With too many idle hours in the first weeks of retirement, I am nearly as anxious to get working outdoors as I am impatient for plants to wake from their winter slumber. No doubt, my winter purchases have exceeded those of prior years, and soon, I look forward to beginning to figure where all will fit.

Two years ago, the damp, weedy lawn in the lower, rear garden was dug out. The sod and soil were mounded to create a drier, raised planting area that has been quite successful (above and below).  Exaggerated drainage trenches were dug to carry away rainwater that flows in from the neighboring property, and now I begin to plant this void that is bordered by granite stepping stones.

The low lying trenches are intermittently saturated during periods of regular rainfall, so an easy first step has been to divide thick clumps of Japanese (Iris ensata) and Siberian irises (Iris siberica) that thrive in damp soils nearby. Several varied colors of these have been ordered, as well as Louisiana irises that were delivered and planted a few days ago.

To vary textures, several hostas were transplanted to the slightly drier topside of the trench, but several broad leaf plants must still be added. Certainly, a baptisia (below) or two will be planted. These tolerate wet and dry and even a bit of shade, though I must locate any so that vigorous clumps do not grow to obstruct the drainage.

I have little doubt that remaining gaps will quickly be filled with the first visit to the garden center. But, that’s weeks away, so I’ll continue to imagine the final design and plant as quickly as winter orders are delivered. As always, I’m more than ready to get moving.