Too many straight bladed plants? Can you have too many? This is how my 'Rear Sidewalk Garden' looked in May of this year. It is not too bad really, but when you look at it now can you see the problem?You don't have to look too hard to see it, that's for sure. The issue is with all the straight bladed plants-too many of them so there is no contrast and interest in this garden and other plants are crowded. Back in May the straight bladed plants were well behaved and actually did not look half bad, but now they don't look so good. They've had a really good year and have grown beyond their bounds and are crowding one another and other plants in this garden. Believe it or not these are not all the same types of plants. Starting from the left next to the peony there is a mystery iris, then gladiolus, scads of 'Lucifer' crocosmia, and finally an ornamental plume grass. Too much straight blade overload for me so it was time for a rework. I will not even tell you the story of how this mess occurred but it had something to do with trying to plant the right plant in the right spot-namely a sunny area. I forgot about the surrounding plants being the same type:( Fortunately the situation can be fixed rather simply.
I dug divided and replanted the irises a bit further away from the peony. I'll be posting on them Monday because I need some help identifying them. I completely removed the glads and the crocosmia. They have found homes in pots for the time being. I then added a catmint plant and stood back to look at my work. I like it so much more now that most of the straight bladed plants are gone. I did leave the ornamental plume grass as a focal point in the center of the bed as a divider. This garden looks completely different on the other side of it but we'll perhaps save that picture for another post.
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What you don't see are the pink lady bulbs under the soil. If you look in the first picture you can see the foliage that looks pretty nice in May. The picture above actually shows the pink lady bulbs in bloom in July. They are a bit crowded and lost aren't they? Yes, it was indeed time for a rework and redesign in this 'Rear Sidewalk Garden'. Now that the straight bladed plants have been removed all the remaining plants have some breathing room and room to shine....
in the garden....
Any gardening design issues you are working on this fall?
Remember when I posted on the Blue Star Memorial Marker in January? Monday marks the dedication of Clarksville's very own Blue Star Memorial Marker. All three garden clubs will be represented. The bugler and color guard from Fort Campbell will also be present. As a veteran of three wars and a member of one of these garden clubs (Beachaven) I am most proud this dedication has come to fruition. Many thanks to all who worked on the project in all three (Beachaven, Clarksville, and Les Candides) garden clubs. As a personal note I'd like to thank Peggy, Lola and Sandy for working on the project as part of the committee to plan the dedication. I'd also like to thank Lola's husband (Harold) for getting the bugler and color guard to participate. Hope to see you all there, Monday 10:30 at the Montgomery County Courthouse. Come show your support for the veterans AND the gardeners (us!) just in time for Veteran's Day.
Speaking of veterans, it is with great sadness we learn of the shootings at Fort Hood. I remember when this happened at Fort Bragg in 1995 (one killed and 20 wounded) and I can tell you it is a terrible thing for soldiers everywhere to think they can be targeted while on base and doing normal everyday activities. It is an especially horrific thing for these days in this time of war. Such a senseless loss for us all.
What is it about garden bloggers and pets? Now I know there are some garden bloggers who don't feature pets, or who don't even have any pets, but I CAN'T think of a single one. Even those bloggers who don't talk all the time about their pets do occasionally show us the pet in the garden.
Is it a truth that gardeners like pets? Even pets who dig in the garden? Poop in the garden? Scratch up the garden? Run over the prized perennials? Bark at the wildlife? And eat the garden?!
I think garden bloggers, who are all gardeners, like extending their paradise to all living things and are comforted by their pets. Pets just seem to be a natural part of gardens, no matter how many concessions we have to make for them. There are many. Fences, pooper scoopers, and selective plantings come to mind.
Here are just a few of my many pets: Peter the Rabbit in the top photo (he and his buddy Cuddles provide very good stuff for the compost). The picture of Peter is not misleading, he is a HUGE bunny, and has the appetite to prove it. I think he is bigger than my cat and definitely heavier. Orkin is in the second photo. She is sometimes a good kitty (when she does away with pests like voles), and sometimes a bad kitty (like when she does away with birds). Lastly, my old dog Link. He is 13 years old now and my first dog. He has been a good dog who is beginning to fail now due to his age. His hearing is gone and he is very crotchety, even more so than most Chihuahua/dachsund mixes. I have many more pets too, but wondered about you all's pets and if you think garden bloggers and pets just go together like peanut butter and jelly.
What do you all think of garden bloggers and pets? Is it a natural thing and is there a common theme with us all?
in the garden....
Don't forget to post on veggies on the 20th of next month.
I had a super visit with some very fine bloggers last night-and a surprise guest! I will post on that soon. Okay all?
