More Ice Damage (Update)

BY SKEETER

JUNE 13, 2013

 A year ago, I brought home a beautiful Oleander plant from the "Giant Plant Sale" (GPS) at nearby McCorkles Nursery.

June 24, 2013

I planted the beauty in my GEORGIA GARDENS and she gave me plenty of pink blooms.

Feb. 13, 2014

Then that awful Ice Storm hit us in February. The Saint is standing in the "Iced Over" garden of the Oleander. And that "Arched" tree remains in that position as of today! We'll get to it at some point if Mother Nature does not first.

June 10, 2014

 I feared the Oleander was a goner. Sigh... But I hung in there and let her be all Spring long.

June 10, 2014

 By NOT rushing to pull her out of the ground, I now have a new Oleander popping up from below! I did not loose her after all. But how many of you would have let this plant be that long without pulling it from the ground? Not me until this year. With that strange Ice Storm, nothing has been on track this year so I just ignored the dead plant and looking at it on June 10th, I found new growth below! I am still holding out hope for my Banana Trees as they have not shown as of today. But that hope is less and less each day.

June 26, 2012

I put this mailbox into place some time ago in hopes a bird would make a home in it. 

Oct. 24, 2013

So far, no bird has nested in it and Not either of the 2 Clematis I have planted by it have taken root. 

Feb. 17, 2014

I am sad to say, the Ice Storm took down a large Pine Limb which landed on top of the mailbox. Yes, that was one brutal Ice Storm to my gardens as well as our woods and trees.

June 6, 2014

 But, we always bounce back. I hammered out the dents and put a fresh coat of paint on the mailbox and changed it up a bit in the process. It is now Blue with Clouds and sporting some Bees instead of the butterfly.



June 6, 2014
 

 White Yarrow has taken off below the Mailbox, a Lily and few other things have been added to the area as well this year.

June 6, 2014

I am still on the lookout for a Clematis or some other type vine to climb up that Mailbox.

 I have made a Positive from the Ice Storm. Here you see my Vitex flourishing by a new planter.

 I took a few of the logs from the many downed trees we had from the Ice Storm and made a new Planter! By the time the logs rot, the Fringe Bush should be large enough to hold this area on its own. But for now, I shall enjoy my Red and White Petunia by the Vitex or Blue Bush as my parents call it.

 Another Positive, the huge stump from the downed Willow Oak had not shifted at all since Feb.

And we were able to get it back into its upright position! It shall remain "as is" until we feel it is becoming a threat to our driveway.

 The Saint had worked on this stump a bit as it was doing damage to the driveway. He removed a lot of the dirt from the root ball and also cut a lot of the root ball. We had some issues with this stump from the get go.

Our awesome neighbor and his tractor came to assist us with the stumps.

And after a bit of work, this stump was back in place as well. We shall have to do a bit of work on this part of the driveway. Hopefully we will be able to open up this side of our circular driveway soon.

 This past Saturday, The Saint rented a log Splitter and he and I went to work.

 He split the logs while I loaded, hauled and stacked the wood into the wood shed. Wow, that was hard work with high humidity. We put in about 7 hours if not longer.

On Sunday, a neighbor/friend came and split some wood for his wood shed. The Saint assisted him while I rested my achy bones. We still have some logs remaining and shall offer them to another good neighbor of ours. 

Loosing all those trees was sad but they needed to come down or Mother Nature would not have dropped them for us. So I planted a new tree in their honor. Remember me talking about my "Yard Sale" finds a few weeks ago? Well, here was a bargain, a Maple Tree for $5.00! I planted it in the Semi-Formal Garden and hope she will shine some day.

It has taken us some time but we are slowly getting our Yard and Gardens back to normal. That was one Ice Storm that not only us but many are still talking about today. I do not want any MORE ICE DAMAGE, In the Garden...

 

Note: I am attending the GPS at McCorkle's Nursery today and have won a gift certificate! Hopefully, I can find something to go under the mailbox. 

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

Confederate Jasmine (Update)

BY SKEETER

June 2013

 I have talked about the Confederate Jasmine here in my GEORGIA GARDENS in the past. My love for the hardy vine and scent she gives off during the early summer.

June 2013

 Last years blooms were so intoxicating while filling the air with sweet scent. I love this vine as I have never had to give it any attention. No pruning, no water, no nothing. I just sit back and enjoy this plant!

Feb 2014

 This year is a different story though. The Ice Storm of February gave her a punch in the vine! 

Feb 2014

 I feared loosing all 3 of my vines but did hold out hope as I could still see some bright green leaves within. This photo is the same vine as seen in the first photo of this posting. It took the worse hit of all the vines. I assume due to it being a bit more exposed to the elements then the other two. I would say, I lost about 95% of this vine. Sigh...

April 2014

  It is tough pruning vines as they are connected together so a lot of healthy vine may be removed with the damaged vine.

June 2014

 Now is bloom time and they are indeed bouncing back and even have some blooms for me to enjoy!

June 2014

 It will take some time for the one on the right to get back to its once glory but that's okay, I can wait.

June 2014

 I am just happy to have not lost them.

June 2014

 And I know in time, they will once again stand tall and shine in my garden.

June 2014

And a bonus was blooms for me this year as I did not expect any at all. Ah, the Sweet Scent of CONFEDERATE JASMINE, In the Garden...

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

Winter or Spring

BY SKEETER 

  I was out of my GEORGIA GARDENS for a bit to visit family and friends in Tennessee. I enjoyed seeing the ice on top of Monteagle as I drove over that big ole mountain. Click HERE for more on Monteagle. I had been working tirelessly on cleaning debris from the Georgia Ice Storm so I was looking forward to a relaxing visit. Even though my body ached from the clean up of an Ice Storm, I found this ice view very beautiful. The heated seats made the back better during the drive. Ahhhhh...

 Little did I know, I would be in the midst of another Ice Storm while in Tennessee!

At my parents house, we had about 2 inches of ice pellets fall and about 1/4 inch of snow on top of that. I kept the area around my car cleared as it fell that night. I also kept the window clear of ice for fear of a window cracking from a previous rock chip. Some areas such as where our Master Gardener Tina lives, had more ice and snow then our side of town. I ended up shoveling the entire driveway. That was a job but I needed some exercise after being cooped up eating chocolate and other fun treats while home bound.

My poor car has never experienced icicles before! Ice Storms are not so rare in Middle Tennessee but they normally do not last long as the temps rise and the ice melts within a day. This storm was followed by several days of freezing temperatures thus, shutting down the entire city! We had electricity as the ice did not stick to the trees such as the storm here in Georgia a few weeks prior. So not many trees fell over power lines like in Georgia. We also had food in the house, home videos and classic movies so I enjoyed some quality time with my mom and dad during this time.

The storm messed up many of my plans for visits but with Mother Nature being so darn Bi-Polar this winter, well, I did the best I could to visit those on my list. There is always the next visit.

  Wow was I shocked to see the things I saw in my gardens upon my return to Georgia. Not Snow covered bushes but rather the most beautiful Bridal Wreath Spirea's ever!

 Both of these bushes are outside my sunroom window and they just glow during the day and at night.

Forsythia is bursting with color!

 Wild Violets are blooming throughout two of my gardens and in control thus far. They are starting to jump the borders though so I must keep an eye on these beauties.

 Creeping Phlox are starting to open up.

 Grape Hyacinth's have multiplied since last year!

 Many different types of Daffodil are dancing in the March winds!

 Some may be Narcissus but I call them all Daffy's...

They really do cheer me up in the Spring.

 I only wish they would hang around longer for me to enjoy.

 They do not seem to all bloom at the same time. So I get to enjoy them longer and that makes for a happy gal. I want to add more and more of them as I just love those yellow faces.

 Pink, Purple and White Hyacinth blooming along with Grape Hyacinth and Narcissus! Where is the Easter Bunny?

 This view shows a happy Spring planter full of color...

The Wild Plum Trees are full of blossoms.

 Ever purchase one of something then regret not picking up more?

I so regret not purchasing more of these beautiful Red Fringe Plants. I just love the vibrant red of this beauty.

And of course, dandelion has appeared as well.

 As I started preparing this Posting, it was 47 degrees outside and the heater was on inside. By afternoon, I was out push mowing the Rye Grass while wearing shorts with the windows to the house open! Is it WINTER OR SPRING, In the Garden...

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