Just like making movies, it takes grips, indie spirit, a small fortune and an intrepid crew to produce a thriving flower garden in the Valley. It’s no small feat, then, that these five gardens have made the cut as Garden Clippings' best-garden choices. One unfortunate nominee did not make the list—a beautiful Colfax Meadows cottage garden planted on a berm. Three days ago, production on it had shut down. The project was in turnaround. Dug up.
To qualify for the first annual Clip Award, nominees must be flower gardens produced by organized or disorganized labor. Star power matters not.
For your consideration, this year’s contenders are:
1. Little Miss Sunshine
Set on a cul-de-sac, the Landale garden merrily contributes to a plot that runs wild. It stars an eccentric cast of coreopsis, lobelia and roses with strong supporting performances from impatiens and begonias.
2. Goodfellas
In this cult classic on Aqua Vista, tough zinnias mix it up with the cool delphiniums and stalwart salvias, and get the greenlight from Zone 9 Pictures.
3. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Brachycombe, daylillies and foxglove follow the beaten path while our heroic red rose, flanked by upright yellow snapdragon sidekicks, find themselves up against the wall.
4. The Social Network
Nobody could predict the success of this sight: sweet allysum, red leaf begonia, white vinca and zinnia poke their faces out for public approval.
5. True Grit
Because when the going gets tough, it takes a hardened lawnman to tame the wild western border. Here, roses and agapanthus got the spunk.
Also for your consideration, check out the series of shorts at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Moorpark Street, east of Whitsett. The Peace Garden, native Butterfly Garden, Woods Garden and a newly planted Golden Rule Garden can be viewed from two wooden benches under shade trees. Open to the public. (Watch it on the video below).
Vote on your favorite by commenting on the Garden Clippings page.
WHAT TO DO:
Water early morning or early evening. In the heat, you may have to water more than once a day, but don’t get carried away.
Deadhead. Cut back. Remove yellow or brown leaves.
Put water out for birds.
Plant buddleia for butterflies.
A tip from Tracy: Rotting fruit on the ground attracts butterflies.
When cutting back bushes and shrubs, watch for nests.
For the birds: Don’t over-clean. Leave some leaf litter and pine needles on the ground.
STEAL THIS IDEA:
Make your own (inexpensive) bird bath: Buy a large ceramic saucer with a lip. Turn a terra cotta pot upside down so that the wide part is planted firmly onto the soil or a concrete patio. Place the saucer on top of the inverted pot. Pour water into the saucer and drop a rounded stone in its center so birds can gauge depth of water.
