For today's Wednesday Vignette hosted by Anna at Flutter and Hum, here are the three pictures of my garden that comprised my first blog post six years ago today followed by views from similar vantage points today.
Six years of posting at least five days a week, 1,600 posts, 1,300,000 views and thousands of comments later finds the garden looking similar bu a tad more overgrown than it did then.
This temporary gate has been replaced but the plants here are pretty much the same.
Like most bloggers, I have found the best part of this adventure has been corresponding with and even meeting so many wonderful gardeners from around the world, hearing of their garden woes and triumphs, sharing a bit of their lives. There are people who I've never met in person who have become "imaginary friends." Are these virtual groups a way of creating community in our changing society? Is this the new garden club? Whatever it is, I'm grateful for each and every one of you.
Sadly, Eastern Filbert Blight is progressing and a large chunk of the Contorted Filbert had to be removed this year. This tree has been with me for 25 years and I hate to see it go. Ah, but change is inevitable in the garden and in life.
For now the Contorted Filbert (Corylus avellana 'Contorta') remains. What to do when the tree finally gives up the ghost, remove the tree entirely or leave it for sculptural interest? It grew considerably in the last six years and it's absence would be very obvious. Should I start again with a blight-resistant red leaved contorted filbert, plant something entirely different? Laziness has set in as the hose was left in place for this picture.
Thank you for being part of the fun, for reading, commenting, laughing along with me. Today is also my first day of summer break and I'm looking forward to six weeks of playing in the garden.
Happy beginning of summer (for you)! This was a fun look back at your garden. I'm so glad to have befriended you through blogging, and that you have mentored me in the ways of plant hoarding and coveting. I'll be sad if you lose that filbert, I remember the size of it blew my mind when I first saw it.
ReplyDeleteThanks pal, the feeling is mutual! You have a natural talent in those areas that didn't require mentoring but it's sure fun to nursery hop with you.
DeleteYour garden is always so fun and jungle like in pictures. Sorry about the filbert. Maybe you can let a vine grow up it or something, though I would probably take the opportunity to remove it and start something new (I love a construction type project).
ReplyDeleteWe'll have to see what happens with the filbert. The contorted branches left in place and painted blue might be an interesting option.
DeleteWhat great changes (well, minus the filbert, obviously)! I love these kinds of progress pictures. What if you replaced the filbert with an extension of the "danger gardenette"? Thank you for sharing your garden with us!
ReplyDeleteBecause I made a hill for the filbert when I planted it, drainage there is great and the thought of planting some hardy agaves and cacti in the ground there certainly crossed my mind.
DeleteTake your time before replacing the filbert. I'm sure sooner or later youl will have an idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your nice words about the garden blogger world. I totally agree, blogging is a wonderful way to find other garden friends, even around the world.
Enjoy your summer break!
Waiting and taking time to think about a replacement if and when the filbert makes an exit is good advice. Thank you.
DeleteCongratulations Peter. It's always a pleasure to see a new post pop up from you. Either you'll have found that perfect new plant for my list or you'll have me laughing out loud. Usually both. Have a fun summer!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jessica, the feeling is mutual!
DeleteHappy 6th anniversary!!! I'm glad to have found your blog and hope you'll still be posting 6 years further down the road. If you remove the filbert, you might want to give yourself a little time to contemplate the view without it before planting anything else there (which is not to suggest that I actually have that kind of patience when an area opens up...).
ReplyDeleteThanks Kris, I'm glad to have found your blog too and feel like I know you even though we've never met. The filbert was one of the first things I planted here so it'll be interesting to see the view without it if and when it finally succumbs to the blight. Time and contemplation - good advice.
DeleteYou are having a hallmark day! Happy Bogaversary. I am so happy I found your blog this past year. It is so remarkable how you can garden with so many plants and your creativity is boundless. Thanks for sharing it all with us. Now cut loose and enjoy your break.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words and excellent advice which I will definitely follow!
DeleteI always enjoy your posts Peter-you have taken us to so many places! You are a great resource for a PNW nursery crawl. One could easily plan an itinerary using The Outlaw Gardener as a guidebook.I removed a mature tree this year myself, but it was despised so I feel no remorse. I did however have some trepidation about the 3 mature and very large rose bushes I dug up this winter -a hatchet was involved- but now that they are gone I am really enjoying choosing plants to fill the vast new space !
ReplyDeleteThanks K.S. It's always interesting to have a new space open up as new plants somehow seem to show up all the time here.
DeleteHappy blogaversary! You are a blogging machine--I don't know how you do it that often. Kudos! It's so interesting to see the "then" and "now" photos. Happy continued blogging and gardening!
ReplyDeleteThanks Beth. It's just become a habit.
DeleteHappy Blogiversary, Peter! Always love your posts, showing us the wonders of your garden and the PNW. Here's to many more years of great gardening!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Eliza!
DeleteI've been following your blog for a few years now, although not from the beginning. I often start my morning with your post, it feed my spirit and then I'm ready for the day. I hope you continue for many years to come.
ReplyDeleteWhen I visited your garden last year, I was taken aback by the size of the Contorted Filbert. It would be hard to see it go, but if any plant has sculptural interest, this is the one!
Thanks Chava. Hope you have a great gardening weekend!
DeleteIt enriched my life when I discovered your blog. Actually that happened because you and Alison visited MY garden on an NPA Open Garden, and somehow blogging was mentioned.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about having discovered you and your blog. You do so many interesting things!
DeleteCongratulations! Sorry to hear about the contorted filbert. (What a great name!)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. Plants sometimes die. It's the way of the garden.
DeleteAre you serious? Six years!?! Congrats! I am so lucky to know you, and so glad you started, and have stuck with, blogging. Happy summer days ahead!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to believe that we've known each other that long already. Seems like just yesterday that I visited your garden for the first time.
DeleteCongratulations on 6 years of blogging. I always enjoy glimpses of your garden and greenhouse and vicariously enjoying your nursery visits. So glad to be one of your 'imaginary friends'. Sad about the filbert, but if you move it, think of the fun you will have planning its replacement.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your summer break.
Thanks Chloris, It's been a joy getting to know other gardeners like yourself. Peeking into your garden through your blog is always a treat!
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