Front Garden Bed

We planted two, small Tonto Red Crape Myrtles to flank the front garden bed in the late fall of 2002. Within four years they were growing strong.

Same bed. Opposite view. We added this cherry tree in 2004. Now seven years later, it towers over the crape myrtles.

Directory of Wildflowers - Wildflowers - University of Illinois Extension

Directory of Wildflowers - Wildflowers - University of Illinois Extension:

Super wildflower catalog.

Soil - What's a Piedmont Gardener to Do?

In order for my plants to flourish, I've found that amending the soil and creating raised beds does the trick (plus regular watering). Here's my husband Peter putting the finishing touches on a new bed in our garden about five years ago. Soil containment is necessary. We prefer to use native rocks.

SOIL AMENDMENT:  Break up the red clay with a garden pitchfork and a sharp-edged shovel. In a wheelbarrow or a large container, throughly mix in equal parts of:

• compost - homegrown or bagged
• peat moss
• bagged garden soil

 If the garden bed is large, consider having "garden mix" dirt delivered. Add peat moss.

GARDEN BED: Remember to tamp down the soil layer by layer - either by walking on it or using a garden tool. When you're ready to put in the plants -

• dig out the soil in each spot
• mix in mushroom dirt
• add Plant-tone

Again, tamping down the soil is a critical step. Press the dirt close to the plant with your hands - sometimes I wear gloves. The purpose is to give the plant's roots full contact with the soil and to eliminate air pockets.

Muhly Grass in the Fall

When I first saw the soft pink grasses along the banks of the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden years ago, I knew I wanted to savor this color in my own garden. After the August heat has vanished, the shimmering pink muhly grass fronds open to capture the autumn afternoon sunlight.