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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Dumpster Dive Follow Up

You may remember that a couple of weeks ago, I had a dilemma about weather or not I should take plants from a dumpster outside of a nursery.  I was a little embarrassed to ask in person so I called instead, got permission, went back and pulled out some treasures.  It was getting dark, the freezing temperatures had settled in and there was a lot more on top of the plants I was seeking so I didn't pull the dumpster apart like I might have if it were light out to further explore.  I pulled out a couple of two gallon pots of variegated Hedera (yes, I know but this will be grown in deep summer shade,  will never be given the chance to climb, and will have to compete with bamboo.) and the pot containing a couple of carex varieties.  According to the tags still in the plants, the ivy was selling for $40.00 a pot, didn't check the carex pot closely enough.  The plants got thrown in the trunk of my car where they remained for about a week during our recent freeze and emerged looking lovely.   Anyway, here's what I did with the freebies.

Before - The pond looks a little bleak sans summer foliage covering the rocks.

After - a little blanket of ivy and a cascade of grass covers a multitude of sins and the price was certainly right!  I wonder if that dumpster is always so full of treasure?  It's not far from the Bonney Lassie's house so maybe I should go check out the progress on her big dig and visit the dumpster again...


Things to do:
1)Cut horsetail reed down to the pot now that it's decided to flop over. 
2) Prune Nandina domestica 'Filamentosa' (Thread-leaf Nandina) back a little so that it doesn't obscure so much of the pond's surface.
3) Move another pot of grass to the other side of the Buddha.

23 comments:

  1. I fully support your efforts at dumpster diving. I would have done it myself.

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  2. Just as long as you and Alison don't start fighting over the dumpster contents!

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    1. I don't get over there very often so I'll consider it Alison's turf!

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  3. Lovely, but I notice the koi are in a relatively shallow pond, which makes them easy pickings for birds hunting fish. An expert I know recommended a 4' minimum depth to protect fish. Ours were picked off by a stray egret miles inland. Unusual, but it happens.

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    1. It does appear that the fish are in a shallow pond but it's actually about five feet deep at the deepest point. There is a large flat rock that covers much of the deepest area and it acts as a safe place for the fish to hide should racoons drop by. We had a problem with herons and racoons but since I re dug the pond and put up the electric fence (the unsightly white yarn-like stuff surrounding the pond) the racoons haven't been back. Herons don't like it either as they land beside the pond to wade in. The electric lines hit their legs as they start to wade and they fly away in disgust. These fish have been three years now with no problem, knock on wood.

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  4. Is there anything better than free plants?!

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    1. Can't think of anything. O.K. well maybe a winning lottery ticket or free antiques but free plans are pretty darned great!

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  5. Was this dumpster at Windmill? Kudos to you for asking and then going back to rescue plants. The pond looks so much better for it. It would be awesome to see you, we should make some definite plans. I'd love to get your feedback on my crazy new front garden.

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    1. No, it was at Van Lierop. I'd love to see you too. I've got some time off after Friday - maybe we could get together after Christmas. I'd love to see your big dig and maybe we could go junking or hit some post Chistmas sales somewhere.

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  6. Big dig and a dumpster visit, sounds fun :) free plants are fab and that ivy does add some winter interest to your pond area.

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    1. Yes, The Bonney Lassie and I are long overdue for a visit! It covers some uninteresting stuff that is out of sight in the summer.

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  7. Excellent result! The contrasting forms of the ivy and the carex look so good together. It's totally your decision, of course, but I'm not sure about putting another carex on the other side of the buddha. For me, the asymmetric look is a big part of the charm of the area now (at least from the angle of this photograph). I'd put it further forward, diagonally to the left front of the horsetail reed. But maybe that's just me. Whatever you decide, you are making good use of the results of your dumpster diving.

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    1. Thanks Lyn! I love your advice. I put another carex on the other side and didn't like it so threw some other different colored evergreen plants that I had on hand around some of the rocks but not in a symmetrical way. You've got a great eye!

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  8. Free plants = happiness meter full for the week! I think you should travel up to Alison's, grab her and plant dumpster dive together. Take pics!

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  10. The Carex and ivy make nice flowing green that really look good with the water, good find! I shudder at the mention of Horsetail reed, we just had our 20th anniversary of moving into this house, and for the first 10 or more years there was no noticeable HR here, but suddenly it exploded and now is coming up in a pretty large area of a remote area of our yard with a lot of moisture from the drain field. It is very difficult to control. I suppose in the drier areas it will never be a problem. But it is useful as a medicinal herb, as long as you cut it before it gets old enough to build up toxins.

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  11. That makes a nice impact! Glad you dove right in and did it.

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  12. For sure! Another dive is in order!
    I like the way you think - and plant - and maintain...and blue things. ANYthing blue.

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  13. Nursery dumpsters for free plants? A different place, indeed:-) I say, score - the water feature now looks more like it!

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  14. Your garden has so much charm, Peter. You hit a major score with those goodies and another dive is definitely in order. This time take Alison with you and take lots of photos!!!

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  15. Thanks for this great blog. It is really a very meaningful and useful information

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.