Now that the Chinese privet is gone, this open wall needs something. It's the focal point you see from the deck looking down the yard. It's in deep shade by the wall in the morning but bright hot sun in the afternoons.
> I thought about a stand of hollyhocks. What could be more classic "Santa Fe" than hollyhocks by the doorway? They would provide drama and a visual focus.
But they are coarse plants, and perhaps too big for this space. I'd need to let them grow to see anything, and there would be nothing in spring or winter.> I thought about a tightly grouped planting of several nicotiana alata plants. I liked them in the pot behind the deck, and they would be more elegant (and fragrant) than hollyhocks, although not as tall. But again, nothing to see in spring or winter.
And the site might be too harsh in the afternoon sun with reflected light off the wall. The big tobacco leaves might scorch, and the flowers -- so pretty and fragrant in the cool of the day, close up in the afternoons.
Another option that doesn't involve planting things is to put the black mesh patio table by the door.
I actually like the simplicity of it with a green watering can and a few pots in that empty spot now as you look down the yard.
It keeps the side of the doorway open feeling, but gives some structure, repeating the black metal of the patio things.
But it's not much, the scale of it is small and I am ditzing over what to put on and around the table. I'd use more containers, different levels, potted herbs.
Or try strawberries in the long plastic troughs again? 🍓
An alternative to the small table would be the two metal plant stands that are in the garage now.
But I'm concerned it might look fussy and staged and too small.
