Sunflowers Galore!
Okay, I planted my sunflowers on a whim by planting 18-20 seeds in the ground near our fence. I wasn’t sure anything would happen because seeds and I don’t usually work well together. But wouldn’t ya know – those hardy little things popped through the ground in spite of me! I now have 3 gorgeous sunflowers facing the sun with all the cheer of the world on their faces. I took pics the other day so I will try to post one here soon. The one plant is probably 9 feet tall! It is HUGE! I have a few that were planted in less sun and so they are the runts – they are about 6 feet tall and haven’t bloomed yet. I will be gone for the next week or so and it would be nice for them to still be blooming when I return. I have no idea how long Sunflowers stay around. I guess I’ll find out.
I haven’t gotten very far on my patio area; however, across the yard from that spot, I planted some perennial shrubs, plants, etc and it is absolutely striking! The plants are a brilliant lime green leafy thing. Planted nearby are some yellow flowers and various shades of pink geraniums. Very cool! I also planted a rhodedenron (sp?) variety. It is a slow grower and doesn’t get too big. That is good because there is a rose bush nearby and I don’t want it getting swallowed up. I am thoroughly thrilled with this patch of the garden. There is a TON of work to do in other areas but it is a slow work in progress…
Have a sunny day!
Add a comment July 27, 2006
I love flowers!
My hard work is paying off! I actually have real spearmint, basil and oregano growing in a pot in my backyard! Yes! I have tried several times to no avail and now, I am able to make spearmint tea and herb-infused olive oil. I love it!
In addition to my herbs, the flowers and bushes are growing nicely. It’s so nice to have a tangible reward for all the backbreaking hours invested. Now, I just have to stay on top of the maintainance part of things to ensure the beautiful view will last! Those weeds are pesky things, for sure.
My hydrangea bushes are a little slow this year. Only a few blooms on them. I don’t think I pruned them properly in the spring so they may not get too many this year. I’ll remember to cut them all the way down in the fall.
In my gardening efforts, I have discovered other stray plants growing in various parts of the yard. Some black-eyed Susans, clematis, hollyhock, hostas, etc. I’ve transplanted some to more ideal spots in the yard… and they’ve survived!
My patio project has somewhat stalled as I’ve realized it’s a huge task. I think I am going to be investigating other ways to accomplish this – i.e. hire a professional crew!
Have a fleureal day!
Add a comment July 17, 2006
The plants have been drowned now
Okay, so I spoke too soon! My poor plants have suffered both ends of the spectrum now – first they were sunscorched and neglected by my sister while I was away and now, they are being drenched by the 9 inches of water that has fallen in the last 24-48 hours!!! Can we find a happy medium in here somewhere, please? My unfortunately little plants are either going to be drowned after this is over or they will experience a growth spurt such as man has never seen. They have had so much water now that I probably could go on three vacations and they will still be alive and kickin’ on my return! Now, why couldn’t it have rained like this while I WAS away…?!?! Some of my plants went on to the happy place due to my sister’s neglect and if it had just been a week later, they might have lived! Life takes nasty turns sometimes though and I guess it was their time to go.
Well, their survivors will have stories to tell to the seedlings after this major rainy week! I hope it dries up though this holiday weekend as I have big plans for working in my garden.
I have this crazy viney thing that some have called Virginia Creeper (but I am not convinced that is what I am dealing with) growing rampant in my yard. It started out subtily around the base of the house but now it has spread INTO the yard! It grows so fast too so this rain is probably causing foot long growth jumps this week! Other than digging up the yard, I am not sure how to get rid of it. I was digging around the base of the house on Saturday pulling out viney roots after viney roots. Nasty! They never end! I have used weed spray and it seems successful on the surface stuff but not in going to the roots and killing the real problem. The bottles all claim this miracle occurs but I have yet to see it happen! It has spread more this year than any other year too which concerns me. So, I have waged war on it and plan to conquer it one way or the other!
heigh, ho, heigh, ho…
Add a comment June 27, 2006
And the shriveled plants cried, “water, water!”
That is the scene I came home to after my 6 day vacation. Now, mind you, I was not the neglecting plant mother you may think I am… explicit instructions had been given to my dear sibling, not once, not twice, but AT LEAST three times to WATER the flowers!!! They are living things as well and while they may not take to bread too much, they do need water to survive. Especially in the heat and humidity of our region. The morning I left on my greatly anticipated vacation, I carefully watered all of my plants and repeated my instructions to the caretaker left behind. I trusted her. Little did I comprehend the betrayal about to be played out on my Garden stage. It should be noted here that said plant guardian had to walk past most of the beautiful flowers and plants every time she stepped foot out the front door but that was not apparently enough of a reminder to water them. So, my plants languished in the heat of the day… at least the refuge of night was something for them to look forward to. Thankfully, after three days, their Creator sent some heavenly liquid and quenched their thirst and another sibling took pity on them the following day and watered them again. It was not in time to save some flowers that were awaiting their final placement in my Garden stage though so they have gone to Plant heaven, I guess. At least most of the other plants were hardy and courageous in the face of unfathomable circumstances.
It's unbelievable how many weeds have suddenly sprouted as well as this fast-growing viney thing that is threatening to take over the entire yard! I made attempts a couple of weeks ago to erradicate it but apparently, it was stronger than the chemicals I used. I will continue to wage my war against it this weekend. Maybe I'll even take a picture of it and you can check it out on my squidoo page – landscapeamateur – so you can see what I am dealing with.
Have a fleurific day!
Add a comment June 22, 2006
Nine Little Sunflowers All in a Row
I am so excited! My friend, Kate, loves sunflowers. One time, we were traveling in Vermont and we drove past a house where the owners had lovingly planted an entire garden of sunflowers! The car was moving at a high rate of speed so of course, we passed this vision of beauty rather quickly. Kate's passion for sunflowers though was taking control though so in order to maintain peace on our trip, I turned the car around so that she could go traipsing through private property and trample through the yard in order to get some good shots of the towering plants. I truly made her day and it definitely contributed to a happy co-existence for the next few days, however, this happened to be the trip where the film was destroyed in the airport X-ray machines. That was a not a pretty day. Immediately, Kate began making plans to go to Vermont the very next year and retrace our exact steps, take the very same pictures and have the same marvelous time! Unfortunately, the "very next year" has come and gone and become "last year" and we did not follow through on her precise plans. So, as a way to help her through her grief, I decided to plant her a sunflower garden in our yard. I spent much time toiling and suffering in the sun to dig up the dirt, plant the seeds, cover them up and water so carefully. I planted at least 20 seeds but alas, the day of reckoning only produced 6 hardy plants. I did not reveal my secret to Kate though until I was certain something was actually growing. Disappointment of that magnitude – twice in two years – would certainly destroy her so I waited until the plants got tall enough to give me confidence of their survival. Last week, I showed her the little miracles and she danced around the yard for a few seconds in sheer excitement! It really doesn't take much to make her happy… or sad. Well, the miracle didn't end as I went out there a few days later to discover that 3 other sunflower plants were growing further down the row – hidden under an overgrown tree/weed that my brother decided to pull down. So, now we have 9 wonderful plants growing closer and closer to the sun. One day they will all be standing proudly side-by-side with their yellow faces gleaming and saying "cheese!" as my friend Kate snaps away!
Add a comment June 12, 2006
My days in the Garden
My passive interest in gardening finally took root this spring and I have been actively communing with nature in my yard. The previous owner was apparently quite the gardener but she also stayed home all day. When we moved in three years ago, my sister and I had great ambitions but full-time jobs and other interests left little time to upkeep the yard. It was all we could do to make sure the lawn was mowed enough to not attract slithering and slinking animals. My poor sister tried desperately to spend some quality time in the "bush", however, the yard is quite large. Because there was so much planted previously, it all required pruning and constant nurturing in addition to weeding, etc. Way too much for a working gal to conquer! Well, that sister has since up and married and now lives in a sweet little apartment where she handles a manageable pot of flowers on the balcony. Now, I am stuck with the huge yard! Thankfully, my brother is now staying at the house and has become quite useful in mowing, tilling and treating the problem areas of the grass. That leaves me to concentrate on the planting and nurturing of the flowers, shrubs and other niceties which I thoroughly enjoy. I now have embarked on a mission – garden design! I've always had a love of interior design and decor so now I am going to take my ideas to the outside world. Check out my visual progress at www.squidoo.com/landscapeamateur and have a petalicious day!
Add a comment June 10, 2006
