This week I spoke at the LCCA Logan Circle Community Association monthly meeting about tree box planting. I promised to continue the discussion here on my blog.
There are pros and cons to planting directly in tree boxes. First the cons... Trees planted in tree boxes in the city are compromised as it is given the conditions, limited space, compaction, pollution, etc... Add to that... their most important roots are located in the top six inches of soil. So digging in your tree box
could damage the tree.
Now the pros... one could argue that those that plant in tree boxes would also take care of their plants and of course the tree along with it. They would water, fertilize, maintain, etc...
I love planting in my tree box. I'm careful when digging, only digging when necessary and not cultivating the soil to much. I use low growing, tough perennials.
Lately I've been using a terrific product we have at the store called "stepables." These are perennials geared for light to heavy foot traffic. You (and dogs) can step on them! Most will bloom at some time in the year and a lot are evergreen. How cool is that! I planted a mix in my tree box. They look good combined creating a nice mosaic of low growing color, structure and texture.
There is a particular tool I like using and that is a garden knife. It has a thick blade and is shaped like a narrow hand trowel with a serrated edge on one side. I like it because it is tough enough to get through any compacted soil conditions you might have and it won't fall apart in the process. We have them behind the counter at the shop if you think you might need one. It is the right tool for a tough hand digging.
Post tip: Evergreen plants stay green all year including winter. Plant them and your garden will have winter color and interest. My garden is a collection of evergreen conifers and perennials. While other gardens looked bare this winter, mine stayed nice and green. And remember, it is just as easy to fall in love with a tough plant as it is with a delicate plant.
OK I have to rave about a few plants in my garden.... golden oregano planted next to deep green ornamental conifers created a sensational contrast in color. The purple Allium are popping up and delight me so much against the soft yellow background of my house. This year I added Agapanthus and they will bloom after the Allium. When the Agapanthus appear it will sure to remind me of Buenos Aires and one of my customers, Monique, who raves about her Agapanthus in Africa. My Liriope is growing back and looking so fresh after the hard cut back I did a few weeks ago. Now for the back garden, my roman/kitchen garden. I added two patio orange trees and filled three pots with strawberries this week. I love strawberries and the way the leaves turn deep red in the fall. I'll over winter my orange trees below in a southern exposed window in my basement and build some sort of irrigation system to keep them alive until the following spring. Not quite the Solarium set up at my aunt's house, but it will have to do. The low growing ornamental thyme "stepables" I planted along the edge of large granite cobble are slowing starting to creep over again. And finally my espalier Euonomus are growing together and up to give me the live green wall I've been building "growing" for the last three years. Life is getting good!
