Did that dove neglect to find a safer spot for her nest? Is she foolish? For this gardener, "badly neglected" applies to both the garden and garden blogs this summer. It seems like neglect of the garden, though it isn't strictly true--I've done a few things--it feels like neglect because it's been so hot--the high 80's for weeks--and so many plants (the roses, mainly) look awful.
Where this garden blog is concerned, the neglect is real. Focused far more on real world things: preventative health care, (routine tests, PT for stiff shoulders, aerobic and resistance exercise), Dear Husband (an asthma flare-up; better now) and Young Harry, (he's fun!).
Finally, time and focus enough for a post. One thing I've been dedicated to doing, a sink of time and energy, is ruthless trapping of rodents to get a little of the Avocado crop for ourselves...
Also limbed up the path-blocking Callistemons (Melaleucas):
Not only do the 'Slim's still screen out the house behind ours, the path aside the 'Slim's is now visible, and usable again.
Pots placed in the empty space as a temporary measure:
One plant to add to the narrow space is more Zephyranthes candida. There is already a clump at the far end of the space, along with a tuft of 'Elija Blue' Festuca glauca.Yes to this:
In patio shade, I rooted some pieces of Alternathera brasiliana in water, then potted them up. It's really easy. Roots in a week:
The one plant I have, rooted from a single small stem requested from a garden buddy, grew to weave its way around adjoining plants, including Agapanthus and one of the fluffy Lecanthemums. The purple-black foliage of the Alternathera made the icy white of the Leucanthemum flowers all the more dazzling:Taking photos for this post, I realized not all the garden looks terrible. Unexpected Yucca flowers, for example. They flowered in November last year, and now again: Plus 'Shooting Stars' Hydrangea, always summer lovely:
A Dahlia or two, survivors of a spring purge:Late Leucanthemums: thank you for your tardiness!Pentas and Pelargoniums:Even two of the Aechmea blanchtianas:And a valiant Lily!And late (summer) blooming Clematis 'Arabella'!
And red seedless grapes, caged to protect them from birds and rodents. They ripen gradually, so we've been able to enjoy them, a bunch at a time, for weeks.The impulse buy of last summer, a six-pack of Hypoetes pyllostachya, survived winter just fine. It proved this summer to be a wonderful brightener /leaf-shape-outlier tucked in between other potted plants under the Acer 'Oshio Bene':
Almost all the roses look horrible, but not all the roses look horrible:
The Russelia thrives in heat, and feeds a torrent of hummingbirds:So do the tall Pentas: The plants I tend, not always perfectly, are giving me a lecture: A garden is a privilege Keep on hoping. Keep on gardening. Stand tough.
I stand corrected. Garden on!
Limbed up Callistemons 'slim' is so good. I remember you lamented about the path access. Blocked no more! I like the temporary pots' placement; maybe some stay (for height). I love the plant combination Zephyranthes candida with Festuca glauca 'Elija Blue'.
ReplyDeleteTo my eyes, the best photo is the last: I'm guessing it's a nesting dove of some kind? Excellent shot!
Chavli
Morning sun and afternoon shade for the area below the 'Slim's, so a good place for pots. Here all day sun in summer is too hot for everything.
DeleteYes that's a Mourning Dove. The pale blue ring around their eyes is quite striking.
They'll nest just about anywhere, not always where it is safe.
Well, you've just performed a service in support of horticulture in general and convinced me that 'Arabella' may be the clematis for me: non-vining, blooms all summer. Maybe draping out of one of the stock tanks. So don't count yourself short! Hugs to Harry, glad everyone is feeling better.
ReplyDeleteSaw 'Arabella' on KS's blog;
Deletehttps://gardenbook-ks.blogspot.com/2011/06/arabella.html
And when I saw it for sale at Home Cheapo(!) 3 years ago, I grabbed it. Exceeded expectations, to say the least. A must have.
Harry sends a big slobbery kiss and will shed on you at a moment's notice.
Wonderful post Hoov, worth waiting for. A garden IS a privilege, we are lucky. I love the photo with the Hypoetes pyllostachya, what a lovely tapestry. The Aechmea blanchtiana and bloom, wow.
ReplyDeleteHappy you liked the post, thank you!
DeleteThat Hypoetes is (apparently) grown as a houseplant in colder climes. I thought it would be too cold for it here (high 40sF at night sometimes in winter), but it was fine--just stopped growing for the winter. The Aechmea best in part shade here; bleaches in all day sun.
I can empathize with the issues and distractions that have kept you out of the garden recently, although I think your garden looks far better than my own. On my currently irregular passes through my garden, I've been pulling sad plants out right and left. A lot of work is on the docket once we cool down, as well as shopping for plant replacements. I've lost many to a combination of the heat and basic neglect.
ReplyDeleteThe forecast is for low 90's the next 10 days at least. Yikes!! No relief! We just have to get through it and deal with the failures when we can. Stay strong, garden on (when it cools down).
DeleteHeh - apologies for the three, very highly-related comments on your last post. I obviously lost track of whether I had commented or not. Stay strong indeed. My own garden is on its own downward descent into neglect this summer. But, as you say, there are still beautiful things to be found. Stay strong!
ReplyDeleteI am with you re: it's too hot to garden. Thankfully most of the garden carries on without our intervention. There are always lovely spots and plants to appreciate. Your health comes first. By the way, I don't think your garden could ever really look bad.
ReplyDelete