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Archive: Third Quarter 2008 |
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Sept. 29, 2008 Who needs more work in the garden? One of the goals I set for myself this fall, particularly because I have a large garden, is to reduce the amount of time it takes to maintain it. A new rule of thumb has emerged for editing: no perennials or groundcovers that seed too much or are too difficult to weed nearby. Thinking "Off With Their Heads" as I marched into the garden yesterday, I reduced the amount of Euphorbia characias ‘Wulfenii’. While I love its chartreuse flowers in late winter, it seeds around if their flowers aren’t trimmed early enough. Since I’m usually so busy in spring doing other things when it needs deadheading, it makes sense to reduce the amount I need to do, so it gets done. The hardy geraniums that fall in this category (and they all don’t) will be toast. Lamium will find its locations reduced. Have you ever noticed that weeds select the plants they like to be near because the leaf shapes are similar? I think Michael Pollan was on to something. |
The pink bowling ball stands out among the blooming Euphorbia characias 'Wulfenii' |
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Sept. 24, 2008 It's not unusual for me to hear the words "When do you sleep?" I have a full plate. I took the old saying "If you want something done, ask a busy woman" to heart. This fall I'm thrilled to catch up with garden projects I wanted to do this spring, but sustained an injury to my right foot. I am chomping at the bit to move, remove, and add plants. All summer I have nursed along plants in pots as I gathered them. I was so anxious to dig up some plants, I didn't wait for cool fall weather. Rather, I dug some drought-tolerant Penstemons, Asters, & Sedums earlier, knowing they would survive with a little shady shelter. They are all adapted to their pots now and ready to rock & roll. I've decided to add a blog to my website after attending the GWA symposium in Portland, OR. Yup-a full plate. Topics I plan to cover are what I'm doing in my garden (and more importantly - why) and some of the areas that I am mulling over while writing my book on garden design. |
A wonderful plant combination I saw in Darcy Daniel's garden during
the GWA Symposium
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| September 24 2008: My little bird topiary - one of the chirpers in my garden. Cool, blue-green glass and Fescues settle him into his spot. A Pennisetum is his tail during the summer. Click on the photo to enlarge it. |
Chirp! |
