said...

Nellie--Glad I'm not the only one to experience this phenomenon. Bought some white and purple salvias today to try out in the new spot on the left. Can't wait to plant them tomorrow!

khaki said...

I was going to suggest the salvias!!! Good choice I think. Can't go wrong with those I don't think. Very jealous of your beans and shallots. I just started a tomato garden with three kinds (small med and large), basil and jalapenos. Haven't dared much else- but I have already had about 10 of the sweet 100's and made a couple things with pesto. Can't wait to see the pics with the salvia in.

Iris said...

Kacky--Thanks! I got three Rhea (same as "Victoria"?) salvias, five (shorter) Snow Nymph salvia coccineas, and five Silver Dragon (variegated) liriopes, which will probably need to stay closer to that Live Oak shade. I'm going to hide the ratty side of that santolina by the sidewalk with a few Blackfoot Daisies.

I encourage you to try the "Contender" bush beans next fall--they're really easy. I used seed from Botanical Interests. Good luck w/your tomatoes, basil, and jalapeno! I have some of those going, too. I love how sweet and hardy the little Sun Gold tomatoes are. Cheers!