The border that runs along the sidewalk at the front of my home was long overdue for a renovation.
Asters of unknown lineage, a hardy geranium and a couple of garden phlox had run amok — strangling every other resident they came across until only these three remained. I’d been putting off this formidable task for several years until last spring, when I tackled the two corners at either end. This May, I gathered up my courage and finished the job.
I had three goals: restoring order to the plantings, screening the garden from the street and catching runoff. Like all responsibly built homes, my property was contoured for maximum runoff. The house sits at the highest point, with the yard sloped away on all sides to keep the foundation dry. All well and good, but I’d also like to trap in my garden any moisture that nature provides.
When I redid the corners, I first removed all of the plants except established trees and then raised the soil to create slight mounds to act as dams. Boulders of lava rock stabilize the slope and add a decorative element. Now I’m once again playing human gopher, building one long berm to connect the two corner mounds. To avoid a WWII bunker look, I’ve made the berm undulate, varying height and width along its length.
As for screening, I’ve always aimed for a compromise between being fully open to the street and complete privacy. Shrubs and trees along the perimeter formed more of a veil than a hedge. But recently a neighbor who collects old clunker trucks has started parking them in front of my house. A row of primed, mud-coated 4-wheel-drive vehicles plastered with redneck bumper stickers is not exactly a Martha Stewart-approved view.
So screening became a priority. A cedar split-rail fence at the sidewalk edge was already garlanded with climbing roses, clematis, honeysuckle and wisteria, which helps. Tall perennials like Joe Pye weed, ironweed and variegated Maiden grass also do a decent job of concealing the street during the growing season.
But because the eyesore is year- round, something more substantial and permanent was called for. What I needed were evergreens. Did I mention that this area is also fairly shady? Evergreens in general don’t like shade. In other parts of the country I’d have more choices. Camellias and Japanese aucuba aren’t hardy in Colorado. Azaleas and hollies won’t tolerate my highly alkaline soil.
This border is not large, so to limit my selection even further I needed varieties that stay relatively small. This left dwarf Alberta spruce, upright dwarf yews, and arborvitae. I don’t care for conifers that are strongly cone-shaped, so Alberta spruce was out. A distaste of anything that appears sheared eliminated yews.
So arborvitae it is. Fortunately they come in all shapes and sizes. I found two that I liked and got them in the ground. They’re the perfect choice — or will be eventually. They looked so much larger in the store. Until they fill in, anyone know where I can get a movie-set backdrop?
Marcia Tatroe’s most recent book is “Cutting Edge Gardening in the Intermountain West,” ($29.95, Johnson Books). E-mail her at mtatroe@q.com.
