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Cottage Gardens

Adding 8' to my potager :)

14 years ago

I'm adding 8' to my potager, which is amazing, since usually I'm having to make my gardens smaller! In this space, I'll have room to add two dwarf apple trees and some concord grapes.

I have a small island bed in front of the grapes, with a bird bath and some flowers. I was thinking of putting some burgandy/red peonies on the island (one on each side of the bird bath) and some white peonies in front of the grapes, behind the island. Both these peonies are pretty old, so I don't see them too often in catalogs, especially the white ones, which have slight burgandy markings on the tips. Very pretty :)

I need something to plant under the apple trees and in front of the grapes. I was thinking of using strawberries and purple hyacinth and other spring bulbs and maybe violets under the trees. Will they choke each other out? Also need something mixed in with the peonies, in front of the grapes. I'm only planting two concord grapes (which may not even work in my zone) but I really want to try.

No pictures yet, but I'm hoping to start rototilling this weekend...if it doesn't rain. I'm so excited to start this garden, which I've been planning all winter :)

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Comments (6)

tammyinwv
14 years ago
Wow!, thats great news. I am sure you will put it to great use. Cant wait to see pics. It really sounds nice.
tammy
Thyme2dig NH Zone 5
14 years ago
HOORAY!! It's always great to add more garden space! It sounds like you already know which peonies you are planting? Heirloom? What are their names? I have Blue Hill salvia and low sweet william planted with peonies and they look really nice together.

It sounds like it will be a beautiful new area for you! Have a great time!
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lavender_lass
Original Author
14 years ago
Tammy and Thyme- Thank you, I'm very excited about having more space!

Salvia and sweet william sound pretty. I also have some wild sweet william that I got this year (I think it's really a type of phlox) but it takes partial shade. Maybe under the apple trees :)
gottagarden
14 years ago
I'm very guilty of that, gradually, annually, expanding the garden beds. If I keep it up, they will all merge . . . .

Enjoy the new space!
memo3
14 years ago
LL, since it's a potager how about adding more vegetables? Cool season plants will last longer if they are in a bit of shade when the hot weather hits, so they would be perfect for planing under the apple trees. Some ornamental cabbage/kale would also be pretty there. It's great to have more space!

Gottagarden, Just throw down some stepping stone paths and let the gardens become one giant showcase. Your garden is fabulous!

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lavender_lass
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks everyone!

I am really excited about the fruit trees. I was talking to my mom this weekend and she said the same thing as Memo...more edibles.

The cabbage/kale is a great idea. I'm also hoping to put in some purple sprouting broccoli which also needs a little shade.

The peonies are ignored by the deer, so I'm thinking of putting those on the outside of the fence along each entrance. In the garden, I'm going to put small blueberry bushes and strawberries in front of the grapes. Perfect for snacking by the little ones who visit. I may put the tic tac toe back there too. On either side of the bird bath, I'm going to put a fairy rose. Mom and I each have one, but she wants to move hers, so she's giving it to me. It will look perfect...just the right size for the little bird bath :)

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