Video Class: Botanical Opportunities for Unexpected Places: Part 3

Part 3 - Plants for Bogs, Ponds, and Dry Shade

Welcome to part three of my class: Botanical Opportunities in Unexpected Places

In part one, I shared how understanding and accepting our diverse locations can help us to make better gardens by using examples of my work for clients in diverse areas across the US. We also heard about how current ecological research has led designers and gardeners to value less-than-perfect growing conditions in order to increase biodiversity and create more sustainable garden plantings. I shared about how creating elevations increases your types of growing conditions.

In part two, I covered planting in wet soils which generally are found at the bottom of hills and slopes. I shared about treating our undrained, muddy ground as a native prairie to create a Long Border, and gave a long list of plants which will grow well in damp ground in sun or shade. Included were many North American natives.

Part three, I include details about how we created our Ruin garden and garden pond. I also cover plants for bogs and open water for pond margins. We will also talk about dry sunny spots and plants that thrive in these areas, especially in curbs and at the top of slopes. Lastly we tackle plants for challenging dry, shady conditions which you may have under large shade trees. We end with a wonderful quote from designer, Dan Pearson.

Without further ado, on to part 3 of Botanical Opportunities for Unexpected Places…