Hi all,

I've not been around for what feels like forever, I've missed you!
I've finally got a date for moving - Jan 15th, it's going to be a mad rush so soon after the new year but I can wait to go.

I've been pondering a project - a cetlic knot garden, but instead of the traditional herbs or mini hedges I wondered if it could be done with semps? Or maybe brick to outline the 'knots' and semps planted in the spaces?
It's going to be a long term planning exercise for the time being - I don't want to make it in the garden we're moving to because we'll likely only be there a year, 18 months at longest. So I have plenty of time to plan it all out, but I just wondered what your thoughts might be on the practicalities of such a bed.

Hiya Kate, Welcome back! We've missed you and glad that you have finally gotten news of move date.
The Knot garden looks like it would be a great project. I've never seen one before so I Googled and looked at some of the images. From the array of images, I noticed some gardens don't necessarily have the "knots". Some designs stay flat. Anyway my thought regarding semps is that there are the mounding types that you could consider that would give more height in their growth than the other semps that gave more of a spreading out pattern.
Sometimes in a project, the most fun is the planning of all the possibilities. Do have loads of fun! and I'd like to see what you come up with.

Kate, so glad you are back. Could you use some upright sedums to mimic the hedge effect?
I just know it is going to be really lovely.

Am looking forward to your ideas along with the others on the forum who are so creative, like Bev and Lynn and Greg
and ...... oh you know all the others.

Check out some of the pictures on this site:
http://ledgeandgardens.typepad...

The whole legend and garden has some wonderful pics.

Marilyn, you are so kind...

Marilyn, you are so kind... for the link (loved the camels) and the compliment.

Kate, it is so good to see you back. Very happy for you news of the upcoming move.
I found this idea of a table top knot garden. Seems it would be very easy to use Marilyn's suggestion of a combination of sedum and semps.
Maybe Sedum lydium and hispanicum for the hedge parts? These are pretty easy to prune into shapes.

Great sedum ideas for Kate's project!

Congrats Kate on your move! I hope it doesn't get too hectic with moving again in just a couple years! Guess you should plant in pots! (what about doing a knot with potted semps and sedums?)

are you moving anywhere nice ?

been googling celtic knots very interesting...

Thanks for all the lovely suggestions, I love the idea of using sedums too and also the table top idea has lots of promise given that I could plant it and take it with me when I move again. I love you guys!

Not far Mick, around a mile and a half down the road from where I live now.

What is your weather like now Kate?

Very mild for the time of year Lynn, in the 40's by day mostly. I see on the news that there's been an awful lot of the white stuff across the pond, how are everyone's gardens doing?

Some of my planted arrangements in containers have frozen members. I sprung into action and hauled the rest of the arrangements into the closest room of the house: my exercise room which is at a steady 55 degrees. Hopefully the semps are doing OK outside. We have experience the low 20's a few days back...

Your semps should do just fine Bev. Not sure what your other frozen plants are? Wow, is that unusually cold for you?

Been here in Northern CA for just 3 years and I have not seen temps in the low 20's...until this winter. Frozen plants: leaves of aeonium and branches of Portulacaria afra.
Don't want to take chances with all the planted containers of echeveria and sedum and crassula and graptos and pachys, etc

Semps are on their own out there NAKED...and I do worry but trying to be strong.

A big planter with several echeverias and sedum survived last year's low 30's and maybe I will throw that planter back out there to be near side of house and with a cloth thrown over it = Tuff Love.

I have several tenders that have made it through 3 winters staying outdoors on the covered deck. I need to take a look at them Sat. and see how they fared in the 6 degree cold?

Good luck and hope nothing is frozen!
It was the numbers 4 degrees and 20% that made me think I needed to move out of WA and go someplace warmer.
Somebody told me that they decided where to settle after they tied the snow shovel to the car and then they drove somewhere where people asked them what that was tied to the car.

that's funny!! Can't shovel rain! Bev your semps are going to be fine and they'll get some interesting coloration! Your other plants should just stay inside for a little while though!! (in my opinion!)