Striving to Simulate Nature, Failing Miserably

As this garden evolves, I'm aware I need more rocks. Big ones. Like the ones in Rocky Mountain National Park (above). As soon as I abolish the remaining five hundred square feet of grass in our front yard, there'll be more room. But then there's the issue of the rocks' weight, and the fact that any I acquire have to be free. Were I in Roxbury (CT), I'd be resenting the rock and longing to get rid of it. Here in Denver, I abhor the grass and desire the rock. Such is the truth of suffering...

June Blooms

A rainy spring makes for lush lavendar! This one is in the back garden, planted about four years ago.

Praire Skullcap (Scutellaria resinosa) I take no credit for this one as I just popped it in the ground yesterday (DEAD as of July 1)

Oenothera Missourinesis

Cold-Hardy Delights

I just planted into inch-wide drilled holes these 'Hens and Chicks'. The rock came from a neighbor who works at the Colorado School of Mines, where students routinely practice drilling on samples. Hopefully these little succulents will take. Kenton Seth inspired me to plant this during a class at Timberline Gardens (I'd been sitting on the idea for a year). Carey at Southwest Gardens started the plants, and coached me around filling this unconventional container.

Yucca Harrimaniae (dwarf Yucca) and Escobaria sneedii var. leei (pincusion cactus)

Lovin' the Blues

Nepeta faassenii

Stachys (Lamb's Ears)

Chrysothamnus nauseosus and Agave paryii, both new this year.

Red Hot Beauties

Penstemon pinifolius

Helianthemum 'Henfield Brilliant'

Living Sculpture

Agave parryi v. neomexicana

Eriogonum umbellatum 'Shasta Sulfur', and below,

Bumblebee visiting Opuntia humifusa v. inermis

Patience

Rock gardens start off slowly. One must be patient! Patience is not an attribute I am known for. As spring sets in, my mind is replete with thoughts and images of all the things that will emerge from the dry, gravely soil. How I long to see more color! The pansies in pots satiate this hunger for the time being; their smiling faces remind me to wait happily rather than fret about the gaping holes.