Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
My first new perennial bloom!! (+ pics of my new bed!)
I posted a lot a couple weeks ago about doing a new flower bed in front of our front porch (thanks for all the help!!!). Minus mulch (haven't had the time yet) I got it done last week - yea!!! I didn't have time to research each plant I picked except for what the tag said so we will see if what I picked works out.
But at the start of this week I got my first new bloom off a new plant, my oenothera (which I just
read can be weedy and invasive - great). It's so pretty and gets me so
excited! Our kitchen is right off the porch so I get to look out there
all day long and check out my hard work 
Anyway, here are some pictures of what got done:
The only change that was made after this picture was taken was moving the small burning bush that's to the right of the steps and put the matching boxwood there to match the left side (ran out of time the day I did this all).
Plans for the
fall/next year are to continue the bed on the left of the stairs to go
back to that existing bed. Those big shrubs will come out and be replaced with
something more pretty/alive
I think I may also look into doing some ground cover on the right side to continue to help with the slope. The bricks have been doing their job retaining (they were what was in place when we got to the house) but it wouldn't hurt and it would look nice. Any suggestions on what or HOW to do ground cover around existing plants?
Also, do you think it would help at all
the repaint the wrought iron railings?? They are black right now and in
rough shape. We aren't willing to invest money in them ourselves (we
live in the church parsonage) so replacing them is out (as well as
putting railing across the patio 
) but am wondering if that could do any good. ??
It's going to be a slow progress but I'm excited with the progress we've made in the last 2 years!! For fun, this is what was here when we got to the house:
Re: My first new perennial bloom!! (+ pics of my new bed!)
Good job so far. I think you've done well, especially given your budget/time considerations.
I'll think about ground cover, but I am not familiar with MI. Can you wander through your local nursery to see if something catches your eye? I'm thinking it would have to be very low profile given the height of your plants.
Also, you might consider some mulch. Most cities/counties have some kind of recycle where you can shovel wood chips & take it home. You could also check with some local tree removal services since they usually shred them onsite. (At least, they do here.)
PHOTOS REMOVED