Since moving to this house in November 2012, I’ve removed more permanent plants from the yard than I’ve added. The removals had outgrown their allotted space–and then some. Committing to replacements has been a challenge.

I decided to hold off before planting anything to study the space. I fixed drainage issues, improved the soil, and learned about microclimates within the yard through trial and error. Sticking to annuals keeps me from having to commit to anything more permanent.

My list of desirable plants significantly exceeds the available space. Faced with more than three or four options, I tend to just shut down. Consequently, there have been few permanent additions in the past twelve years.

Day lilies from my dad’s garden came with me when I moved and stayed in a big pot for several years. I planted a clematis beneath an existing trellis soon after moving in. Before Andy died, I added a tea olive he bought for his terrace garden but never planted.

Early in my gardening career, I got a package of windflower corms (Anemone blanda) as part of an assortment I ordered or free with a seed order. They’ve been a favorite spring flower ever since. They do great under shade trees and generally sprout, bloom and go dormant before the tree leafs out.

I treated myself to a new shrub for my birthday earlier this month–the variegated form of Daphne odorata. Fragrant blooms appear in February and March. It’s under a living room window I can open to enjoy the fragrance.

Despite all the improvements, annuals have consistently done poorly in several parts of the yard. Whether too sunny, too shady, or too dry, there are plants that will thrive in those spots. The trick is finding varieties I like among the contenders!

I’ll keep you posted. As always, thanks for stopping by.