Evolution of a Crocus Garden

[Paul T]

Howdy again All,

The penthouse went onto the Crocus garden this morning, so I've taken pics.  I'll try to take some pics this afternoon in a different light as well, to show how the layout looks.  I'm not sure you can still really see the Acer planted in the back corner.  I've also taken pics from the right and left sides if anyone is interested in me posting them?

The penthouse level won't have any baskets in it.  At the moment it has some Calostemma purpurea and a Lycoris elsae planted in there to see how they go.  I'm hoping the root run depth will allow the Lyrcoris to keep it's roots moist down deep despite the summer "dry", and I think it should work out OK.  If it flowers successfully it'll be spectacular there and there should be a bit of afternoon summer shade which it should like, while still getting plenty of sun in the morning etc.

As you can see the lower level has started to be covered over with sand in part, and once I got and get a couple more bags the rest will be done.  I still have a couple of spots in the front shaded corner for those Crocus which will take extra moisture once I have confirmed which ones they are.  3 different Anemone blanda are now planted there in their baskets.  Space for about a half dozen more things on the lower level and that's full, then to complete the middle layer.

[Katherine J]

It is going to be very nice, Paul. Wouldn't it be easier to start at the top level?

[Paul T]

From a filling point of view it was much easier to go from the bottom up.  Once you work out the level of the bottom step you can then make the second step and partially fill it in.  As you plant the baskets into the bottom though you are digging out a lot of the base level, so it goes into the second level to fill it up.  I didn't acutally add any extra soil other than a bag of recycled potting mix to get from the last pictures to the one I just took.... as I dug the holes for each basket those contents wer put up into the next level.  If I'd built the whole thing complete thn started planting from the top level down I would have ended up with enough soil to probably fill a third of another garden.  The baskets I am planting I am actually filling with fresh potting mix and sand (half and half) so that there is no danger of any other bulbs being in the basket with them.  That is why every time I add a new basket there is the same volume of soil from the garden being displaced.

I'm not sure I have described that well enough to understand?

[Lvandelft]

Right so seems to me the best way too, Paul.

Wouldn't it be easier to start at the top level?

As you see Kathrine, older people have learned to think first before starting work. 

[Paul T]

Luit,

I'm hoping you're just joking and not actually putting down Kathrine as a "younger person"?    You see, from her profile Kathrine is 37, and I'm only 38.  I'd hardly call that qualifying me for an "older" tag?  Besides which, in my case it was probably a sheer accident!  Normally I don't plan ahead very well!!    I probably would have gone ahead and built the whole thing first before planting anything, except that I had Crocus that were well and truly waiting to be planted.  As soon as I put the first basket in the ground I could see how I was going to have to work it.  As it is I am still going to have a bit of soil left over at the end I think, as I have everything pretty much levelled now, but still have to put the baskets in the second level.  The top level (which I'm referring to as the Penthouse as it has the best views etc.  ) can absord some of that extra soil, but I am guessing I'll be adding the leftovers soil somewhere else in the garden, or maybe into a polystyrene box where I am planting something specific so I know if any volunteers come up in the recycled mix.  I'm "trying" to keep everything pure, but we'll see if it all works out. 

[Katherine J]

I'm not sure I have described that well enough to understand?

Absolutely clear, Paul.

[Lvandelft]

Ooooh Paul I am very sorry  , maybe I was more talking from the view of myself
but you always sound so wise that I thought you must at least be as old as I am.
Next time I'll have a look at the avatars first. 

[Paul T]

Luit,

I'm obviously good at faking maturity then!!    Obviously you haven't read any of my jokes.... they're all pretty immature!!     

Don't be concerned at all, I'm not offended or anything (I was concerned by all those embarrassed faces lines up in your message, so I thought I had better check).  I got an extra chuckle out of it when I realised the similarity between Kathrine and my ages.   

[Katherine J]

I got an extra chuckle out of it when I realised the similarity between Kathrine and my ages.   

But I started gardening about 5 years ago, so, from this point of view you are much older, I think.

[Paul T]

Kathrine,

Yeah, from that point of view I definitely am.  I think I was around 6 when I started, with a little corner in my Dad's veggie garden out on our farm.  I didn't grow any vegetables but rather perennials and annual flowers.  By the time I was an early teenager I had a collection of more than 50 different types of ferns, and assorted phases since then.  At 30+ you were a later gardening starter, but it is never too late where gardening is concerned!!!!  And we can all pick up so much knowledge up here in the SRGC forums.... so many wonderfully knowledgable people we can learn from.  I know I'm seeing and learning new stuff every time I'm up here.

[Paul T]

Howdy All,

Pics taken this morning of the new crocus garden.  First bud is up, at the front of the second level (almost dead centre in the pic) but not really visible in this shot.  I've posted a pic of the bud in the March Crocus thread.

The penthouse level will remain sand-free for the moment, as I am unsure whether I will put anything else in there.  The clump of longer leaves is Moraea polystachya, a dwarf form that only grows to a foot or so tall.  I have put a couple of different things here and there in the garden to give some small splashes of different plants in there.  The dark patch on the bottom level is where a single pot still need to be placed, so I haven't yet covered it with the sand "mulch".  I have shots from both sides if people are interested in seeing them.

[David Nicholson]

It's worked out very well Paul

[Paul T]

I think so.  I guess we'll see after this year's growth season and how everything flowers next year.  I must get out to the property and get some more small rocks to fit around the edges to soften it somewhat.

Thanks for the response.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

I have to agree with David, Paul ! It does look very promising and you're right, some scattered rock will make it look even more attractive - but so will the flowers !!! 

[Armin]

Paul,
well done - I'm anxious to see your first crocus pix