Hey, whatever happened to Jon's Rainforest Sunrise ?
Jon 6a SE MA
4 years ago
I had to move the original out front further because things were blocking the Sun and it was shrinking. It likes it here.
Top view
….and if one is good 3 are better. One of two (twins) that I thought for sure would not make it with all the snow and salting that they went through during the winter. They are tough
- Jon
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (19)
Jon 6a SE MA
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Need some design ideas for two beds
Comments (22)IMO, the issue is that with your current configuration you will still only have room for one plant deep, and most of the taller plants will also be wider and so won't fit in the bed. As far as I can see, you have quite a bit of room to expand the beds out into the lawn and still keep some lawn as a frame if that's important to you. You could put a 3' deep lawn-level bed (with edging to keep grass out) and move the plants you have currently in the bed out into the new bed along with some taller plants that either have contrasting foliage like Baptisia, or a long bloom time like Helenium. In the back bed, consider narrow but taller plants: more clematis on flat trellises (if you put in one each of type 1, type 2, and type 3 prune plants between them you'll have at least one blooming most of the season), Thalictrum/meadow rue, perhaps Japanese Iris, and Crocosmia 'Lucifer'. You could also have some semi-shade plants that will be shaded by taller plants in the front row. Having more depth to allow layers will really help give you more blooms, more foliage contrast, more variation in height, and better coverage for your home's skirting. Since your garden plants wouldn't be constrained to be lined up in a single row, I think you'll be much happier with its appearance. You can also add blooming but nonaggressive groundcovers in between the other perennials to add texture and bloom, such as creeping thyme in the sunnier areas and Veronica 'Georgia Blue' in either sun or shade areas. I also think that having some bulbs with small foliage like crocus will help give you additional early or late flowers without adding the mess of something like dying daffodil foliage to the garden....See MoreRainforest Sunrise--so glad I got it
Comments (16)This is an interesting topic. Love seeing the time line for different plants of the same variety. I have two of them now. One potted by itself, the other in a tub with 2 other hosta. Here is the one I got in 2012, standing alone. This June and then the one I got 2012 also, planted with other hosta. and then, I just gotta share this picture with you guys, you can appreciate what I see in it. The heart of Rainforest Sunrise. Makes me feel like Georgia O'Keefe.....sigh.......See MoreThe Leaves are Falling and Summer is Finally Here
Comments (39)Namaste Don, Nice Guardian Angels. I seem to have found a sweet spot for my Golden Meadows as it keeps it's variegation for at least a couple of months. The texture on Golden Meadows is great as well. I had another experience with monkeys in Malaysia. They came trooping along to the hotel on the power lines and were eating fruits (I assume) in the trees. I tried to call them over by whistling. One popped up on the veranda of my room and sat on the railing for a while and kept looking around me. I figured out it was eyeing the fruit basket inside my room. I went in and got a banana and the monkey took it and ate it. One by one I emptied the fruit basket. I took 2 rolls of film (long time ago). Another monkey came popping up and it was nasty. Hissing and opening its mouth. These were smaller monkeys so I just hissed back at it and it didn't want to take me on. After they gave up on any more fruit from me, they joined the pack and went over the roof to the inside courtyard and attacked the maid with her cart of linens and....fruit for the fruit bowls. She was whacking them with towels and when she went after one the others would jump in and steal some fruit. I have booklet of photos that I took on my balcony. None of the maid; I felt sorry for her. A quick look hasn't turned up any pictures, but they are around here someplace. This was back when I liked monkeys. I have the pictures of both Malaysia and Bali, somewhere, but I haven't put my hands on them yet. I certainly don't like the monkeys that live behind me. They seem to be hiding again. This little escapade is going to hurt their wallets a lot. Hopefully they will learn, but that is what I always hope. Jon...See MoreStuffs happening out here finally!
Comments (51)It was good to get a few things done - and still this wk yet. It'll be good to have a/c in the car, that'll help when it goes over 107 again. and the hair! yikes, it'd gotten soooo long and was always in my way. does the garden forum have much on desert planting? I'll have to take a look there. ML - I'll be doing xeriscape also. I took a class in it with my sister about 12 yrs ago. There are a good number of desert trees, bushes, plants to use. I need to start out with fast growing ones. probably desert willow (love those), Palo Brea, Eucalyptus and Jacaranda. the Jacaranda has beautiful purplish blooms - a former co-worker had one in his front yard and I loved it. It grew a LOT in just 2 yrs. I want another mesquite too but will probably plant that in the spring. I have to check the root growth on a few because of the conduit underground. I'll put out a few Oleanders - not my favorite, but colorful and drought hardy. a few more Bird of Paradise plants and bougainvillea. I want colorful! Several will be clumped but unfortunately a few will be loners (or I'll plant some flowering bush by them). I told dbf I wanted at least a spigot on each end of the mfg home. He did mention putting some irrigation pipes around too. If he'd do that in a few directions it'd help. 2 spigots would help a lot - I only have 1 out back now. probably only 1 tree will be difficult to water. most will be close to others I water. Want to put a tree on the westside of boy's pen also. I want an ironwood out front so I can see it from the kitchen and porch - that's slower growing tho. Organpipe cactus and prickly pear too! the prickly pear I can get cuttings from my sister. Somewhere around here is my desert plant book - I need to look for it! we do get water sometimes - usually during monsoon season. That's been rather iffy the past few yrs. We should have had rain by now. humidity is up, a lot of overcast days etc. got about 20 drops the other night. my steps were wet but you couldn't tell by the ground that even a drop hit it! sometimes we get lots of rain in the fall also. the first yr when I was putting in the conduit for electrical it rained so long and hard I came out in the rain to dig the trench. my then roommate/co-worker felt sorry for me so he came to help. it'd rained so much we gave up and headed back to town. I had to follow his van in my corolla to see how high water was to his tires - just to know if it was a dip I could make it thru. I thought we'd drown. the dogs' holes would become lakes out here! but I think total we get just 7-8 inches a yr. I do have 2 plastic barrels here - tho they will probably disintegrate when I touch them... will get something at the feed store to collect water. will have to see how it runs off of the 'new' roof. when I asked dbf why it didn't have gutters he looked at me like I was nuts. even with our little rain I think it should have something to direct the rain off of the roof. Someone just came out to get the dozer. both the dozer and water truck need worked on. they took the water truck a few nights ago. I'd never know they were back there if boy didn't raise a ruckus. He thinks those are our machines now. I did notice while out there that my head started hurting once in the humidity. ick....See More
nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
these pics will make you proud of your Rainforest Sunrise..mine are smaller..have cold damage(?) and one is reverting..I don't mind the solid green leaves..even with flaws I love my Rainforest Sunrise..
Jon 6a SE MA
4 years agonicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
gardencool
4 years ago
Esther-B, Zone 7a
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
windymess z6a KC, Ks
4 years ago
Beth (5b - SE-Michigan)
4 years agoI do love Rainforest Sunrise. Here is a shot of mine (center) with a few other plants. One of mine was trampled this spring but is also coming back - just smaller than last year.
nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis
4 years agogardencool
4 years agowindymess z6a KC, Ks
4 years agonicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis
4 years agoBeth (5b - SE-Michigan)
4 years agoJon 6a SE MA
4 years agowindymess z6a KC, Ks
4 years agonicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis
4 years ago
Related Stories
LANDSCAPE DESIGNNatural Swimming Pools: More Beauty, No Chemicals
Keep your skin and the environment healthy with a pool that cleans itself, naturally
Full Story
MOST POPULARThree Magic Words for a Clean Home and a Better Life
Not a natural tidying and organizing whiz? Take hope in one short phrase that can change your life forever
Full Story
MOST POPULARDesign Debate: Is It OK to Hang the TV Over the Fireplace?
In the spirit of the upcoming political debates, we kick off a series of conversations on hotly contested design topics
Full Story
DECLUTTERINGDownsizing Help: How to Edit Your Belongings
Learn what to take and what to toss if you're moving to a smaller home
Full Story
PETSSo You're Thinking About Getting a Dog
Prepare yourself for the realities of training, cost and the impact that lovable pooch might have on your house
Full Story
PETSHow to Help Your Dog Be a Good Neighbor
Good fences certainly help, but be sure to introduce your pup to the neighbors and check in from time to time
Full Story
INSIDE HOUZZA New Houzz Survey Reveals What You Really Want in Your Kitchen
Discover what Houzzers are planning for their new kitchens and which features are falling off the design radar
Full Story
REMODELING GUIDESBathroom Workbook: How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost?
Learn what features to expect for $3,000 to $100,000-plus, to help you plan your bathroom remodel
Full Story
MOST POPULARTrend Watch: 13 Kitchen Looks Expected to Be Big in 2015
3 designers share their thoughts on what looks, finishes and design elements will be on trend in the year ahead
Full Story
LIFERetirement Reinvention: Boomers Plot Their Next Big Move
Choosing a place to settle in for the golden years? You're not alone. Where boomers are going and what it might look like
Full Story
zkathy z7a NC