Hi folks:

I have several questions for you today. I'm a beginner gardener in Halifax,
Nova Scotia, hardiness zone 6a.

I'm planning to put a perrenial bed, possibly two, into my yard this spring,
probably in the next week or two.

First of all, what I've already purchased, and have growing: I've got 10
clematis plants happily growing in a sunny basement window right now - I got
a good deal on them, they were already growing from their packages, so I
potted them to keep them going, figured they'd die if I didn't water them
and give them a home. I also have 15 stargazer lily bulbs, and four peony
roots. Obviously haven't finished shopping yet (much to my husband's
displeasure!)

Location one has a giant boulder along the outer edge of the yard, south
side of the house, full sun except for the shadow of the boulder. Some of
those clematis are destined to climb up the giant boulder area (I hope). The
'outside' of the boulder faces the street, and is rather steep. I know that
from the street, clematis would look gorgeous growing up the rock face once
they're established, but I'm afraid my clems might find it too shady over
there while they're so young, they'd be in the shadow of the boulder most of
the day while they're small. Would they make it?

The 'inside' of the boulder faces my house, and isn't very high. Maybe
they'd be better off there, but not so much room to climb on that side.
Thoughts? There's some soil on top of the boulder too, and some phlox were
planted up there last year, starting to green up nicely now.

Next question, if I were to make a good-sized bed around the 'inside' of the
boulder, and had my clematis growing from there, what shorter plants could
you suggest to put in front of it? I don't want to block the view of my
clems, so I'd like some plants that are shorter, and flower at different
times over the season.

For the clematis, regardless of where I end up putting them, I'd like to
have some easy-to-manage ground cover around their feet to keep their roots
cool while the rest of the plant is in the heat of the sun.

I have four peony roots to plant this year too (another one of those bargain
purchases), at least one of which is destined for one end of that bed. I'm
thinking icicle pansies for the outside edge (hardy for my Canadian
climate), maybe some crocus to pop up around there early in the year. Anyone
have any other suggestions for short perrenial plants? I prefer flowers, but
greenery is good too.

Next question regards location two, which is an area around the base of some
birch trees and a spruce. My husband hates mowing around there because the
mower won't fit between, has to use the weed whacker. This would be shady in
the summer with the leaves of the trees out. Crocus could work there since
they are out before the leaves, possibly even daffodils. What else can you
suggest?

Thanks so much!

KD

In article ,
says...
Next question regards location two, which is an area around the base of some
birch trees and a spruce.

Around our trees (Zone 5) we have Labrador Violets, Lamium, Primrose,
and hardy geraniums. You'd have to check their suitability to Zone 6.

For a little taller, look at bleeding heart, blanket flower, or Jacob's
ladder.

There's a book called, IIRC, Perennials for All Purposes. Answers a lot
of questions.

--
Homo sapiens is a goal, not a description