Rockabye Garden

A few days ago, I went out to a friend's ranch to go rock hunting...but, but not for little rocks. I'm talking "Boone & Crockett" rocks! I'm in the process of creating a new xeriscape 'garden' in front of our house. It began by digging out a 12'x16' hole (2.5' deep); then it was filled with amended soil...mixed with native soil.

Before I could begin planting trees, shrubs and flowers, I had to first 'plant' my beautiful boulders that are covered with lichen in hues of orange and lime green. Anita's husband loaded my pick-up with two huge rocks and I also added several other large stones that will serve as the garden border. I'm about midway through the project -- need one more rock gathering trip to complete this part. I also need to extract a wonderful, old iron headboard from a ranch dump. It is very ornate and completely rusted. It will rest in the back corner (at an angle) of the garden and Morning Glories will climb all over it (I hope). 

In case you're interested in what I've planted thus far and will be planting, here is the list: Moonglow Juniper, Alberta Spruce, Chokecherry, Blue Chip Spruce (creeping), Limeglow Juniper (feathered branches, creeping), Autumn Spirea (pale green and plum foliage, pink flowers), Potentilla, Yellow Nine Barks, Climbing Rose (wild rose pink), Native Sagebrush and Yucca. Flowers: Russian Sage, Clump Dianthus, Gaillardia, Penstemmon, Batchelor Buttons, Painted Daisy, 3 varieties of Artemesia, Salvia, ornamental grasses and Hollyhocks up next to the house. This is southside exposure.

Here is Anita and my Rat Terrier. We were still in the hunting phase. After I get the Xeriscape garden done, next will be window boxes on the two windows on that side of the house. A friend made two large ones out of heavy barn-board for me. I'll put pale pink Million Bells and white Bacopa in them, which will result in a profusion of flowers spilling over the edges of the window boxes. They will set on very large antique harness hookes - once used to hang draft horse harness on. We've just completed the first coat of new paint on the house - barn red (with white trim)...which goes with the rest of the ranch outbuildings. I like the old-fashioned 'farm & ranch' color scheme. This is the year of our homestead's 'make over' which is way overdue. With all the changes that we're working on...re-fencing and dirt-work, these also will come: a new mud room addition, covered patio and car port. It will be wonderful when it is DONE!