True, a mailbox can be a purely functional contraption. A simple black metal box on a pole will get the job done. But for most suburbanites, the mailbox is the first thing guests see when they drive up. It creates that first impression of your home. It can extend a warm, welcoming invitation or give them the cold shoulder. With a mailbox as plain as ours, even the mail carrier was tempted to drive by without stopping. It was time for a makeover.
We began by clearing out the weeds around our old mailbox. Because the area was invaded with nutgrass, we first pulled the weeds, waited a week until the tender new sprouts appeared, and then sprayed them with a nonselective herbicide. We were careful to avoid spraying the existing Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens), which was attempting to wind its way up the old mailbox.
Next, we dug around the existing corner bed, expanding it and creating a clean border edge. Then, using a garden fork to turn over the soil, we mixed in a little leaf mold to improve it. It's wise to measure the bed and sketch it out to estimate how many plants can fit in the space. Browsing through some garden magazines and books gave us clues of the plants we wanted. We looked for plants that would blend together well, not require much watering or other maintenance, and not block the view of the street from the driveway.
Ornamental grass makes a nice backdrop, and we liked the maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus') in particular. Because some varieties of maiden grass grow as tall as 9 feet, we were careful to select a smaller variety and use it at the back so it wouldn't dominate the scene or obstruct the view. We decided some type of small evergreen, stepping down in height, would stand out in front of the grasses and give the planting an accent during the winter. For added punch, we placed them in terra-cotta pots.
The existing Carolina jessamine vine climbing the post was a good idea, but because it was struggling to survive, we bought another one. The long blooming season and drought resistance of 'Autumn Joy' sedum also attracted us. It is irresistible to bees, so if you are allergic to bee stings, consider another flowering perennial. We decided that a few 'Little Bunny' dwarf fountain grasses (Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Little Bunny') by the street would harmonize well with the taller maiden grasses at the back. Both grasses are drought resistant, and the tufted plumes look attractive as they emerge in mid-summer and last through winter as dried arrangements. For some color, we left small areas (approximately 2 x 3 feet) on either side of the mailbox for seasonal annuals.
