Many folks don’t realize how the entrance to their garden sets their mood, as you drive in and out. Even apartment complexes now spend money on a somewhat higher quality of landscaping, understanding that it helps people feel better about where they live. Here is a recent shot of our home drive as we enter and exit from the adjacent public road. The gold groundcover is Juniperus conferta ‘All Gold’. Yucca rostrata forms the background, and the purple flowers in the foreground are Scabiosa columbaria ‘Mariposa Blue’.
Absolutely beautiful!
Simply stunning. When you say there’s no place like home, you are quite correct.
You have sandy soil, right? Is the Yucca and juniper on a constructed or natural hill, and is it just native sandy soil or did you use some recycled concrete and/or permatill, etc.?
I’ve had issues with conferta in red (good) clay and wondering if berming and amending with permatill is nearly necessary (except during exceptional droughts, of course). It’s a little annoying that permatill has shot up to $100/yd wholesale at mine and $200 retail here, but I don’t know of anything else quite like it. Maybe charcoal/biochar, which is not readily available and probably less permanant, though longer lasting than pine fines.
This is in our standard garden soil mix of 50% native soil (sandy loam), and 50% compost. Most Juniperus conferta cultivars aren’t fabulous here, but J. conferta ‘All Gold’ is a completely different plant, thriving anywhere we grow it. Interesting that the cost of Permatill has increased, but then, so has most everything else.
I spoke to someone at the plant, and he said the company had been family owned, but sold out to a larger Texas company. Permatill is also used in lightweight concrete, and pricing of the horticultural division was brought up to match. He also mentioned they have shipped a lot to the Middle East, I’m not sure if for concrete, skyscraper rooftop gardens, or who knows what else.
What do you think of ‘All Gold’ vs ‘Copper Harbor’ in terms of adaptability and rot resistance, habit, aesthetics? It seems like Copper Harbor isn’t as gold/yellow in summer and the winter copper may be less universally appreciated, though seasonal changes are interesting.
Thanks.
I truly love both clones. Juniperus ‘Copper Harbor’ is much flatter, and is gold in summer, and copper color in winter. Juniperus ‘All Gold’ stays bright gold all year, and is much taller, reaching 12-15″ tall. It also is a much faster spreader than J. ‘Copper Harbor’.
Hi there,
Do you know if these (Yucca rostrate) are planted at the side entrance of Meredith College on Faircloth Street? I’ve passed by this entrance so many times and wondered what those incredible “Palm trees” were! (Hah!) After seeing this post I’m pretty sure they are Yucca rostrata! There are about 5-6 of them planted on each side of the entrance, and I’m guessing they must be about 10′ tall, maybe? They are gorgeous.
Anyway thought you might know. (?)
Thanks!
Mary
Yes, they are stunning specimens of Yucca rostrata.
Oh, thanks for answering! I’m so glad to know what they are! 😉
Mary
Oh, thanks for this answer! I’m so glad to know what they are! 😉
Mary