Yesterday, I celebrated my first day of summer break by spending dawn to dusk working in the garden. What's disappointing is that one really can't tell. So many are the layers that the removal of a couple of 15 - 20 foot shrubs isn't noticeable except for the leaf-strewn path to the yard waste bins. One of victims was a Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' which has great color, leaf form, and blooms but it was casting too much shade on more favored plants so it was cut down to four feet, and a hanging basket of calibrachoa, a gift from work, was placed between the upright naked trunks. The elderberry will regrow in time, they always do, but for now it's just sticks. Next, out came the Deutzia × hybrida 'Strawberry Fields.' It was a difficult decision as it's such a glorious thing when in bloom. However, the rest of the summer, it's just a big green blob and isn't at all interesting in the winter. In addition, the petals fall all over everything in the area. It was a good choice for the spot when I put it in but then a Trachycarpus fortunei went in nearby. Now the palm has attained a nice size but couldn't be fully appreciated with the Deutzia hanging all over it. The removal left space for a few refugees from the pot ghetto to get planted tomorrow. Not really the kinds of projects that should be done just a couple of weeks before an open garden but now's when I have time. There were lots of other tasks that got started but those two were actually completed. The result? There are tools strewn throughout the garden, pots, yard waste piles, bags of manure to add to the soil are everywhere, half of the topiary tree has a haircut, and it looks as if a tornado ravaged the place.
Did I take before and after pictures? Nope. I didn't even know what I was going to do today other than play in the garden. There are certainly drawbacks to being an abstract random gardener or is it GADD (Gardening Attention Deficit Disorder?) Hey look, a flower.
A new addition, found at Molbak's a few months ago it's about four feet tall and a little over a foot in diameter.
All that previous stuff was an excuse for only posting one picture today. Going to bed instead of working on a post will let me get an early start in the garden on Thursday.
There is nothing I love more than spending the entire day doing just what you did, often emerging dirty and sweaty. I actually get annoyed by the fact that I have to stop to eat, and most days I have to interrupt things by driving to the station to pick up Nigel after work. Enjoy your heavenly havoc.
ReplyDeleteI love being able spend the day like that. Summer is a busy time for me at work, but I always manage to carve out a few days to just be able to work outside.
ReplyDeleteYou started summer break in the best possible way!
ReplyDeleteBefore and after pictures would have been nice but that one bloom makes up for it. Yowza! Is there a name to go along with the picture?
It's a metal flower and hasn't told me it's name yet.
DeleteI almost never take "before" shots either. It sounds like you got a LOT done, though. I'm sure everything will look great for your open garden - and I'm sure you'll be getting a good night's sleep after each and every day of heavy lifting in the garden.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! Is that flower for real??? I love it!
ReplyDeleteHappy summer gardening. I can only work outside an hour or two as it is so hot and humid down here in s.e. FL.
FlowerLady
What a realistic (yet fantastically sized) flower! I hope you're not too sore from all that work. At least it helps one sleep well. ;)
ReplyDeletePeter, as you well know, we're famous for removing things that get out of hand around here. I used to feel guilty about cutting down trees, shrubs, what have you, but I remember Adrian Bloom's advice about trees becoming almost a part of the family, but if they must come down, there is always something new waiting in the wings for the spot. And presto, out comes the chainsaw! Love your flower!
ReplyDeleteNothing better than being able to work all day in the garden, so satisfying. Sambucus Black Lace does get a bit tall doesn't it, I usually cut one third down each year to keep it under control.
ReplyDeleteLove your huge flower!
You go girl! The time you have time is the best time for any project...said some wise person.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't it feel great to just be out in the garden and getting things done as you feel like doing rather than some slap dash must do it now project. Enjoy. And yes, I love your new flower. It must be shy if it hasn't given it's name to you.
ReplyDeleteVery cool! I like it! No excuses needed.
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ReplyDeleteNice...thanks for sharing this information..
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