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Swapping Huckleberries

Himalayan Honeysuckle ( Vaccinium glauco album)  Himalayan Honeysuckle ( Vaccinium glauco album) has been an attractive feature along our north-facing foundation since I planted it in 2016. You will have to take my word for it since I cannot locate a photo although I know one exists somewhere in the realm of the Internet or floating on a cloud somewhere.  I did locate a photo of how it looked when it was first planted - It took a few years to fill out but it did so nicely to an attractive mound about 2 feet high by 3 feet wide.  Last year, it started to look bad.  I cut it back but it had not improved and this is how it looked a few weeks ago - I decided to rip it out and plant another huckleberry - this time Vaccinium ovatum , more commonly known as the "Evergreen Huckleberry".  This is a plant that I've wanted for ages and kept putting off getting one because I could not find a good place for it. By most accounts, this is an amazing plant, a native one and excellent for
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New Fence Completed

 


Wow, that was fast! In just one day and a half, Luis and a helper completed the new fence and gate and I couldn't be happier. It is quite a change from the previous fence -



The next big job will be staining it to match the other wood structures in the garden ('Mahogany Flame' is our go-to color). That will have to wait until things dry out later in the spring.

I haven't looked closely yet at the plants surrounding the fence but I think the workers were pretty careful and everything looks to be intact. The huge Armandii clematis is still there, lying on the ground. I'm going to try and get it back on the fence this weekend if weather permits.

I also love the gate. I showed Luis a photo of ones that I liked and he took it from there. He is very creative and always comes up with good ideas.


From the back (inside the garden), it also looks fantastic -




Now to decide what to grow over the gate. I moved an ornamental kiwi vine and I will probably put it on one side. Of course, I would love to add a rose but the space for it is limited (it would be planted right inside the junipers). Decisions, decisions!

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

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  1. Kris PetersonJanuary 30, 2021 at 6:44 PM

    It looks fabulous, Phillip!

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  2. Karin / Southern MeadowsJanuary 31, 2021 at 4:33 AM

    It looks amazing! The plants and fence will complement one another so well!

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  3. Barbara H.January 31, 2021 at 9:45 AM

    Tough problems to have! It looks amazing - such an improvement, Phillip.

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  4. Lisa at GreenbowJanuary 31, 2021 at 12:18 PM

    WOW is right. When you decide to do something...Voila. It totally transforms this area. The gate is the bomb. And what fun decisions to have to make now.

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  5. Gardener on Sherlock StreetJanuary 31, 2021 at 2:52 PM

    That will look great for years!

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  6. RobinLJanuary 31, 2021 at 5:03 PM

    Excellent work, and what an improvement over chain link! Can’t wait to see how you “decorate” it with plants.

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  7. Endah MurniyatiFebruary 1, 2021 at 12:45 AM

    Lovely! Wooden materials make everything look so natural.

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  8. chavlinessFebruary 1, 2021 at 9:38 AM

    Were the outside photos taken from the street? From a neighbor's yard? I couldn't quite make it out... Either way, the fence is beautiful. You certainly found a Master carpenter with great talent for woodwork.

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverFebruary 1, 2021 at 9:51 AM

      The first three are taken from the driveway. The fence divides the driveway from our back garden. The last three photos were taken on the garden. I hope that makes sense!

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  9. Hoover BooFebruary 1, 2021 at 4:23 PM

    Yes, wow, what a transformation! Congrats on a really successful improvement you can enjoy for years to come.

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  10. Casa MariposaFebruary 1, 2021 at 4:56 PM

    I love it! It's beautiful and perfect for your garden.

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  11. AnonymousFebruary 4, 2021 at 12:28 PM

    The gate is so in keeping with the style of the fence and still echoes the gates you liked (a real design coup)
    rickii

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