My children's 'potion' garden

[countrychic]

What a fun day I had with my two young boys today. I have always wanted to let them choose a plant from the nursery that they love and we would put it in the garden, and it would be their own special plant, not just mommy's garden. But have never got around to it, or rather I like to be alone at the nursery, not having boys running around and distracting me, lol

Last spring I bought some bronze sedum, also known as Dragon's Blood. Of course they love the name, being boys who love dragons.

Then after Halloween last year, they started making 'potions' in the garden, mixing soil, water, adding some stones, picking some leaves...mix it together..leave it in the sun until it the water stinks so bad, I throw it out.

So this spring they have been making these mixes, just like I used to make mud pies when I was young. But I noticed the Dragon's Blood has been picked. Who could resist not adding some Dragon's Blood to a potion!?

So this morning I noticed a house nearby selling more of the sedum, she had some other plants with interesting names like Lungwort.

Then I had a lightbulb moment! What about a Children's Garden filled with interesting names for them.

So I hurried over there, and came home with:
Bearded Tongue
Self-Heal
Curly Allium (looks twisty, not for the name)
Johnny Jump-ups
Turtlehead
Lungwort
Hens and Chicks
Spiderwort
Leadwort
more Dragons Blood
and a Caterpillar looking one called New Zealand Brass Button

Both boys helped me make a path inside my flowerbed, turning and twisting around the permanent large shrubs. Then along the edge of the path, we put little stones on either side, and planted all these cute plants along it. We are going to make name tags on wooden stakes and put them next to each plant. And mulch the path.

They love it! They walk along the 'jungle' path and love looking at their special plants with their interesting names that appeal to kids.

I am now on the lookout far any other weird names to add to their garden.

It is dark now, so I'll take some photos tomorrow.

[Meggylou]

that is a seriously fun and creative idea!!
My only concern is toxicity of plants. Other than that, fantastic!!!

[countrychic]

Are any of these toxic to humans? It is something I mentioned when I bought these, so I thought we chose all that weren't toxic. We have a small dog too, but she doesn't eat or dig in the garden.

Neither do my boys, they know not to eat any plants, they just dig, lol

[Meggylou]

oh no it wasn't anything you said at all!
In fact spiderwort...is edible, the entire plant.
Just something to keep in mind that's all.
I'm really impressed, I think it's a wonderful and memorable thing to do for your boys.

[Venice]

Ohhhh that's great!!!! what a wonderful idea.

I'm dying to see those pictures. I've been really interested this year in these 'themed' gardens.

Ven

[countrychic]

Here are some of the photos so far. Still need to mulch the pathway, add some name tags, and maybe a few critters here and there.

A look from outside. You wouldn't even know there was a secret garden. This is one of the beds that had gaps in, that I wanted to fill last week.

[Meggylou]

what a magical spot!
your boys will be making many happy memories for years in that place.

[countrychic]

A little further in. All along the stones, and tucked under the bigger shrubs are the new 'potion' plants.

[countrychic]

And that is it so far. Ones day's work (including shopping for the plants! lol)

Please any recommendations of other weird plants welcome!

I was also thinking of putting in a Bugsbane and a Butterfly bush here.

[murphy]

bleeding hearts
monkshood
love lies bleeding
poor mans orchid (the name my son adopted for his band)
jacobs ladder
poached egg flower
sneezewort
flea bane
dead nettle (lamium)
bee balm


some of my suggestions...this is such a cool idea..love it a lot.