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A Visit to Cistus Nursery

I rarely go to nurseries anymore since I work part-time at one and another reason being that I don't have much room for additional plants. When a garden fanatic runs out of room, the brain goes into overdrive, dreaming up ingenious ways to incorporate more plants. And another thing happens - a burning desire to obtain rare and unique plants. I've been moving plants around, a tricky process that has a domino effect. A plant is unhappy - it is getting too much shade or perhaps too much sun. There is a plant that did not get as large as you thought it would or it is just a slow grower and now it is hopelessly hidden behind a taller plant. Sometimes a plant is just a dud for reasons unknown (Rhododendron 'Golden Gate' anyone?). I find the plant in question a better home, but it means that another plant will have to be moved. And the merry-go-round continues to turn... However, for those plants that are to be discarded, a space opens up for a new one! I decided to move a Mou...
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Out With The Liriope


There are plants that grow really well here in the Pacific Northwest and then there are plants that grow really, really well. I've tried to be careful about the plants I've put into this garden but there are always those that you don't suspect will create a problem. In the case of liriope (also known as lilyturf or monkey grass), we used it to border the boxwood hedge in front of our house. There it increased in size pretty rapidly but it wasn't infringing on anything and I would just mow it down every spring.  

I brought home a few pots from the nursery last year and planted them along the border of the sidewalk in front of house. It is a northern exposure with tricky lighting - it is generally shady but begins to get sunnier as summer progresses. It is also a fairly damp area. A downspout from the gutters deposits rainwater here. I catch some of it in a shallow dish for the birds but there is a lot of runoff.

I noticed that the liriope has spread a significant amount in one year and when Michael suggested taking it out, I reluctantly agreed. He is a neat freak but I have to say our borders are weed free because of him. He relishes jobs like this and eagerly volunteered to do the deed. 

Just look at the roots!


Now there is room for more plants, which is exciting. I'm not sure what yet - maybe some Japanese Forest Grass since there is some near the front door and I love it. There is room though for some other plants as well.




Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Lisa at GreenbowJune 6, 2020 at 8:21 AM

    Way to go Michael! It is always fun to discover new territory to plant. I have a few lirope but they haven't done much over the years. This variety is variegated clumper. It doesn't get any love it just exists. I like the way it isn't fussy about soil etc. The rabbits eat it down every winter. I don't have to cut it back.

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  2. chavlinessJune 7, 2020 at 6:52 PM

    It's fabulous that someone else volunteers to do the hard work, and you are left with the fun task of picking new plant . Lucky you!

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