Patio and Shrubs

The landscapers finished laying Colorado sandstone as a south patio for me. I took some of the extra flagstones and laid them out provisionally to see where the shrubs will go. I have to leave room for the dogwood (see below) between the walkway and the house on both the south and east sides.I may start planting shrubs with six Arctic Fire dogwood Cornus sericea which will cost either $35 for 5-gallon locally (if they actually have them - the name they use is different) or $25 plus shipping for 1-gallon if mail-order. These have red twigs and grow only 3-4’, which is perfect for under the windows (but then that is why I hired a local landscape architect). I studied the original landscape design drawing and figure that I can put in at least six of the originally-specified eleven.

The next will probably be Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), which can get to be small trees — but probably not in this extreme southern end of their range. They will need organic material added to our clay soil to keep them from too much water (assuming it ever rains again). Tolerates our alkaline soils well, however. Will provide fruit for the birds in Fall. This species was planted on the molybdenum mine overburden at Questa, NM. Fertilization at time of planting increased the crown width but reduced survival (93% to 27%) and root density markedly. These will be farther from the house.

To cover the berms I will plant creeping sand cherry. This probably means Prunus besseyi (var. Pawnee Buttes), which are very drought-tolerant.

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