I enjoy experimenting with microclimates, but it can get expensive. Years ago, when our family purchased this property, most of it was tastefully and naturally landscaped. It didn't take a lot of effort to settle into this house and garden--actually, the garden is what sold me on this place.
But, thankfully, there were a few garden "rooms" that required a little attention--giving me a chance to add my own touch. One of them is difficult to describe ... but I'll try:
It's an internal corner plot, under an eave, facing south and west. It's shaded from the sun entirely in the morning, it gets dappled shade/sun during the midday, and then the hot afternoon sun bakes it from about 2 p.m. to sunset. Being under the eave, it gets very little rainfall--mostly from the wind blowing precipitation into the little corner. The front of the plot is bordered by low-growing Forsythia shrubs, whose future is questionable (that's another post).
My first attempts at planting in this corner were completely unsuccessful. I can't even remember all the plants I tried. Then I tried some Daylilies, and they did quite well--at least the ones that weren't entirely under the eave.
About two months ago, I decided to experiment a little more. Anything planted directly in the ground was destined to fail, for lack of precipitation and sun--because the area would be shaded by the Lilies and the Forsythias.
Finally, I had a light-bulb moment! How about trying succulents in pots? I told the fishman about my plan, and he found me three matching clay pots of varying heights. All three had small holes in the bottom, and I added rocks; then filled the pots with a mixture of soil, sand, and perlite, to ensure adequate drainage.
I purchased several plants, and I was incredibly excited to have my very first succulent garden! (I've grown various Sedums over the years--but never a garden devoted entirely to mixed succulents.)
Of course, as with most first attempts, this garden was not entirely successful. Most of the plants survived, but two are now mere memories: Armeria maritima and Sempervivum 'Skirockii.' Of course, I don't know for sure, but I think the Armeria might have died for lack of consistent sunshine. And here's the problem with the Sempervivum:
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| See the holes in the leaves? |
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| Who was digging in this pot? |
Yes, you are correct: chipmunks! They were digging in the pots and chewing on the plants! For such cute little critters, they can inflict a lot of plant damage! I tried hot Pepper repellent and Garlic--both of which seemed to attract the nasty little cuties even more.
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| Time to scare away those pesky chipmunks! |
This motion-activated croaking toad was a cute addition to the garden. But he can't get wet and must be removed from the garden during a heavy downpour (we've had a few of those this summer).
The only thing that seemed to keep the chippers away longer than a few hours was crushed Marigold flowers and seeds--sprinkled among the plants. But that was only a temporary fix.
Then I thought, how about adding some Cacti? Wouldn't the prickly spines discourage digging? I knew some Cacti are native here, and I watched a video program about how other species are cold-hardy and can survive our winters. Perfect for outdoor potted plants!
So, I ordered two Hedgehog Cacti, Brittle Prickly Pears, and (believe it or not!) an Agave, from
Cold Hardy Cactus:
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| Echinocereus caespitosus |
I'll keep you posted; fingers crossed. Perhaps I've found a good solution to this strange and challenging microclimate? I might even try to plant the seeds from the now defunct S. 'Skirockii.'
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| Sempervivum 'Skirockii' -- sadly blooming before its demise. |
Maybe it will live, through its "offspring," to see another day.
