This weekend I mentioned in mistemper'd weapons that I have been spending far too much time dressing up a rock garden that I will never see mature. I managed to let cotoneaster run amok and shade out most of my rock garden plants.
Looking at my alternatives, I took the William Tecumseh Sherman approach, and marched through the full wall with a scorched earth policy. The cotoneaster had risen in rebellion; it fell in ignominy.
The top photograph shows the rebellion in full force. I rather liked its "natural" garden look -- until I saw its effect.
The photograph below shows today's battlefield. Please note that even the sun shines on my work.
I need to add some compost to what remains of the soil. Then I will plant some new bedding plants that will do well in the wall. My goal is to pick a limited number of colors that will bloom from late winter to late fall.
I am not certain why I have decided to play farmer in the dell. Maybe I have spent enough time on Jonna's web site listening to her plant choices that I just needed to get back in the game.
On Saturday I will take a trip to the nursery to see if I can find just the right mixture of tender plants to survive the winter. And then the garden will be on its own -- to be raised by wolves.
9 comments:
great job steve! now, you are still keeping us in suspense about your new plans for your move. come on, we're eager to hear ;-)
ahhh, our weather is probably about the same as yours, rain, rain, and more rain. i just took a walk in the stuff, but it felt great. love to start my day with exercise.
have a nice day!
teresa
Wow, what a difference. Good job.
Thanks, Brenda.
Teresa -- I am finishing up my new idea. As soon as I have it in plan shape, I will share it wth all.
It looks wonderful Steve. I always have a hard time hacking back the overly successful and yanking out the failures. I think really accomplished gardeners are more ruthless.
I kind of like the idea of your creating a beautiful space and leaving it to the wolves or the elements or the garden fairies.
Hi Steve. It really looks very nice both ways. Your home is wonderful and you know it sounds to me like you are doing things to your home that you say you haven't done in a while, and I realize it's because of being on the market, but I think just maybe, your heart is speaking to you. Maybe I'm wrong, I don't know. Give Jiggs a hug for me. Take care.
Curious to see the final look but I actually like the "before" wall better.
One word, PANSIES. They make it through rain, sleet and snow. Do you get sleet and snow there? I hope not......
It has warmed up in San Miguel - I've been in sandals, shorts and a tank top for three days - yee ha. (I have changed clothes though, the previous sentence read as though I had been in the same clothes..... Living in the moment, for sure.
Jonna -- I also think there is something therapeutic (perhaps insane) in succumbing to the delusion that we can control nature. But the brush clearing was fun.
Gloria -- I suspect that I may merely be finding the last shred of discipline in my soul.
Wayne -- But you are merely seeing the intermediate stage. When planted it will look -- well, immature. But it will grow.
Babs -- Pansies do not work well here. Our rain causes the blooms to rot. Picture pretty little maidens with leprosy -- not a pretty picture. However, small-flowered ground covers thrive. And succulents. My problem is going to be holding back on buying too much.
Cory -- Now for the hard step: planting.
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