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Posted: Aug/30/2009 7:08 PM PST
I am new to this gardening thing but the small church I attend has 4 small flower beds that are 98% weeds. They just look horrible and I want it to reflect beauty not neglect. I would like to make them beautiful but need some help on the design. It has to be something that can tolerate full sun I mean full middle Tn sun. Also drought tolerate because it can only be watered twice a week wed and sun. Each bed has a varigated bush in one corner and the rest is weeds. One of the beds has a varigated bush and 4 large clumps of monkey grass. Another bed has a wild looking rose bush thingy? with those dark purple leaf flowers behind it almost completely overgrown with weeds the other two just bush and weeds. If taking pics would help I will do so. I would like to plant some evergreen ground cover in them all and maybe some mums and asters for some fall flowers. I just need some garden design wisdom, and I pray somebody can bless me with it. God bless you all. |
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Posted: Aug/31/2009 4:44 AM PST
Pictures would certainly help with the design. I would first pull all the weeds and put down plenty of mulch. That would be a great improvement if you didn't do another thing. Pruning whatever shrubs there are would be beneficial with the overall looks, too. Once you get the beds tidy, then you can think of adding fall flowers for punch. |
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Posted: Sep/01/2009 10:20 AM PST
I took on the task of planting some perennials on the road-side of our church - it is on the north side, so gets limited late afternoon soon - opposite problem you have, but also limited tending/watering will occur, so I needed easy plants - I put iris, coneflower, rudbeckia and spiderwort (tradescantia) all along the side, and some tulips for spring color. The plants need occasional weeding, but otherwise have tended themselves. And what's better, is they were all donated by either my gardens or another members' gardens! Good luck with your beds. |
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Posted: Sep/08/2009 6:52 PM PST
WEll I worked hard these last two weeks and got the beds halfway under control. I started out weeding them and mulching. Then I planted a ton of fall mums red in back, then orange then yellow in the front. They were the Lowes dollar ones but they look very good. I planed just some plant stone crop and mums in another. Trimmed that wildrose down threw in a hay bale and scarecrow in the 3rd one. We have a regular fall landscape going on now. I have divide up some monkey grass to fill in between the mums and put down some plastic and mulch to choke out the weeds in the 4th flower bed. I will post some pics thursday. I would like to plant some bulbs for spring does anybody know where to buy a bunch at a good price? |
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Posted: Sep/09/2009 11:23 PM PST
hi am newbie here! Why wont you research on the net...what latest design now! 
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Posted: Sep/16/2009 9:31 AM PST
HI, I know the problem with church gardens. Actually I designed a Memorial Garden for my former church in Massachusetts, that ended up being a wonderful place full of spirit. But that's probably way beyond what you are looking for. I'd love to see a picture of the church and the present beds so i could make some suggestions. Without that, it's hard to say anything more than pull it all out and start over. But that may be too radical! But that may be the best option unless something is save-able! Rod |
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Posted: Jan/05/2010 8:45 AM PST
 Hello!Three years ago I was upset by our mediaeval church having scarlet salvias en masse. as #I am on our church council, I had some clout, and could suggest I planned, donated, planted and cared for, a large flowerbed. Because the church`s last building phase was in the 16th century, I put forward the flower of the time. Referred to John Gerard`s Herball from 1597(available in facsimile) and made a list. I was astonished at how much in it was in gardens today. I began with mediaeval roses like Rosa alba,officinalis and versicolor(Rosamunda), and added acanthus, lavneder, herbs, campanulas, lilies, ancient varieties of tulip and natural daffodill, soapwort, basic Granny`s bonnets etc. We have just had our third summer. I am new to this site, so have not put up photographs yet. My new printer is plugged in but is yet to be installed. I hope this helps. Real perennials are best. Are you in America? There ar lovely books on trad American flowers, like those in the Jefferson garden at Monticello. The thing is to have a large plant in the middle and graduate down. Dump the variegated bushes.... Do get back to me. I hope to do a blog soon. as a 70 year-old Theology student I don`t have much time as I have o do assignments, but there is always time for gardening! All the best Kate |
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