I have posted here before about my perennial garden on my farm. In Jan. I sold my farm and moved into town to a condo. It's not an apartment-like condo--I knew I needed "a bit of earth." There are only 2 units per building and I have a pretty large for a condo fenced back area, about 1/3 of which is becoming my redfooted tortoise's pen, and the rest is for me. There is a concrete patio, so what is left for me is an L-shaped strip about 30" wide.

Here is the yard before I purchased it. Basically a wasteland LOL. Particularly amusing is the spindly tree in the weird wooden "room" in the second pic. No idea what that was all about. It all came out of course.





Here is how things look now. It is a northern exposure and between the house, the overhead trees, and the fence, it stays pretty shady, getting some AM sun and dappled sun later in the day. I replaced all the fence slats and many of the 2x4s (7 pounds of star-headed deck screws later!). Then I made a fence for Beasley's (tortoise) part of the yard. I planted a Rose of Sharon tree (she loves the leaves and blooms) in Beasley's part. It will be heavily planted with hostas, ferns, and sedges once we are past the danger of frost--it is too cold for Beasley to go out more than occasionally right now anyway.

In my part, I have planted a Celestial Shadow dogwood hybrid that isn't supposed to get very large (and my master gardener SIL says she will help me keep it pruned to hopefully prevent it from outgrowing that corner), two amazing hellebores (I saw them and just fell in love!), a Coral Bells, and a dwarf hydrangea. There will also be a lot of hostas and ferns once the big ones arrive at the nursery, as well as astilbe. My SIL says she has some other stuff she can donate to me (as well as all the "regular" hellebores I want).

Feeling good about it! It is certainly a transformation. I mean, when you start where I did, there is really nowhere to go but up!

MY PART OF THE GARDEN:













BEASLEY'S PART OF THE GARDEN:

That looks like the perfect yard for little maintenance and lots of color at the same time. Hope to see pictures later in the summer.

Rose1656 said: That looks like the perfect yard for little maintenance and lots of color at the same time. Hope to see pictures later in the summer.

Yes! Coming from a farm, I am THRILLED to have just a small plot. My garden at the farm wasn't huge, but there was so much general maintenance that it was wearying. I feel as if my to-do list here is actually doable for the first time in 20 years!

It can be both daunting and exciting to have a blank slate. You've created a lovely spot for you and Beasley. Gorgeous hellebore. Great job!

Do you have a picture of the turtle?

Pawsplus, I love how things are falling into place.

I also would love to see pics of Beasley! and the garden as it develops. Starting from scratch is fun, especially when you get to the point of sitting back and enjoying it all.