Tropical Garden

GARDEN PLANS

[THE PLAN] TROPICAL-LOOK GARDEN PLAN Make a bold garden statement with dramatic ﬂowers and foliage.

PLANT E 2 CHARTREUSE J 1 LILYTURF (Lirope SWEET POTATO muscari ‘Big Blue’) LIST VINE (Ipomoea Zones 5–10 batatas ‘Marguerite’) H K 1 MOSS ROSE Annual (Portulaca A 2 GOLDEN F 1 IVY GERANIUM grandiﬂora) Annual SPOTTED DEAD- (Pelargonium pel- NETTLE (Lamium tatum) Annual maculatum ‘Anne 1 PURPLE-LEAF Greenway’) Zones G CANNA (Canna x 3–8 genera lis) Treat as an B 1 FUCHSIA ‘TOM annual WEST’ Zones 7–1 G H 1 HARRY LAUD- C 4 RED-ORANGE ER’S WALKING STICK LANTANA CAMARA (Corylus avellana Annual ‘ Contorta’) Zones 4–8

D 2 VARIEGATED I 2 PURPLE-LEAF ENGLISH IVY SWEET POTATO VINE F (Hedera helix (Ipomoea batatas ‘Glacier’) Zones 5–9 ‘Blackie ’) Annual

E I

C LAYOUT DIAGRAM (each square = 6 in) D K J

swath of masonry or stone set even with the surrounding soil to act TIPS FOR INSTALLING as a mowing strip. Mulching: Mulch your garden after planting. Mulch conserves YOUR GARDEN moisture, cools the soil, and protects against water runof BEFORE YOU BEGIN After your bed is prepared, water it thoroughly and and erosion. Organic Preparation is the key to creating a garden that wait a week. This will allow weed seeds to germinate. mulches such as will ofer a lifetime of pleasure. Before you head Pull these seedlings or dig them back into the soil. Or shredded bark need to the nursery, review all garden plan materials. spray them with an herbicide. Follow the instructions to be topped of every Ask yourself the following questions: on the packaging, including the time to wait after couple of years as the application before planting. mulch decays. Mulches Do I have a suitable spot for this plan? such as crushed stone The layout diagram shows the dimensions for the PLANTING are more permanent, plan. In general, you can enlarge or reduce the If you have all of your plants on hand, keep them but they do not improve size of the garden by adding or eliminating plants, in their pots and set them out on the planting bed. your soil over time. although the character of the garden may change This will give you a preview of how the bed will look, if you alter the size dramatically. and allow you to make adjustments before digging CARE TIPS any holes. The frst season of Do I have the right growing conditions? growth is the most When you are satisfed with the placement, plant Check the plant list to see if the plan will do best in critical. Water thor- your garden from largest to smallest container (usually sun, part shade, or full shade. Be sure that the plants oughly every other day trees frst, then shrubs, perennials, and fnally annuals). are suited to your USDA Zone. for the frst two weeks, then give your garden Do I need to amend my soil? Tree-Planting Tips: Dig a hole that’s twice as about an inch of water Most plants thrive in moist, but well-drained soil. wide as the pot or root ball but no deeper. If the a week for the rest of If you have soil with lots of sand or clay, amend it tree is potted, loosen the soil slightly around the the season. The liberally with lots of organic matter, such as compost. roots, then place the tree into the planting hole. For balled-and-burlapped trees, loosen the burlap following year, you Is my soil’s pH and fertility okay? after the tree is in the hole. Cut away as much of can let nature take its If you’re unsure, inquire about testing at your county’s the burlap as possible. When the tree is in place course, supplementing extension service ofce. Follow the recommendations and straight, fll the hole one-third with soil, tap frmly dry periods with deep that come with your test results. If you need to correct to make good contact between roots and soil, then watering. You should the soil’s pH (how acid or alkaline the soil is) or fertility. water. Repeat twice more until the hole is flled. also be diligent about Water the tree thoroughly by letting a hose run weeding your bed CREATE THE BED slowly for 30 minutes. during the frst year. As To lay out your bed, use a garden hose to mark the plants mature and the outline. (Or sprinkle four along the hose for Shrub-Planting Tips: Plant shrubs in a hole that’s fll in, there will be fewer a more temporary mark.). Using a sharp spade, dig about twice the diameter of the root ball. The top opportunities for weeds along the marked line to set the edge of your bed. of the root ball should be slightly above the surround- to grow. A thick layer If the spot is currently covered by lawn, remove the ing soil level. Backfll with garden soil, taping frmly of mulch will also help sod using a straight-edged shovel or sod cutter. To to ensure a contact between soil and roots. Water keep weeds in check. make this easier, wet the area thoroughly, then use immediately by slowly running a hose at the shrub’s the shovel to cut the lawn into strips that are the base for about 20 minutes. Most plants will thrive width of the shovel and about 3 feet long. (Sharpen with minimal care. If the edge of your shovel frequently with a fle.) Use Perennial- and Annual-Planting Tips: Set these you need to prune the shovel to pry up and roll back the strips of sod. plants in soil at the same level they were growing trees or shrubs to Once the sod is removed, loosen the underlying soil in the pot. Firm the soil around each plant with your maintain their shape or with a shovel or a power tiller. hands, then water thoroughly. size, do it in late winter before growth has Regardless of how you prepare your bed, use this FINISHING TOUCHES started. The exception opportunity to mix in organic matter (such as compost, Edging: Beds and borders are easier to maintain to this general rule is peat moss, or rotted manure) and loosen the soil at if they’re edged to keep surrounding grass or weeds spring-fowering shrubs least 6 inches deep. Don’t mix in fertilizer unless your from growing in. Choose plastic, metal, stone, or like lilacs that should be soil test shows a need; in general, excessive amounts brick—whatever you prefer.If you have lawn around pruned immediately of fertilizer will do more harm than good. your bed, consider adding a 6- to 12 inch-wide after fowering.