Freebies are the Best!

By Skeeter One day the Saint drove past our house as we were headed back home. We live on a dead-end street and I was wondering where he was going. He told me to just hush and I would soon know. He took me to a neighbor's house to see if I was interested in some freebies for my Georgia Garden. Well, yes, you know Free is my Friend!

This neighbor and my hubby car pool together as they work near each other. He purchased a house on our street about 2 years ago and has been slowly renovating it on the inside. Now they are ready to start working on the yard. The previous homeowner was a gardener and added many dogwoods, azaleas, evergreens, lilies amongst other pretty things to their landscaping over the many years they called this house home. The new homeowner, which I shall refer to as Dee, and his wife are not into gardening. They want to simplify the landscaping and keep things which will attracts bees away from the house. They have two young girls which do not need to be stung by bees. The lilies attract bees and they had to go. Dee was going to toss them all into a ditch but the Saint told him I may be interested in them. Ah, what a Saint I have to think of me in such a time of need. We came home with two truck loads of lilies for free! I have no idea what kind of lilies I now call my very own but I do know there are two different types. Dee says they are orange in color but that's all he knows about them.
Just look at those healthy Freebies!
When the Saint asked if I wanted the lilies, I rushed to the shed and grabbed all the empty pots I could find. I used the pots from the failed Container Vegetable Garden. Thank goodness I still had them in them in the shed. Dee had dug them all out a few days prior to me taking them but they were moist from recent rains. I knew they would not stay moist for long so I jumped into action quickly. I picked up each grouping he had dug out and placed them in the pots while Dee and the Saint loaded them in the bed of the truck for me. Then once home, I put them on the ground near where I had planned to plant some of them.
I chose the front of the Semi-Formal Garden on each side of the new arbor we created. I would love to extend them all the way to the end of the garden (on the left side in the above picture) but this area was still too soggy on planting day. That area is much lower then the remainder of the garden. I have yet to decided what will work with soggy winter conditions and also dry summer conditions during heatwave and drought times. I had to extend the garden outward by digging into the grass about 2 feet along the entire front of the Semi-Formal Garden. Digging out sod made a second chore for me. I was taking the sod and adding it to bare spots in the lawn.
I thought I could knock out that job in a few hours but it took me an entire day to get the sod out and in its new place and the lilies in their new place. It was a hot day and in the full sun so I had to take several water breaks to keep me hydrated.
I still ended up with a headache as I lost more water then I was putting into my body. But I am happy with the results of my hard work. Well, really play as I was having a ball digging in the dirt!
I ended up with 4 clumps on each side with plenty of room for them to spread. Each container had at least 6 if not more plants in them. I really needed to divide them but I had so many that needed to get into the ground that I did not take time to divide them. We can do that another day like say once they get established in a year or so. I think the total container count was 35 or there about. Yes, For Free!
My first lilies were little Dwarf's the Saint brought home to me while on a mission to replace my broken hand shovel. He was standing in line at the Garden Center and picked up two of the cuties. That was 2 years ago and I have been hooked on them! I added several new lilies to the half circle planter on the right last year. So decided to add some of the smaller Free ones to the left planter.
Here they are mingling with Balloon Flower and Lambs ear. Some things will be moved as they grow larger but will be fine for now.
Here is a close up of the round planter for this spring. I hope she fills in soon as I really like a full planter. Voluntary Black-eyed Susan, Dusty Miller, Salvia and Marigold from small slips from 6-packs and Dianthus. St Francis watches over them.
If you were wondering what is behind the new lilies, (to the right of the birdbath) here is that close-up, being Lavender. The bees are buzzing up a storm on this plant as they love it.

I had to extend an old bed and create a new bed for more of the lilies. I also received a statue and birdbath from Dee as he did not want them! You will see those at another time. Gee, FREEBIES ARE THE BEST, In the Garden...

Note: I have plans to depart my Georgia Garden for a few days so I will be MIA for a bit. I will pop in to say hey when I get a chance. I will be around to visit as soon as I am able. Everyone enjoy these beautiful mild temps while we have them...

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,In the Garden