That's a hand-dug water well from 1878. It is non-operational. We haven't decided what to do about it (new house) other than cover it safely.

Those are walking onions left over from the previous owner. I worked them all summer and couldn't keep up with them. New plants rooted every day. And they stink- like onions. And I don't really like onions. Needless to say, I hate them and am digging them all up ASAP.

Bed is full sun pending any shade created by whatever I plant on the East side. It will surround the well on four sides.

I would like something new. Probably flowers as opposed to a bush or shrub. Dont really care much for succulents. We have all perennials- did not plant a single annual last year. I like bright colors and sweet smells but both characteristics are not required. I don't mind some work, but don't want anything that is super high maintenance. Watering and fertilizing and normal weeding are expected. Bonsai-type trimming would be too much for me.

I'm going to post some shots of other areas of my garden in bloom for your review.

Thanks for reading my long post!!

Good luck digging out those onions. If they're anything like wild nodding onions, any tiny root left behind will come back as a new plant. It may be a several year process.

As far as what to plant, I'd encourage you to include some milkweed to support the Monarch butterflies. Asclepias incarnata is well behaved and a favorite for females to lay eggs on. Even if you don't get butterflies, the blossoms will attract hummingbirds and other beneficial pollinators. In fact, that spot would be a fantastic butterfly/hummingbird spot. You could plant salvias, monarda, penstemon, liatris, delphiniums, columbine, coral bells, and on and on. If you include annuals, the list doubles. Enjoy your project.

Martha

Caryopteris/blue mist shrub is low-growing & low-maintenance where I am plus it has a mild fragrance and attracts pollinators.

Chelone (turtlehead) makes an appearance in late season with pink or white blooms (shaped like--you guessed it, a turtle's head) when not much else is blooming + it attracts bees.

Dicentra/bleeding heart is a springtime bloomer that I've always found was high-impact but zero maintenance, either the species (red) or hybrid 'Alba' (white).

If you have a bit of shade, snakeroot (Cimicifuga racemosa) is zero maintenance. Its fluffy plumes of white flowers attract pollinators and is another late-season bloomer.

Another interesting perennial is Trycirtis hirta/toad lily--unique flower shape and one that blooms very late in the season. The bees love it. It prefers shade but I have it growing in part sun.

You might be interested in a book entitled 'Perennials for Every Purpose' by Larry Hodgson since it allows you to narrow in on what you're attempting to accomplish in your garden beds.

How about a butterfly and hummingbird garden in your new bed? Ooops just looked up and Docmom suggested the same thing. So I second that!

Freki, what is a no-maintenance perennial bed? I don't have any of those.

LOL!! I was about to say the same. No such thing as a no-maintenance perennial. - low maybe: no-maintenance, no way! The only no-maintenance plants of any type I am aware of are those made of plastic :-)

If we plant it will they come? Even thought we are more farmy and have no surrounding gardens? Thoughts?

Favorite hummingbird or butterfly plants other than those Martha suggested?

Thanks!!