Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Flower Overload

I want to thank you all for your well wishes to my speedy recovery. Looks like the "Seasonal Viral Infection with flu-like symptoms" has left - oddly enough as the seasons begin to quickly change. I showed you the backyard garden in the very early spring here, and now that more late summer - frost perennials have popped up out of the ground, the garden is finally starting to take shape.

I worked and worked and worked in the garden yesterday, and I'm still not finished. I did get a good deal of weeding and planting done, though and I feel good about the mature state of the garden in a few months. I know it doesn't look like much now - but I promise, in a few weeks things will start to bloom, and in a couple of months it will be a lush landscape of color: purple, oranges, yellows and whites - even some pinks and light blues. Yes - this year the garden has me very excited.

I had to move some of the stone in the garden to make room for additional planting - and wouldn't you know it - I still have tons to plant, and such limited space that I'm thinking about extending the garden yet again! Someone stop me, please! As soon as I'm finished planting and cutting back the sod around the beds in this area - I'll need to seed and fertilize the grass. It's taken a beating over the winter - but will hopefully rebound nicely just in time for the garden walk.

And the pit. Yes - it's still unsightly - BUT, if you remember seeing it here, you'll notice that a change (a good one) has been made. The wall isn't quite finished, but once the last two blocks are laid, a stone veneer will cover them giving it the visual appeal of a stacked stone wall - but the security and strength of a concrete wall. Arborvitae will be planted behind the wall, blocking the view to the street beyond, and the awful chain link fence we inherited. Of course - once that is done - the brick for the patio can be laid and perhaps, yes perhaps the backyard will begin to look as I intended.

Thankfully last year the perennials I planted did well, and came back with no problems. I've planted a few more this year, and hope that eventually the garden will fill in nicely. I've had to remind myself several times during this planting extravaganza that 1.) a garden doesn't grow overnight and 2.) I JUST started last year! This whole area was nothing but grass - dead grass at that.

Still, I'm a perfectionist - so I've found so much left to do - and even more left to come up out of the ground. I devised a way to stop myself or Scott from digging into areas that had bulbs planted already - a problem we had last year on more than one occasion ...

Some skewers, packing tape, and a black marker made for great little reminder flags. Now - for those of you are wondering just what these green stalks and leaves will carry, here's a sneak peak, The Yellows:

Yellow Cannas, Black Eyed Susans, Yellow Asiatic Lilies, Stella D'Oro Lilies (not pictured), Tick-Seed Coreopsis, Curry, Yellow Marigolds, Yellow and White Dahlias, baby yellow dinnerplate Dahlias.

The Oranges:

Double Orange Daylily, Orange Canna (with purple foliage), Tiger Lily.
The Whites:

White Coneflower, White Blazing Star (Liatris), White Asiatic Lily, Balloon Flower (not pictured), White Dahlias, Shasta Daisy.
The Purples:

Purple Coneflower, Baby Joe (Joe Pye Weed), Blue Star, Purple Variegated Obedient, Purple Blazing Star (Liatris).
So many flowers ... so little time. If only I had a bigger lot ... and a higher credit limit. Til' next time have fun in your garden!

14 comments:

  1. all your work will pay off.
    you know it.

    (but, hey, weren't you just sick ?)
    take it easy.
    xx

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  2. Wow I can't believe you just started this garden last year. I was shocked to read that since it looks so nice and established.

    Love the montage of images by color. It is a great way to see how different plants will work in the garden.

    Tricia - Avolli

    P.S. Glad to hear you are feeling better...unfortunately now I have it...(achoo!)

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  3. Gardens take time -- lots of time -- Linderhof's gardens were started when we moved ther 21 years ago -- I think of little drips of water and little grains of sand. You can't do it all at once but once you get the hardscape in and some plants planted, it all comes together.

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  4. Oh wow. It is going to look amazing. I actually think it looks really good now--but know with the flowers it will really be glorious.

    Off subject: Got the window treatments you recommended (rust colored ones) along with the way you told me to hang them. They look amazing! I stare at them all day long.

    Talented Dude.

    Post more pics of your garden as soon as the flowers bloom!

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  5. Dear Artie, this is quite the ambitious plan ... if anyone can pull it off - it's you! Be careful with all that bending, stooping, scooping and kneeling.

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  6. Hi Artie, You certainly are an ambitious boy! Things are starting to take shape nicely. A good 1/3 of my sunny side garden was munched to the ground by 3 very large bunnies. I have been doing the Bunny Relocation Program (or BURP for short). This will be a fun summer for us all - I can't wait to see it myself. ~ Robyn

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  7. yes - glad you are well, again!
    everything is coming to fruition and
    you are the man who made it happen!

    peace~
    Chuck

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  8. Nothing to get you back up and moving like gardening. And what a garden you have! It won't be a garden walk through your yard ~ more like a garden crawl so everyone can get a good look!
    G in CT

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  9. Looking promising Artie! I'm sure in no time it will meet with your expectation.

    Re the bulbs you planted in the Fall. Do hope you have more success that I appear to have had thanks to the little critters called Squirrels. The little brats stole most of mine. Arghhhhh

    Glad you are feeling better. I'm still on the road to recovery but feeling a lot better than I was.

    Take it easy my friend. Hugs to you. -Brenda-

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  10. Hi Artieness and I'm so glad you're feeling better! Isn't it wonderful to get your hands in the dirt! I can't wait to see your garden all a bloom! I just got some new end tables for my living room and am just loving them.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  11. Glad you feel better! I am loving the yard. Don't over work yourself. It's already beautiful.

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  12. I am glad that you are feeling much better. Your flower beds are looking really good. I know how you feel about wanting more plants & flowers, I am the same way!! I cannot go to any store that sells plants without a browse through the garden section! I cannot wait to see all of your flowers in bloom, they are going to be gorgeous!!

    Have a wonderful weekend, Nicole

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  13. hi....i just found your blog. i love following people progress while they transform their gardens. you might want to take a look at mine when you have time.

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