Hillside Plantings

16 years ago

Now that I think we're finished planting this season, thought I'd share the progress we've made on our back hillside this year. Pic 1 was taken October 2006. Pic 2 was taken October 2007.

Our goal is to develop a mixed conifer screen at the top of the hill using mostly species trees, which will eventually work it's way down the hill and around both sides of the hillside. We're trying to create more color/shape/textural interest in the island beds in front of the screen. I plan to work in a few more deciduous trees & shrubs for spring/fall color, some grasses, and perhaps a few perennials that aren't too high maintenance. (I already have enough high maintenance perennial borders around the house.) The plantings are being placed above and below a wide grass path that runs from right to left to accomodate access to an equipment shed to the right of the picture. Some of the trees below the grass path will be incorporated into beds eventually.

It's still a bit disjointed and needs LOTS of tweeking, but we feel like we got off to a good start this year, especially keeping all these new trees watered through the drought. I'm looking forward to having a more interesting view out our back windows this winter.

Thanks to everyone on the Forum for all the inspiration and education. You're a great bunch of folks! I'm sure our hillside would still be a bunch of ugly grass without the inspiration I receive here.

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Comments (7)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
well .. i guess i know why you haven't been posting this summer ...

did my golden come to visit.. and get his behind in your picture.. lol....

whats the blue fuzzy stick ... middle.. off to the right ... you doing some zone pushing with something i cant grow????

and what the green fuzzy in front of it ... man you are testing my bifocals....

any chance you might like to post some individual pix of your stuff ....

super work .. you moved some big stuff this year... are you ready for your winter rest

ken
kim_dirtdigger
Original Author
16 years ago
Hi Ken. Yep, definitely doing some zone pushing. And I'll be holding my breath through the winter. The fuzzy blue stick in the center is a Cedrus atlantica; the fuzzy green stick in front of it is a Cedrus libani 'Glauca pendula'. There's also a Cedrus atlantica 'Pendula' in the bed in the forefront of the picture. We have another Atlas Cedar, more protected, that has come through 2 winters, and have recently found a couple larger ones growing in our area that have obviously been around several years, but are also pretty protected. The Cedrus libani came from a nursery 2 1/2 hrs south of us, in Z6, and went through last winter B&B in a mulch pile, and looked great this spring when we bought it.

I've got individual pics of some of the plants, and will try to photo the rest and get them posted soon. Just got an order of 10 1 gals from Stanley and got them planted this weekend.

Thanks Ken. It's been a fun summer. It will be nice to kick back this winter knowing we got a good start on this long term project, rest our aching backs, and plan for Spring orders!!
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dcsteg
16 years ago
Hi Kim,

Looks like you are well on your way to having a nice garden setting . I especially like the lay of the land and everything you have done.
I'll be looking forward to seeing individual photos of your conifers.

I know what you are doing with all your spare time. You are hooked by the conifer syndrome that effects all of us on the forum. Not a bad habit. Enjoy.

Dave
karinl
16 years ago
Kim, it looks fabulous. I envy you the slope; my next property will NOT be flat!! I like the fuzzy sticks too, and if that is a three-trunked birch in the middle it will look fantastic against your conifer background. Mind you, I'd hate to see your credit card bill... :-)

Karin
kim_dirtdigger
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks Dave and Karin. We were very fortunate to find a great piece of property to work with, but it has been a challenge. We also love the slopes, except when pushing a loaded wheelbarrow uphill!

But learning about, searching out, acquiring, and nurturing the conifers has been such an amazing new journey. We're very happy to be victims of ACS.

Karin, the white clump tree is a Quaking Aspen which is struggling. It leafs out nicely in the spring, but struggles in the heat and humidity of summer here.

Thanks for your responses. -- Kim
dansgrdn
16 years ago
Wow Kim, looks like you've been busy! Definately a dramatic change from last year's photo. I especially like the location and shape of the three beds in the center of the slope. Keep up the good work and put me on the list of people who want to see individual closeups of your new conifers, too. Thanks for posting the photos, Dan
Luv My Conifers
16 years ago
Looks great, Kim! Thanks for sharing! I can't wait to see some close-ups too! Laura

Hillside Plantings

Comments (7)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

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Hillside Plantings

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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

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