Now that the dry creek bed has been completed and the sewer line repaired, I was able to begin work on the multiple flowerbeds that will flank the yard.

To begin, I played around with an old garden hose. I tried different waves and curves, until I found a simple shape that worked perfectly for the space. The edge is curved so it will direct water into the creek. Once I landed on the final shape, I took white spray paint to mark along the hose to create a guide for digging.

My yard is very eclectic, nothing is too structured or formal. The material I chose for creating all the flowerbeds was chop rock, a roughly cut stone brick, in colors that complement my house.

I didn’t take a picture of the decomposed granite under each chop rock, but it’s there. I used the DG to level some areas of the rocks and it will help keep the chop rock from sinking into the yard. Yes, sand, is typically used instead of decomposed granite, but I had leftover DG from the patio redo. 🙂

Once the chop rock was installed, I tilled the bed and began planting the first of my drought tolerant plants.

The majority of the plants will be perennials, which typically grow sloooow. Being the impatient gardener, I incorporated annuals to add color for the season. Of course as the perennials mature, I will plant less annuals to make sure the main stars of the bed have apple room to grow, spread and thrive.  Remember to mulch your beds. Mulch keeps the water from evaporating quickly in the hot Texas sun.

As you can see, after two months, the plants are beginning to fill in.  I will take additional photos as the season progresses, so you can see how my plants fare.

In my first flowerbed, you will find:
3 Gulfstream Nandinas
1 Gold Star Esperanza
4 Salvia Greggii
3 Salvia May Night Mainacht
2 Trailing White Lantana
4 Angelona Serenita Purple
4 Verbena Homestead
10 White Vinca
2 Giant Liriope – which I will be moving to a new location, in the coming months.

One down. Three more flowerbeds to go!