Why I Oughta...

Yesterday, I showed a photo of the growth that the three Green Gem Boxwoods have put on in the past few years .  I also mentioned that there were a couple of small boulders tucked in-betwix them that started out as a feature but have recently been hidden by the foliage.  I put those three boulders (two round, one more-square) during the Winter of 2023 .  Today, they're covered in this beautiful, soft green moss.  See below: I'd like to move these out from in-betwix the boxwoods, but I don't want to damage this moss.  It sure seems to like to grow here.  This is *exactly* the type of " Garden Personality " that I'm after, but it is being hidden.   The conditions seem to be right with the mix of moisture, shade and surface area.  I'm thinking that I can move these out to a different shade spot and keep them happy. 

One of the things that I've been thinking about is boulders.  How to use them.  Where to use them.  Why to use them.  In my garden.  That's because (mostly) my new conifer garden. But, also...because of my dream of a pond.   Like most things, you can wander around the Web and find all sorts of tips/tricks/inspiration for how/when/why to use boulders.  Like this post from Nelson Landscaping in Oklahoma where they  give a few ideas, including: Highlight a single boulder as a focal point. Group boulders together to create a cohesive and natural look. Incorporate boulders into your patio design to add texture and visual interest. Use rocks and boulders to add height and dimension to your front or backyard. Surround boulders with pebbles and gravel to create a cohesive look. Everybody is talking about large boulders.  That's what the pros use.  When I say 'large', I mean HUGE.  Boulders that you need heavy equipment to move around. ...

I was going through some of my draft posts from earlier this Summer and I  noticed a draft post about a Japanese-inspired concrete garden object that I saw in a garden on the border of McCollum park in downers.  I thought I'd bring it up-to-date and publish it here as a marker towards some garden object-inspiration.  Here's what I saw in a garden in Downers Grove below - a short, stout object that looks like a lantern.  They are called a toro .   I've posted about being drawn toward Japanese-inspired gardening and even have a visit to Gotenyama Garden in Tokyo as inspiration where they have a large Toro (or at least that's what I *think* it is).  From that post : I also went to the Chicago Botanic Garden late this Summer to visit with a friend and colleague and while there, we tool'd around the Japanese Garden .  It was really lovely.   Here, below, is a photo I took with my phone as we walked towards the Japanese Garden section from th...