I have divided the middle of the back yard into three sections - left, right and water feature. As you know I have been wanting to add a water feature to my garden for a long time. I found a fibreglass ball at one of the Macy Prop sales a few years ago and knew that it would be perfect for a fountain. I also got a small architectural piece for a base, and a round pond piece to build it in, which I have to bury into the ground. I will pick up a bubbling pump in a week or so and finally put it together - for about $20.00 plus the pump. I hope it will look as nice in the flesh as it has in my head.
The left side was where I put all of the current potted plants I have. I situated them where I wanted to put them, and left them alone for a week to become acclimated to the sun and heat. They have been on my patio for ages, and were quite used to the filtered light from under the screens. Before I planted anything I want to make sure that they will like where they are. Also, I figured it would take me a week to get everything together before I planted - the irrigation system connected to the main line, etc. I went with Brian to Home Depot and got the necessary hose and sprinkler heads to add onto the drip system, spending about $30.00. 
I already have the black hose that runs all around the house and fence, so I knew it would be a simple matter to tie in with a tee connector and go from there. I divided the 100 foot hose in half, and connected to a tee in the center of the yard. I looped each back upon itself forming two u-shaped lines emmanating from the center. These will become my planting beds. I placed a focal point in each, the birdbath in one, and the bird feeder in the other. I put the big plumeria cuttings on either side of them, future perches for the birds, maybe.
I already have the black hose that runs all around the house and fence, so I knew it would be a simple matter to tie in with a tee connector and go from there. I divided the 100 foot hose in half, and connected to a tee in the center of the yard. I looped each back upon itself forming two u-shaped lines emmanating from the center. These will become my planting beds. I placed a focal point in each, the birdbath in one, and the bird feeder in the other. I put the big plumeria cuttings on either side of them, future perches for the birds, maybe. At the furthest end of each bed I plan on planting 
shell gingers because they clump into round clusters, much like a large bush would. I have two types currently, so they should be similar enough to blend, but different enough to keep from being totally symmetrical. At the closest ends of the beds I plan to put brugmansia. Since the center of the two will be a water fountain, I wanted to have a little bit of shade, and I like that the trumpets don't get too big to monopolize the yard. I got a nice hybrid (a pink and apricot cross) at the last meeting which is doing well, and I will look for a yellow for the other side.
shell gingers because they clump into round clusters, much like a large bush would. I have two types currently, so they should be similar enough to blend, but different enough to keep from being totally symmetrical. At the closest ends of the beds I plan to put brugmansia. Since the center of the two will be a water fountain, I wanted to have a little bit of shade, and I like that the trumpets don't get too big to monopolize the yard. I got a nice hybrid (a pink and apricot cross) at the last meeting which is doing well, and I will look for a yellow for the other side. I wanted to have a tallish plant near the shell gingers, so I decided on a gardenia for one side and a mock orange jasmine for the other. They 
are each about 40" tall, so they should be big enough to stand out from the rest and make a nice balance to the trumpets which will get about twice as tall. On the left side I planted the clerodendron from Brad and Gary, a variegated chiflera I got at Dani and Deb's meeting, and a 
painted ti - I think. I got it from Annie and Mitch - Hey Plantman - from the Saturday Morning Market.
are each about 40" tall, so they should be big enough to stand out from the rest and make a nice balance to the trumpets which will get about twice as tall. On the left side I planted the clerodendron from Brad and Gary, a variegated chiflera I got at Dani and Deb's meeting, and a 
painted ti - I think. I got it from Annie and Mitch - Hey Plantman - from the Saturday Morning Market. I plan on putting all of the rhyzomes I got at Green Thumb in the center rows, once I have added more irrigation lines to the beds. Then I will put newspaper down around all of the non-spreading plants and mulch.
Brian and I went down to Scott and George's home the other night. They invited us down to pick up some plumeria cuttings they got from the land fill. I was expecting a few 2 foot cuttings but what we got were veritable trees! I don't know what color they will be, but that is part of the fun of getting plumeria cuttings. We had a very nice visit with them both, and saw their lovely Florida bungalow home in Old Southeast. It was a good time to get to know other club members better.
If you have any suggestions for me, or want to help my little garden grow, please drop me a line!!
Bryan
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