I Hate It When This Happens

on
Aloe greatheadii.  Difficulty?  Effortless.  Thirsty?  No.  Maintenance?  Almost none.  Climate appropriate?  Very.  Pests?  None.  Diseases?  None.  
 Do I love this plant?  Of course not!  I'm pulling it out.

To be replaced with the Echeverias that are engulfed by a Grevillea, and with the Agave 'Ivory Curls' engulfed by Leucospermum 'Yellow Bird':
I'm pulling A. greatheadii out from here, too:
 The patch on the left to be replaced with the repeat blooming Aloe 'Cynthia Gitty'; the patch on the right with the repeat blooming Aloe 'Roikoppe'.  For no better reason than because I think they are prettier and will make the garden look better.  Although they do bloom a lot more (A. greatheadii blooms only once a year), and thereby feed hummingbirds and bees a lot more, and need no more water or maintenance than does A. greatheadii.  I still feel bad about pulling all those happy healthy plants.  I hate it when this happens, but I'm doing it anyway.  Without finding it at all a comfortable role, I'm playing God. 

Comments

  1. Kris PetersonSeptember 23, 2016 at 5:50 PM

    As the saying goes: with great power comes great responsibility. Small plants made great fillers but don't usually make a big impact in the landscape setting. I think you're doing the right thing for the landscape (says she who just dug up a few perfectly fine plants herself).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hoover BooSeptember 23, 2016 at 8:58 PM

      Spidey's Uncle Ben was right. :)

      What did you dig up?

      Delete
  2. danger gardenSeptember 23, 2016 at 9:49 PM

    Meany pants!

    But it is your garden, and if you don't love the plants in it then what's the point?

    ReplyDelete
  3. dianneSeptember 24, 2016 at 6:34 AM

    Dear Hoover, don't feel guilty, plant what is best for the garden and the humming birds and what will give you the most visual pleasure.
    Hugs
    xoxoxo ♡

    ReplyDelete
  4. AlanSeptember 24, 2016 at 1:40 PM

    I think you've just ID'd my mystery (potted) Aloe! :)

    I also think that you pulling those is like me pulling ivy from under my maple. It grows great there, needs no maintenance, but so common or unspecial or just icky so out it comes.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Candyce RobertsSeptember 24, 2016 at 2:08 PM

    This warms my heart…I do it all the time and feared I was being ridiculous in my lack of patience. But I say it with vigor now to the lack luster and not so lovely…"you're out of here baby." I'm going to try something new and hopefully more suited. Thanks for this post ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. outlawgardenerSeptember 24, 2016 at 3:28 PM

    Oh the power! That's why we garden, right? Sometimes we're just over a plant and need to move on. Good for you!

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    Replies
    1. Hoover BooSeptember 25, 2016 at 6:55 AM

      It's strange to realize the link between "gardening" and "power", but...there it is. If I could but fashion and style a greenhouse like yours, I would certainly feel powerful!

      Delete
  7. Spiky ObsessionSeptember 25, 2016 at 10:41 AM

    It is always the plants that you don't really like that go to town. Sends a message to the other plants, earn your place you're out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hoover BooSeptember 26, 2016 at 10:21 AM

      The Leucospermum is not only earning its place, its earning other plant's places, too.

      Delete
  8. Gerhard Bock (Succulents and More)September 25, 2016 at 9:05 PM

    I understand why you're doing this. I'm no different. With limited space, it makes sense to pick the more beautiful solution.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hoover BooSeptember 26, 2016 at 10:20 AM

      There, that's what I meant all along. I chose the more beautiful solution. Well said!

      Delete

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