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Plants surprise me every time. I know they grow and all, but holy moly, the lengths to which they go. When we removed our 12′ x 40′ section of mass planted juniper, I didn’t have an exact plan. Except for the little lower bed which spoke to me right away: Sedum Corner. And I am happy to report that in just its second season, it’s fabulous.

I must have take a picture of the shrubs planted in this space before, but darn if I can lay hands on it. It had a several spireas and azalaleas, which are perfectly fine–but not here.

When I say “we” removed, I mean Bill and Elliot. But I provided strong moral and editorial support.

The lower corner was cleared first--old Azaleas and ?
The lower corner was cleared first-of old Azaleas and Spireas. Note scalloped hoohahs above.

This stage of the project is always nerve-wracking. Getting to where you want to go entails a big impossible-looking mess. It reminds me of being in the dentist chair after Dr. Jeff has drilled a gaping hole my tooth. Dear dog, please don’t let anything go awry at this delicate juncture: I do not know how to fix it myself.

Another angle of Sedum Corner before.
Another angle of Sedum Corner before.

Since I knew what I wanted to do here, moral support included encouraging the guys to go faster. “No hurry, take your time.”

Those scalloped hoohahs mentioned above, I flipped them upside down and planted Dasylirion longisssimum and Agave bracteosa behind them. Flipped is better, don’t you think?

Doing a fine job, men, but if you could pick up the pace, that'd be great.
Doing a fine job, men, but if you could pick up the pace, that’d be great.

At this stage, I had every intention of tracking plant identifies–with one of my many failproof systems. This one is not bad. Imagine if I were consistent.

It's a good system to track plant identities.
It’s a good system for tracking plant identities.

I’m so happy when I take the time to do this, stellar photo or not.

Cracking good method, Gromit.
Cracking good method, Gromit.

And I just realized another benefit of taking photos of the tags, I’ve got some plants in there that have overtaken by others. I’ll have to dig those out and spread the wealth.

Jovibara sobolifera -- it's in there somewhere.
Jovibara sobolifera — it’s in there somewhere.

I admit that I’ve a wee tendency to cramscape. But look how few and far between these groundcovers seemed. Reasonable, no?

Seemed like prudent spacing when it went it.
Seemed like prudent spacing when it went it.

That looks like Scleranthus in the bottom left corner. I’ll have to take another look there too. The only certain casualty was the Agave ‘Silver Surfer’. Funny thing is, it never felt right in that bed. Still, I’d imagined that corner had some of the best draining in the whole yard; but that poor little Agave could not take incessant rain this past winter. (There are, however, a couple Agaves in the back garden, planted in soil far less drainy–and they seem to be doing fine. Hmmph.)

A mixed tray pack is not a bad way to go. From Little Prince Nursery.
A mixed tray pack is not a bad way to go. From Little Prince Nursery.

I had previously purchased sedums individually, but couldn’t resist this mixed tray found at Little Prince of Oregon.

Sedum mix adding girth.
Sedum mix adding girth.

The upper tier of Sedum Corner is bursting with with plant life too. I hear those Dasylirion get big. We’ll see.

Upper tier of Sedum Corner.
Upper tier of Sedum Corner.

At the far end of the above shot, Bolax gummifera. I LOOOVE this plant.

Bolax glumi
Bolax glumi

I don’t know where that little piece of granite came from, but I like how it’s insinuated its way in.

Colonization.
Colonization.

Plump juicy sedums. Sumptuous.

Delosperma congestum 'Gold Nugget' thinks it's a sea anemone.
Delosperma congestum ‘Gold Nugget’ thinks it’s a sea anemone.

Sedums winding their way through hill and dale.

A few bare space remain.
A few bare space remain.

Dividing and rearranging to ensue.

Sedum corner -- wider shot. That's the Sea of Juniper garden above.
Sedum corner — wider shot. That’s the Sea of Juniper garden above.

Cheers

Happy hour greens with apples, avocado, and balsamic dressing.
Happy hour greens with apples, avocado, and balsamic vinaigrette.

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