Hi Dirt!
It's great "seeing" you again too! Hope all has been well with you! I'm still madly in love with Idaho and haven't missed Utah for even a second! Just a little challenging growing things here that the critters will leave alone!
The picture is one spot where I'm planning on planting things. It's easy to make little "pots" in between the larger rocks, and I have moved a few semps and sedum to that pile. I've got piles like this all over the place, and I have a plan that may or may not work, depending on how naughty the deer are going to be. I love the deer, but they are deer, so no telling what they are thinking! They keep removing two semps that I planted out there and have left the other 5 or 6 alone. They aren't eating them, just moving them a few feet away. I replant them daily, so we'll see how long they want to play. I hope they wear out before I do! They have also munched on an Autumn Joy sedum, which was a surprise. It's tall enough to take some nibbles, and I have lots more I can move out there if they decide it's not tasty enough to bother with.
The iris aren't in much soil at all, and they are doing fantastic. I can barely get a shovel in the ground out there, and then I have to pick out a bunch of rocks just to try and find enough soil to cover the roots. I did have to add in a little purchased garden soil in a few places too. I'm shocked at how well they have done though! I moved a bunch out there three years ago and they are thriving even better than the ones in the actual garden, where there are little to no rocks. So, I'm moving a bunch more out there! Thankfully the deer have never eaten them or even tasted them that I can see, but they are enjoying stepping on the newly transplanted ones. Next year will be better because all of the natural grasses will have grown back by then. I just weed whacked it this year to make it easier on me.
I just took at look at the Eriogonum, and I might have some seed for that. I know I've got buckwheat seed, but I'm not sure if it's the same plant or not. I'm really glad you mentioned it because I've never known where to put the buckwheat. Me and my seed purchases! I also have some candytuft that will probably do good if I add enough of something for drainage. I haven't had any luck getting them to grow here yet, but I'll keep trying.
Here are the iris in the general area that the rock pile above is. It looked so pretty out there this year! Can't wait to see it next year!
