Spring is the perfect time to tackle garden enhancement projects. Recently, we spent a day in our Zone 6A garden in upstate New York adding new specimen trees, transplanting struggling perennials to better locations, and setting up our proven deer protection system. These strategic improvements will enhance our garden's beauty while ensuring our precious plants remain safe from hungry visitors.

Japanese Maple Magic: Planting Metamorphosa

Our first project focused on adding a stunning new Japanese maple variety to our east border. When selecting a location for a specimen tree, we consider several key design elements:

1. Size and form: How the tree's structure will interact with surrounding plants
2. Texture: Creating contrast between different foliage types
3. Color repetition: Incorporating our four-color palette of blue, green, red, and gold tones

The Metamorphosa Japanese maple from Proven Winners perfectly satisfies these criteria. This newer introduction features dissected leaves that emerge with a yellow-chartreuse color, developing pink margins that fade to white. As summer progresses, the foliage blushes with orangey-red tones before turning a deep violet-red in fall.

What makes this maple particularly special is its more shrubby, compact habit. With a variable height of 3-13 feet (suggesting its size is controllable and sun-dependent), it's perfect for nestling beneath our Eastern redbud tree where it will receive 4-6 hours of filtered sunlight.

Planting Process:

We planted our Metamorphosa in a spot previously occupied by a Gertrude Jekyll rose that struggled in the location's part-shade conditions. The maple's placement within a sea of perennials—primarily Bumblesky meadow sage with pale blue flowers and serendipity alliums—creates a perfect backdrop that will showcase its distinctive foliage.

Here's our simple planting approach:

1. Evaluate the existing hole and amend minimally with Coast of Maine Cobscook Blend in-ground garden soil
2. Leave existing leaf litter in the hole to decompose naturally
3. Remove the tree from its container, exposing the root flare slightly above soil level
4. Test different angles to ensure the tree visually complements the swooping form of the nearby redbud
5. Backfill firmly around the roots while avoiding compaction
6. Water thoroughly to eliminate air pockets and help the tree recover from shipping stress

We were pleased to notice how several years of mulching with compost has dramatically improved our soil quality. What was once chalky, clumpy backfill has transformed into richer, more workable garden soil.

Birches and Dogwoods: Creating a Wetland Vignette

Our garden includes a naturally low, wet area where we've installed a small dry creek bed to manage water flow. This spot provided the perfect opportunity to add an Avalanche birch, a Japanese variety known for its exceptionally white bark and resistance to borers.

We positioned this new specimen near an existing river birch clump planted in 2019, which has grown impressively from a similar small size. The Avalanche birch's bright white bark will create striking contrast against the nearby Green Giant arborvitae and blue Moffett juniper.

To enhance this wetland vignette, we also transplanted an Arctic Fire red twig dogwood that prefers consistently moist conditions. The combination of the dogwood's red winter stems, the birch's white bark, the juniper's icy blue, and the arborvitae's deep green perfectly executes our four-color design palette.

When planting in wet areas:

• Embrace the natural conditions rather than fighting them
• Select moisture-loving species that will thrive without additional irrigation
• Consider seasonal interest, particularly winter structure when deciduous plants are bare
• Allow adequate space for mature sizes (the Avalanche birch will eventually reach 50' tall by 30' wide)

Transplanting for Success: Moving Delphinium to Sunnier Pastures

No garden stays static, and sometimes plants need to be relocated as conditions change or initial placements prove less than ideal. We noticed our Connecticut Yankee mix delphiniums were struggling in a too-shady location, causing them to flop rather than stand tall.

Our Transplanting Process:

1. Identify candidates for relocation: Plants showing signs of stress or poor performance in their current spots
2. Carefully extract with minimal root disturbance: We separated the delphiniums from surrounding ajuga groundcover
3. Divide when appropriate: Natural divisions in the clumps allowed us to increase our plant count
4. Select an improved location: We chose a sunnier spot near our Little Lime Punch hydrangeas and Lark Ascending roses
5. Install support structures immediately: We used decorative Jardin stakes with connecting twine to support the tall stems

This strategic relocation offers multiple benefits:

• The delphiniums will receive more sunlight, encouraging stronger stems and better flowering
• Their bloom time will precede the hydrangeas', creating sequential interest
• The cottage garden combination of delphiniums and roses creates a classic pairing
• The existing ajuga groundcover remains undisturbed in its preferred shady location

Deer Defense: Setting Up the Yard Enforcer System

With all our new plantings and emerging spring growth, protecting our garden from deer became our final priority. After success last season with motion-activated sprinklers, we expanded our deer deterrent system to cover more vulnerable areas, particularly our prized hydrangea collection.

How the Yard Enforcer Works:

This clever system combines multiple deterrents to effectively keep deer away:

• Motion detection triggers a startling sprinkler activation
• The mechanical ratcheting sound frightens animals
• A spray of water creates an unexpected, uncomfortable experience
• Battery-powered sensors allow placement anywhere in the garden

We installed two units to protect our hydrangea room and valuable border plantings:

1. Strategic placement: Units positioned to detect entry from typical deer pathways
2. Adjustable settings: Range and spray patterns customized to cover specific areas
3. Night-time activation: Timer set for evening hours when deer are most active
4. Connected system: Multiple units linked to a single water source for efficient operation

Using flexible fabric hoses helped us navigate around existing plantings while providing the necessary water pressure. Once the emerging lamium groundcover fills in, the hoses will be virtually invisible in the landscape.

The proof of this system's effectiveness? Last year, our hydrangeas remained completely untouched by deer despite their presence in the neighborhood.

Reflections on Spring Garden Projects

These early spring projects demonstrate how thoughtful additions and adjustments can significantly enhance a garden's beauty and resilience. By selecting plants suited to specific microclimates (like wet areas or dappled shade), relocating struggling specimens to more favorable conditions, and protecting our investments from wildlife damage, we're setting our garden up for success this growing season.

What makes these projects particularly satisfying is how they build on our garden's existing framework. The new Japanese maple complements the established redbud while adding a new textural element. The Avalanche birch enhances an already successful birch grouping. The transplanted delphiniums will create new color echoes with neighboring roses and hydrangeas. And our expanded deer protection system builds on last year's proven success.

As your garden awakens this spring, consider what strategic additions or adjustments might take your landscape to the next level. Sometimes the most impactful changes aren't about adding dozens of new plants, but rather about making thoughtful enhancements that build on your garden's existing strengths.

Thanks for growing with us!