This time last year I started the year’s End of Month meme with a post about the front garden. By the time I had finished writing it I was completely certain that my argument that I had a love/hate relationship with the garden was flawed; I did in fact hate the front garden. Readers were kind with their comments but it was those that extolled me to bite the bullet and just dig up the wretched lawn that really hit home. So I did.
Well my youngest son lifted the lawn over the space of a week in April and then I pondered what to do next. I had a whole collection of asters and grasses from the back garden that needed a home so I bought some fennel to add height and a couple of Euphorbias for substance. Walking back and force it soon became clear where the path should go and my eldest son very kindly, with the odd mutter, laid the brick edging and spread the gravel. We also widened the single width paving slab path along the front of the house which has somehow balanced things better. 
In my usual random way I didn’t dig the whole space over and carefully plan things. Instead I spread the asters and grasses out and planted them hoping for the best. The asters had lost their labels (a recurring theme over the last few years) so I wasn’t sure which were the tallest or the tones of purple. Anyway, the first summer was good, not great or amazing, but a decent start for such an unplanned decision. The smaller bed was full of bright red zinnias some 4ft tall; this spring I hope it will be full of tulips and then I intend to repeat the zinna show.
The bigger bed which is essentially most of the front garden needs lots of work. I need to work through it weeding and removing the perennial weeds. I have thought that the space needed a third tree for some years to balance out the other two so back at the beginning of the month I added a Sorbus ‘Pink Pagoda’ and in the process aggravated an old arm injury and so gardening has stopped. Hopefully if the healing continues as it is and the rain stops I might be able to do some weeding next weekend. I think the Euphorbias are too far forward but I can’t for the life of me remember which ones they are but in the back of my mind they are Euphorbia characias which might be too tall but I wanted them to flop over the path.
Anyway, there are lots to do in this area, plants to re-arrange and plants to add so I thought I would share the progress in this year’s End of Month meme.
The meme has been very well supported over the last few years, even when I have been a little lax in supporting it myself so I am hoping that some of my readers will join in again this year. You can use the meme however it suits you – all I ask is that you include a link to my monthly post in your post and a link to your post in the comments box on my post. I think that makes sense and will allow us to find each other.
Looking interesting!
Your front garden is looking great. I like the path and you have obviously worked on the soil which also looks great. More EoMV at https://glebehouse.wordpress.com/2017/01/31/end-of-the-month-view-january-2017/
thanks Helen
Hi Steve
Looking good, enjoy your time in India
It’s good to see the front garden again. I like the new arrangement.
Thanks Marian
Oh brilliant Helen! I was hoping we would see more of the front garden this year. Our styles and choice of plants is similar and I will follow it with huge interest.
I’ll be joining in again this month but the weather down here (torrential rain) has scuppered my plans for picture taking so it’ll be a couple of days late. Apologies.
Hi Jessica
Yes I thought I would show my front garden, bit like airing your dirty linen!!
Here we go.. better late than never!
https://www.rustyduck.net/2017/02/02/onwards-and-upwards/
Fabulous to see the transformation. It will be interesting to see how it develops through the year.
Here’s my EoMV for January:
https://duverdiary.wordpress.com/2017/01/31/end-of-month-view-january-2017/
Hi Jen
Thanks for joining in
I love how your front garden has developed Helen. There is nothing nicer than having an attractive and interesting entrance to your home. Such a pity so many have turned over their gardens to parking their cars. I was a little tardy in my EOMV’s last year and have a resolution to contribute every month. This is my January post. https://hurtledto60.com/2017/01/31/end-of-month-view-january-2017/
Hi Ronnie
I’m lucky as I have parking for two cars adjacent to the front garden – wide frontage to the house – so I don’t have to forsake any garden for cars.
It’s been really interesting to see how you’ve got on and the decisions made. For a winter garden it looks good and I like the idea of filling the gaps with annuals. I’ve been doing the same with a garden space in the flats where I live and have had to alter my plans to accommodate paths that have naturally sprung up – I find I get the best ideas when working in the garden rather than plotting on paper!
Hi Cato
I can’t plan on paper at all, I tend to stare at the border and then imagine what I need to add in terms of texture or colour
That’s quite a transformation, Helen. The new look is great and some planting opportunities as well.
I’ve posted a January end of month view at http://rosecottagejottings.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/end-of-month-view-january-2017.html
Hi Sue
So glad you are joining the meme
Your front garden is looking great and has a lot of interest even in the month of January. It’s nice tagging along and watching the transformation!
Hi Lee
Thanks, glad you like the front garden although a lot of the colour is from weeds!
Just picked up on this meme! Will attempt to participate with something at the end of Feb. Love your front garden, BTW. Who needs a lawn…
Hi Gordon
Please do join in with the meme the more the merrier. Glad you like the removal of the lawn
I always like to see how a garden space evolves over time. In my own garden, it’s what keeps things interesting for me! It’s good to see actual plants, too. All I’ve got right now is snow!
Here’s my link: http://www.ofbooksandblooms.com/2017/01/end-of-january-robins-and-snow.html
Hi Linnaean
Sorry you are still dealing with snow, I would hate that
It has been so interesting hearing and seeing your journey with the front garden, Helen, and I am so glad you are happier with it now. Thanks as always for hosting. My January post is greyer than it has been in some years, but that’s British weather for you! https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2017/01/31/end-of-month-view-for-a-grey-january/
Hi Cathy
It’s been so foggy and misty here, I almost would prefer it to snow
It’s certainly been greyer than some of the wet winters we have had recently, so I know what you mean about snow
I can’t imagine you’ve had a moments regret about getting rid of the lawn. Pointless things IMO. It’s looking really good after just a year. Is that Grevillea at the back, looking like it wants to grow big?
My EOMV post is here https://gardenruminations.wordpress.com/2017/02/01/end-of-month-view-january-2017/
Hi Jim yes it’s grevillea Canberra gem, been in situ probably 8 years or so. I have to trim it back from time to time!
Hi Helen – the front garden is coming on really well. It has huge potential now that you have your structure sorted. Love the brick edging to the path, it looks great.
My EoMR is here http://www.blackberrygarden.co.uk/2017/02/end-of-month-review-january-2017.html
Fabulous to see how things are progressing. It is such fun to think that spring is really just around the corner now, all around us there is life, we have our first daffodil in flower, the primroses and violets are looking fabulous and the plum trees are so nearly in blossom. Everywhere we look there are signs of Spring and it is wonderful to be out in the garden again.
I love the brick edged path. It’s all looking lovely, Helen. I’m a bit late with my post due to the incessant rain. Anyway,better late than never. All the best. Karen. http://karengimson.wordpress.com/2017/02/02/end-of-the-month-view
The photos look great. I always love a curving path to lead you into the garden. I always think a well done and proportioned path (not too wide but definitely not too narrow) makes such a difference, as shown in these photos. I try to do this myself but find it hard to give up planting space!
Is that a yellow wave phormium in the bed? I see it’s a safe distance back, I had to move some as the leaves were laying over the path. The stress caused them to loose a lot of their colour, though otherwise they never flinched.
I love your pictures. Nice garden.
I’m late….. The link to my contribution… http://wp.me/p2E4eg-LF
Thanks for hosting, and roll in Summer.!