WIP -- Garden edition

In a previous post, I showed a picture of the overgrown garden in our backyard. It's still very much a work in progress, but at least now all the weeds are gone, and I have some flowering plants to share with you.

 

I use grass clippings to keep the weeds down, the unemployed woman's mulch. It's free, very green/sustainable, and I have not had a problem with weed seeds. It doesn't look as neat and tidy as some of the other mulch options, but it works. When the plants grow larger, you won't see it.

The cages (wishful thinking!) have peony rhizomes underneath, which, after two months, are just beginning to sprout buds for leaves. I didn't realize they'd take so long to leaf out; next time I'll buy the plants instead.

 

 

Here is a closeup of the area around the gazing ball. Last Friday, I treated myself to two Pink Blush Knock Out landscape roses, some nepeta/cat mint, and two sea thrift. I used to grow antique roses and David Austin roses at our old house, but frankly, couldn't keep up with the blackspot, aphids, and Japanese beetle damage, so I caved and bought the easy-care variety this time around. Hopefully they'll continue to look as nice as they do now past June!

I can't seem to get the remaining photos centered, so bear with me!

 

A close-up of the sea thrift. Apparently rabbits really like it, because as you can see from the photo above with the gazing ball, the left plant has no blooms anymore! Hopefully more blossoms will come up later in the summer.

On the deck, my windowboxes are lush with lettuce almost ready to put in salads. Chris is mowing in the background.

Here is a Nelly Moser clematis that the previous owners planted. I bought purple clematis roots which are planted at the base of the obelisk in the main garden, but The President has not yet graced me with his presence. Or even stems and leaves.

My wicker planter has pink geraniums, and a light pink double impatiens plant that looks like a mini-rose bush. I love the alyssum, which looks like lace.

 

The cats want so much to help, but they are not allowed outside. If you look closely through the screen, you can see all three of them!

 

While the plants (and daisy seeds) are getting established, I'm working on clearing out other areas of the yard, including the juniper/evergreen bushes you see to the left of the garden in the first photo. Some of the belgian blocks need to be re-set, but I like the moss on them and will keep that. I'm not quite sure what to do about where the garden and lawn meet the woods, though. If anyone has any ideas, please feel free to share!

I love Claude Monet's quote, "More than anything, I must have flowers, always, always." Our garden is far from Giverny, but with some time and lots of hard work, it will be its own sanctuary.

Comments

[MrsSDC]

Your gardening has certainly paid off more than mine. I still have weeds from last year to pull :(

[Beth]

Your garden and lawn look wonderful! I just love double impatiens plants!

[Sarah]

The plants are looking good and should really fill out for next summer! Do you have a bench so you can sit by your garden?

[Suitcase of Courage]

Your pics get better and better - practice makes perfect, eh?

I *especially* love the kitty pic though!

[madalyn]

Our cats aren't allowed outside, either. It's so funny when they see us through the windows or doors -- they kind of look at us like "Hey... why are you out THERE?"

[Emily]

I love seeing the garden shots. I am trying lettuce in containers this year too...have only had them a few weeks and they are doing ok... we'll see if I get a salad out of it! Thanks for your msg on my blog. My boyfriend and I have considered adopting a dog and definately will someday. We both had dogs that played huge roles in our childhood/adulthood. But our place is so small right now and we both want a larger dog. So someday!!

[Jodi]

Your garden is looking just lovely! So many pretty pinks and peaceful shades of green.

And the cats are a hoot as they inspect the great outdoors from behind the screen. I sometimes wish I took my cats outdoors, but then I remember that indoor kitties get to be long-lived kitties. And I don't have it in me to praise cats for their hunting successes, either.