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| The Ridges |
You may have noticed I have installed a different header: it's about time we let winter have a rest! The two ridge gardens that form a large xeric bulwark to my garden are the most challenging and interesting section of it, I think. Visitors arrive at the top and look down at this unruly madness wondering what the heck is going on...
The ridges are scary most times of the year for most visitors--because they are so gray, dusty and prickly I suppose.
I have watered parts of them now and again--during dry spells (when plants really looked as thouygh they might perish)...not very often. Had I tried to develop water intensive gardens in this half of my gardens as well, my water bill would have been astronomical. So there is economic logic in xeriscaping!
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| A long time ago... |
The ridges have been the most dynamic part of my garden--mostly due to self-sowing of perennials and many annuals (and weeds!)...I think they've come a long way when you compare what is in the first frame (taken a week or so ago) and some of these other views over the past decade.
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| So daunting on a hot, sunny, summer day! |
I shall eventually find the image that headed this blog for most of the last year or two to append here--the ridges in winter. But I think these varied images of my scruffy, constantly shifting Kaleidoscopic (and Kelaidiscopic!) garden of steppic delights reveals that what this blog is about (much like our lives) is change, evolution and hopefully a little progress!
Great to see your fine and unique garden.
ReplyDeleteI love it. How thick is the gravel?
ReplyDeleteA half inch or so: it's been gradually eaten up by the soil below. Wish I'd used more!
ReplyDeleteI would have guessed more. I live in Western Colorado and no matter how xeric my plants are I still have to water at least once a week. I was hoping there was a magic amount of gravel that would help me cut down on the water.
DeleteYou have such a beautiful garden.
My best suggestion to cut down on water usage is to eliminate competition from tree roots and thin out the number of plants. I like to put pond liner under and around my garden beds to stop tree roots from invading. If the slope is created correctly this can be done while still providing drainage. In larger gardens I cut tree roots around the circumference with a spade. Finally, if the plants are spaced farther apart then they will take less water from the soil.
DeleteJames