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Cottage Gardens

new mailbox flower bed

14 years ago

I've been working steadily in the yard the past couple of weeks and thought I'd show y'all my new mailbox flower bed. To kill the grass, last fall I used many layers of newspaper on part of the area and black plastic on the other. I wanted to see who effective both techniques were. Turns out that they were equally effective.

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That forsythia bush was the only thing there before I planted the new plants. I love how it turned out and plants seem to be thriving there. Can't wait to see how it fills out!

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You can read more about it, including a full list of plants, here.

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Comments (10)

cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
14 years ago
Nice job! It looks lovely and will only get better.
organic_kitten
14 years ago
That is awfully pretty and you will enjoy it for years! Love it!
kay
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imagardener2:...good point!...ixnay on the eezbay...LOL stuartwanda: great idea on jasmine...I love it!...but, unsure if that would attract bees? (don't want a disgruntled mail-person...LOL!) goldenpond: LOVE the mailbox and the door!!! That's not stenciling on the door? You rock! :) Yep...that's green sea glass...I chose the green paint color for the post based on the glass...I figgered it would bring out the sea glass color. I hope no one damages or tries to take my new mailbox. Yesterday I saw 4 different cars either slow down or stop to l@@k...I'm gonna be a nervous wreck...HAHAHAHA!!!!!! I'm a bit worried that an over-zealous mail-carrier might break off the driftwood "flag"...wonder if it's even legal to have a flag like that?????
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Dulahey, I'd think of the planter boxes as essentially a large pot that you want to plant with perennials since you probably don't want to redo every year. Presumably you'll be watering these. I would plant several items in each side, ones that are tolerant of both sun and partial sun, since you have two different exposures. I definitely agree there should be symmetry in the plantings. I believe I've heard the rule of thumb when planting pots is to choose a Thriller, a Filler, and a Spiller. So a wow plant, a background plant, and a trailing plant. For your situation, here's what I'd think about doing... Prairie look: Thriller: I'd think of something that will bloom all summer long, maybe may night salvia, or a coreopsis like moonbeam that you don't have to deadhead. Annuals would fulfill this requirement, too, but you'd need to plant every year. Filler: a perennial grass that will give form during the winter, my favorite is ponytails grass (aka mexican feather grass) or even a hardy rosemary that will stay green year round Spiller: golden moneywort is evergreen or semi-evergreen, depending on our weather, and has a nice lime color. Cottage look: Thriller: maybe a climber that you train over the mailbox? several types of evergreen clematis or maybe carolina jessamine would be cool. Filler: dwarf nandina bush for year-round interest, or a small evergreen like a soft-touch holly or a dwarf boxwood Spiller: Creeping phlox has great spring flowers and is also semi-evergreen.
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I don't live in your area so I can't give suggestions on what to plant. I am however a mailcarrier and would like to tell you to keep in mind the area that the carrier pulls up to------you should be able to tell by where the area is worn. We do need to get close!!!!! Oh, and yes I just love all the bees, wasps , spiders and such that love to surprise me. Let me just say all carriers are used to it and it is basically a part of the job ( have been stung many times!!! ) The main thing that you should keep in mind is don't plant anything that will grow directly up and around the box. Many people plant clematis in my area which are beautiful near a box. If you plant a vine type plant PLEASE give it a trellis behind the box to grow on. It helps keep the bees and such a distance from us and also does not cause problems getting in and out of the box once it is full grown. As a carrier I can tell you I really enjoy pulling up to a box that is landscaped as it gives me something to enjoy on my drive-----even if I do have to deal with a few critters, but then again I am a gardner too so the view for me overrides the critters. Ask your local nursery for suggestions ------- and pay attention to what others have in your area around their boxes to see what is growing for them. Good luck and happy planting!!!!
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Comments (11)
After reading the above suggestions, one thing I noticed wasn't mentioned is Alchemilla mollis/Lady's mantle. I have it growing in both sun, part sun & full shade. In my slightly acidic sandy loam, it performs essentially the same wherever I've planted it. I like it for the foliage primarily--it's a nice contrast to other perennials. I've never watered any of my plants and in my experience that hasn't been a factor in their performance.
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Annie
14 years ago
Oh yes, that will be lovely.
What color are the dayliles?
Peter Rabbit is very cute sitting in there.
~Annie
lavender_lass
14 years ago
Beautiful garden and I love the roses. The rabbit statue is very cute :)
newyorkrita
14 years ago
Maybe add some annuals for this year while your new plants are still very small? Great idea, putting a garden around your mailbox.
scully931
14 years ago
So cute. Love the rabbit! He looks like he's waiting for the mailman.
midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
14 years ago
Yes, cute rabbit. Annuals to fill in is a good idea - gives you some instant gratification. Will watering be an issue? Otherwise, you could just broadcast some seeds.

Nancy.
catalinagrey
14 years ago
Oooo I love it! That buuny is too cute! I like the space between your plants - it looks nice.
Thyme2dig NH Zone 5
14 years ago
Your mailman is going to smile every time they deliver the mail. Wonderful job! I love the pine mulch.
fluffyflowers
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks y'all! I appreciate your sweet words :)

I slapped Mr. Bunny down there in time for Easter and thought I'd move him to the back garden afterward but you're right, he looks far too cute there to leave. I've got a thing for concrete statuary so I try to discipline myself by limiting their use to one per bed :)

I do like the annuals idea a lot but water in the heat of our Georgia summer will definitely be a problem. That bed is the farthest from the hose and the hose doesn't reach all the way to the street. But I'll give it a think and see what I can come up with. Thanks for the suggestion :)

Our mail lady drives nine hundred and forty two miles an hour down the street. Here's hoping she'll slow down to smell the roses! LOL Pine mulch is super cheap down here in Georgia so it's a pretty common mulch. But I do love how it looks too. Makes everything very tidy :)

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