Reunited--that's me and the back quarter acre getting together again--and it feels, well, not quite "so good" . . . yet. But hey, hey, I'm trying to get my groove back.
This past winter took a toll on the growing green stuff--and rectifying the situation has pummeled the green stuff in my wallet. Two of the Japanese andromeda (Pieris japonica) shrubs by our front steps required replacements. These had taken a punch to the midsection last year, but they didn't go belly up then, so I thought that they would struggle back to their feet. Wrong! In their weakened condition, both were knocked out by the harsh winter. Their sad remains were replaced last weekend by a large Pieris x "Brouwer's Beauty" and a smaller Pieris x "Valley Valentine." The "Brouwer's Beauty" is a garden variety work horse, touted as being very hardy, dependable, and sensible-shoes-sort of attractive. "Valley Valentine" is the messy, flashy, attention-grabbing friend whose antics you indulge because she just makes life more fun: draping panicles of red-tinted blooms, colorful new growth, and a sprawling habit. Good times!
Ah, spring. The daffodils are kicking into high gear with over a half dozen varieties currently in bloom. More, more, more!
Elsewhere in the garden, a quick inventory reveals some mystery plants. How and when did they arrive? Here's where recording-keeping saves the day (and one's sense of sanity). Last year's Garden Goalroll indicates that these leaves belong to a compact beebalm (Monarda "Pink Lace") and their square stems place it in the mint family. Yep, getting reacquainted feels good.
Me and the garden, we're both so excited 'cause we're reunited, hey, hey!
This past winter took a toll on the growing green stuff--and rectifying the situation has pummeled the green stuff in my wallet. Two of the Japanese andromeda (Pieris japonica) shrubs by our front steps required replacements. These had taken a punch to the midsection last year, but they didn't go belly up then, so I thought that they would struggle back to their feet. Wrong! In their weakened condition, both were knocked out by the harsh winter. Their sad remains were replaced last weekend by a large Pieris x "Brouwer's Beauty" and a smaller Pieris x "Valley Valentine." The "Brouwer's Beauty" is a garden variety work horse, touted as being very hardy, dependable, and sensible-shoes-sort of attractive. "Valley Valentine" is the messy, flashy, attention-grabbing friend whose antics you indulge because she just makes life more fun: draping panicles of red-tinted blooms, colorful new growth, and a sprawling habit. Good times!
Ah, spring. The daffodils are kicking into high gear with over a half dozen varieties currently in bloom. More, more, more!
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| Clockwise from upper left: "Jenny," "Yellow Cheerfulness," "Mount Hood," Tete-a-Tete," "Ice King" |
Elsewhere in the garden, a quick inventory reveals some mystery plants. How and when did they arrive? Here's where recording-keeping saves the day (and one's sense of sanity). Last year's Garden Goalroll indicates that these leaves belong to a compact beebalm (Monarda "Pink Lace") and their square stems place it in the mint family. Yep, getting reacquainted feels good.
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| Monarda "Pink Lace" |
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