To continue the spending spree this weekend I went to Pikes Nursery again to get a few more plants for the bog and upper bed area. I only spent about $70 on 6 plants, mulch, and some water clarifier which I knew I would need after all the plant dirt washed from the bog to lower pond.
For the bog:
Anemopsis Clailifornica (Yerba Mansa)- Perenial with large waxy gray green leaves and little white flowers in summer. Grows to about 12 inches and is planted 0-6″ deep in water. UPDATE 06/11 – did not do well in moving water, still alive but did not thrive. Mar2012, Moved to a still water bog planter and it has done better, bloomed once in spring.
Chameleon Plant (Houttuynia corda. Variegata) – Verigated red, green, pink and yellow heart shaped leaves. Has delicate white flowers in summer. Update 06/11 did ok but not as well as hoped.
Miniature Cattails (Typha minima) – Small cattail which only gets about 1 foot tall. UPDATE – died.
Red Stemmed Parrots Feathr (Myriophyllum brasilienis) – blue green lacy folliage on red stems. Usually an under water plant but it can also be planted at the surface. Good oxygenator. I am hoping it will spread quickly and cascade over the falls some. UPDATE – Did not do well in moving water, moved to pond, koi ate it.
You can learn more about these water plants at www.pondtrend.com see the catalog
For the raised bed:
Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)- Dark green leaves and small white flowers and thrives in shade. considered a ground cover. UPDATE – thriving despite infrequent watering and hot temps.
I also added a Hosta near the base of the Japanese maple but do not know the variety. It has dark leaves with white edges. UPDATE Thriving and blooming.
My other plants seem to be thriving except the white azaleas. I went too long without watering. Seems the weather men have not been very accurate with their rain forecasts lately. I did add some dark mulch on the raised bed to help retain moisture. UPDATE Azaleas all died, may be something to do with being under the bradford pear tree or too close to the bog where the pond water tends to be splashed by the birds creating a constant damp area.
