Ferns, Phlox, and Fountain
This is one of the busiest weeks of the year at work, so I’m doing another short post.
First of all, I wanted to show you a picture of our new fountain, all settled in and with the Cinnamon Ferns (Osmundastrum cinnamomea) growing up around it. The birds seem quite happy with this new source of water. However, you may notice that my attempts to make the fountain level have failed. Some time this summer I will attempt to move the fountain onto a large paver which (I hope) will be easier to keep level.
At the base of the fountain there is a clump of Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaritica) and the last flowers of the Heartleaf Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla). These keep the color going now that the Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) are done.
Speaking of Woodland Phlox, this is a plant I have almost given up on because rabbits find it so delectable. Most of the Phlox I have planted has been turned into bunny chow. As a result, I currently have only a few small, scattered clumps. I’m sorry, but the heartache is too much for me. Under some circumstances it may be better to have loved and lost, etc., but not when rabbits are eating your phlox.
Still, I do enjoy the clumps that are currently blooming.
gardeninacity 
Love the new fountain. A little bird told me you are now a 5 star Bird B&B.
We will be listed in the next avian edition of Lonely Planet.
I love the phlox. Pity the bunnies get to it first. The fountain looks wonderful nestled amongst the ferns
Thanks, they really do seem to complement each other.
Thanks for your beautiful newsletter.
I adore your fountain! What is it, and where did you get it?
Diane
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Beautiful scene! What is the fountain, and where did you get it, if you don’t mind saying?
Thanks! We got the fountain at Chalet in Wilmette. Do you live in the Chicago area?
No, I’m in Iowa, and the traffic driving from where I am to Chicago is not something I would do voluntarily. But I love that fountain. Do you happen to know who makes it? Or the name of the store in Willmette?
I drive from Chicago to the Quad Cities several times a year so I know what you mean. The store is called Chalet, but I don’t know the manufacturer.
Oh my. I have thought Iwould like to get some woodland phlox going in my garden but I do have rabbits in the garden. Maybe I should not try that. I don’t like the feeling that I want to kill the bunnies due to eating my garden. I guess I shouldn’t tempt them. That blue color is fantastic though. Nice bird bath.
Maybe start with just a couple of plants and see what happens.
The fountain looks great nestled in among the ferns–cool and refreshing. I’m sad for your dilemma with the phlox. These are a beautiful color against the green ferns.
They really are, aren’t they?
I want a fountain now too! I wouldn’t have noticed the slant had you not mentioned it, I guess we’re always our worst critic.
Too bad about the phlox. The bunnies around here are extremely lazy, and if I stick a few twigs into the ground around the plant they don’t bother sticking their noses through to nibble. Of course then you see twigs in front of your phlox….
Huh, I like the anti-bunny defense idea. Very creative.
I love your new fountain nestled in with the ferns. Looks beautiful, level or not. 🙂
Thanks!
Urbus in Horto, thanks for sharing: Have a stone birdbath in our flower bed: used crushed limestone, river rocks, pea gravel, paver stones, etc. Never quite achieve desired level or balance. Close enough for the birds. They (the aves, the tiny ones) also take a dip in the dog’s water bowl. Enjoy the rain today.
You’re right that the birds probably don’t care much if it is level, as long as it is not toppling over.
Maybe it’s time you eat your rabbits. OK, just kidding. I guess we’re lucky with ours. They’re hidden by other plants, and the rabbits have plenty of other stuff to eat. Your fountain looks so naturally placed right among the ferns.
Rabbit stew is quite tasty, as Elmer Fudd will attest. I have no problem eating rabbit.
I love the simplicity and beauty of your fountain.
Thanks!
Reblogged this on Beautify inside and out and commented:
Just beautiful!
Thank you so much for the share!
U r welcome.
This is how I imagine a perfect birdbath setting. I’m jealous and reassessing my own settings after this inspiration.
Your fountain looks wonderful sitting amongst the ferns and Phlox. I cannot grow Phlox divaritica with or without bunnies, but I share your pain. They have just ring barked my new Magnolia Elizabeth so they are public enemy number one here.
Those evil rabbits! They did the same to my Amelanchiers.
The critters…so beloved and so despised, all at the same time. Your smattering of phlox that escaped the marauders makes for a perfect vignette with the ferns and the fountain. Lovely!
I’m glad they left some for me.
It’s always nice to have the sound of running water in a garden. It’s hard to come up with a replacement for phlox that rabbits won’t eat. Dames rocket maybe?
Isn’t Dames Rocket considered an invasive? I use a lot of Brunnera and Jacob’s Ladder.
How quickly your fountain has naturalized! Y’know….I’d leave it as is, it looks so lovely and is obviously still great for the birds…..oh…..I feel your pain re the bunnies……my dogs smash everything up and it hurts!xxx
I feel lucky that the bunnies don’t eat my phlox…stunning fountain!
You are lucky, how did you arrange that?
Good luck with work Jason! Your fountain looks beautiful nestled among those ferns!! And I hear you on rabbit chow….I have been using granulated garlic and spreading that around plants that they have been eating…foam flower for me and my coneflowers. It has been working so far. Your vignette up there is gorgeous! Have a great weekend! Nicole
Granulated garlic, huh. Thanks for the tip.
Your fountain and ferns are really beautiful Jason. I’ve tried to grow Phlox divaritica here but lose it to either the elements or voles. I love it though the fragrance is wonderful.
Beautiful, as always, Jason! I keep finding bunnies in my front garden so the odds that I will wake up one day to a decimated garden are high. It would be so much more convenient if they’d eat the grass, instead. We’d never have to mow.
I have clover growing in the lawn, which is something they like to eat. If only they would be satisfied with that.
The fountain looks pretty level to me, but I do understand what you’re going through. I spent three years trying to get my birdbath level!
Well, then I don’t feel so bad.
Very nice vignette, Jason.
Your water feature with ferns is a stunning partnership.
Thank you!
I have been building up soil in a new planting area to make a kind of woodland garden mostly because I really really want to grow Phlox divaritica. I think it is So beautiful. I love your arrangement. I hope you don;t mind if I copy you. The brunnera looks great juxtaposed.
Go ahead and copy! I hope the P. divaritica does well for you!