The space for the bricks was dug out to a depth of six inches and leveled. A tamped bed of high quality soil mix was laid and the brick were added. This part of the project was a bit dodgy... I did not want the brick settling later. The "holes" in the brick entry were created and planted the following year.

The patio is covered by a portion of the building roof... and the opening faces south... so this is where permanent plants-in-pots are stored over the winter. The Japanese maple, three peonies, a Heuchera, Persian fritillaries, a Bottlebrush Buckeye and a Dyce's Holly Fern have lived one or more winters in this location.

During the growing season other pots are used to display a few tropical plants and flowers. These include a rubber tree and an Agave I've had for many years... and a large pot of Agapanthus [Lily of the Nile] that blooms in early summer and also bloomed its first winter indoors in February. The Mandevilla pots generally change each year... and I give what I remove to a couple of friends.

The Euphorbia [bottom, far right] works nicely as an off-balance focal point... its the plant everyone asks about.


The 'Ogon' Sedum and the 'Pink Chintz' Thyme grew together and made a beautiful picture.




The marbled yellow and white Four O'Clocks brighten up the patio at night... even moonless ones. I wish their blooms stayed open in daylight.


The 'Ogon' sedum is kind of special. A client planted it at the base of a dwarf columnar Scotch pine... that is how I learned about it. I've enjoyed it ever since. It is an excellent very-small-leafed succulent that is tolerant of lots of growing conditions... except too much shade. It tucks in-between other plants very easily and it complements any color next to it.