Dodie’s Alabama Garden – FineGardening

My identify is Dodie. I’ve been gardening in North Alabama for 15 years. Our city property is positioned in a historic neighborhood in Decatur. It had an exquisite spine of plantings created by the householders within the mid-80’s. We moved to pretty Zone 7b in 2008 from Zone 9 (Houston space), and I completely reveled in it!

Though the backyard has been uncared for for years, Japanese magnolias (Magnolia liliflora, Zones 5–8), stellar magnolias (Magnolia stellata, Zones 4–9), oakleaf hydrangeas (Hortensia querculifolia, Zones 5–9), native dogwood (Cornus florida, Zones 5–9), American boxwoods (Buxus sempervirens, Zones 5–8), magnolia grandiflora, and large-leaf magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla, Zones 5–8) have been in good situation and offered the inspiration and framework for our backyard renovation. The previous homeowners additionally planted a privet hedge alongside each side of the yard fence, which has grown into small bushes over time. They created an ideal cover for azaleas (Rhododendron ‘Pink Ruffle’ and ‘George Tabor’, Zones 7–10), which have been planted a yr after we moved into the home.

The gardens have been an ongoing work in progress. They’re my playground, my health club and my sanctuary. Final yr we eliminated what little garden was left within the again, increasing the beds and making a brick driveway, bubble stones, stone benches and comfortable lighting all through the backyard. We additionally minimize three ‘Inexperienced Large’ arborvitae (thuja ‘Inexperienced Large’, Zones 5–9), which resulted in loads of area for brand new shade vegetation. i added hosta (hosta ‘Golden Tiara’, Zones 3-8) and heuchera (Heuchera ‘Dale’s Pressure’, ‘Catching Fireplace’ and ‘Carnival Rose Granita’, Zone 4 – 7). Within the sunny areas, I added baptism ‘Blueberry Sundae’ (Zone 4 – 9), oriental lilies (Lilium ‘Casa Blanca’, ‘Stargazer’ and ‘Presidente’, Zones 4–9) to the present mixture of Knock Out roses (Pink ‘Pink Knock Out’, Zones 5–9), ‘Rose Glow’ barberry (Berberis thunbergii ‘Rose Glow’, Zones 4-8), daylilies (Hemerocallis fulva ‘Keanso’, Zones 3–9), tall backyard phlox (Phlox paniculata, Zones 4–8) and sweetspire (itea ‘Little Henry’, Zones 5–9). I really like the explosion of pinks and oranges in early summer time! Canna Lilies ‘Australia’ (Canna ‘Australia’, Zones 7–10 or like a young lightbulb) are like purple exclamation factors in sunny areas.

Two pictures present an outline of the backyard in winter. The opposite pictures principally present mid to late spring and early summer time views. I am unable to wait to see how a lot the brand new vegetation have grown. I hope hostas and heucheras fill within the gaps. My objective this yr is so as to add late summer time perennials that may preserve their coloration via July and August and discover a low rising perennial to frame the beds and change the white impatiens I planted final yr. I do know that it doesn’t matter what I plant, it isn’t going to match what’s in my mind, so I at all times have one thing new to work with! Completely happy spring everybody!!

Spring flower of azaleas and tulips

Overview of again backyard in early spring with magnolias starting to bloom

Bigleaf Magnolia in bloom

That is the early spring backyard, however many stunning bushes and evergreens preserve it stuffed with curiosity all yr spherical.

An explosion of summer time coloration from daylilies, phlox, lilies, roses and extra

New plantations getting established and already trying nice

One other view of the brand new plantings of their spring bloom

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