The first year... (part 2)

The photo above shows the bed mid cleanup - I slowly pulled up spent annuals to allow the space for the grasses and perennials to fill in. And they did not disappoint.

By early July this was the effect...

It was so exciting to see it change and evolve. One of the best things about native gardens is that they forever change. There is always something to look forward to, something to learn from and something to observe. That first year was particularly dynamic. I got into a habit of doing a walk-through first thing when I got to the shop in the morning. It is a really good habit to have because you start to have a really good idea of what is going on in your garden and notice if anything is not doing well or needs something right away. You also notice all the exciting things - the wildlife that visits your garden, new blooms, new growth, things that go together particularly well (whether it as planned or a happy accident). The knowledge of your garden becomes intuitive and any maintenance does not seem a chore, but rather part of a daily routine.

By the time fall was near things began to change again. By mid September Lindheimer Senna (Senna lindheimeriana) was putting on a show and grasses where still going strong. Azure Blue Sage (Salvia azurea) added beautiful pops of blue to the landscape. And by October Rough Gayfeather (Liatris aspera) added a strong pop of purple.