A little over a month ago, I shared a planting dilemma with you all. Without much thought, I had planted 10 Carex appalachica under a River Birch tree in Fall of 2014. And as you will soon see, it resulted in a bizarre-formal-half circle that haunted me each time I set eyes on it.
Ouch, it still hurts.
I knew at some point I would overhaul the design but struggled to come up with an alternate plan. I knew that this sedge prefers dry soil and could thrive in competition with tree roots.
With that in mind, I finally settled on a new location – under my crabapple tree. In literally 15 minutes time, I removed the ugly Ajuga that was under the tree and weaved this magic.
All is now well in my world.
I’m thinking about adding something else amongst the Carex to really frickin nail it. But for now, I am content with the new, less formal design and the hideous prior attempt is in the rearview.
BTW, I can’t say enough about how much this sedge glistens in the sun, especially after a rain.
Thank you yet again Hoffman Nursery for turning me on to Carex appalachica.
Maybe fill in with other sedges? Carex ‘Evergold’ is nice, or maybe one or more of the orange sedges. Could make for some colorful clumping effects, and a nice varied waviness in the breeze. Grasses are so great!
Just saw your garden featured on Fine Gardening photo of the day. Congratulations!!
Some trees, like a potentially huge River Birch will take the nutrition, water and whatever it likes from anything planted near and certainly under it. The crab apple isn’t as demanding. Good switch. Mulch under the River Birch and let her go! Oak trees here in the South are pretty much the same robbers. Just don’t plant under them. Too much shade and too little of everything else. Looks great!
Whew, even I feel relieved on your behalf ’cause I know how much the half circle bothered you. This new placement and arrangement really works. It has a comfortable harmony with how Mother Nature would let them multiply. When it comes to a companion planting…I am a huge fan of a ground cover called Veronica ‘Georgia Blue’ . Its indigo blue flowers happen fairly early in the spring ( a bit before creeping phlox) and it’s foliage is quite attractive. Here in my part of TN, it gets a deep maroon in the winter. I think those deep blue flowers would look great with the bright color of the grass.