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10 June Favorites

Magnolia 'Kay Parris' With so much going on in the garden in June, it is hard to choose only ten favorites. I challenged myself and have done just that. These are plants that look good around the midway point in June, specifically from June 15-20.  I begin with Magnolia 'Kay Parris'. Believe it or not, having spent the majority of my life in the South, I never grew a magnolia. They are emblematic of the South, where magnificent specimens grace old plantation homes and stately homes in older neighborhoods. I always thought of magnolias as huge trees, not suited to a small garden, but things have changed, and more varieties are now available that are not supposed to grow as large.  We now have two magnolias in our garden, both of which were added recently. When one of the old photinias that line our back property line died, it left a gaping hole. I had been looking at magnolias at the nursery and decided a smaller one might make a good backdrop and create a good privacy s...
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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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