Elm Tree Garden

The variegated elm arrived at Mooseys in 2001 as a rather large tree. Firstly it was planted in the grass by the woodshed. I laid a circle of stones to show the shape of the new garden, and dug. But gardens grow, and slowly they change...

The Elm Tree Garden - 2004

Almost immediately a well dug and planted garden appeared around it! Excess orange daylilies were given a permanent home, and the space between tree and fence was filled with several large grasses.

Some reject roses, a regulation red flax and a border edge of low perennials like Heuchera and Bergenia were added, and suddenly the new garden was organised.

The Elm Tree Arrives - 2001

The tree is forgiven for suckering, and the whole garden seems well balanced - as if it has always been here! A big thanks goes to my friend Tonia who asked if her variegated elm could find a good country home here - it certainly has!

Update - July 2010

Ah - some gardens change, some gardens stay the same. But trees grow, species daylilies spread and disappoint, and so the inherent 'style' of this small garden needs refreshing. The tree suckers are infuriating, and the rose Raubritter which grows lankly through the tree doesn't get enough sun. Nor do the few other roses, which I never really notice in summer, poor things. They (Reine des Violettes, The Alexander Rose, and a scrawny Mutabilis) deserve better. Ah well - this garden goes on the list of 'must-have' garden makeovers.

A little Later On in the Year...

Aha! The make-over has happened - I've cleaned the big grasses, chopped as many suckers as I can find, four mature, heavily-pruned hydrangeas are planted, and the shrub roses have been shifted into the sun at the edge. Now I'm waiting to see what colours they'll be. Nice work, Moosey.

New Hydrangeas

Oh - I almost forgot. The species daylilies are reprieved (their flowers are pretty doubles), and I've dug the edge ones out of the lawn. I thought that was a good idea...