Spring into Summer

We were disappointed that we couldn’t have our open day this spring; however, we found lots to do in the garden.  We paused weeding and clearing off the paths and took time to look critically at each section.  We chose about half of the sunny gardens to alter, not so much in character, but rather to fit into the character we had given to them. 

For example Jo’s Bed, an area which comes to a peak in July and August, Jo’s birth and death months.  We designated colors, primarily white and many shades of blue and pink and selected bulbs, shrubs, perennials, and annuals with these colors.  Salvia guaranitica had become a bully, insinuating its roots throughout the entire garden.  They were under the roots of shrubs and over the bulbs, and they were large, heavy, and rapidly filled buckets and carts.  They were also unsuited for compost piles where they could quickly settle in and grow instead of decomposing.  Ruellia has a similar habit and we dug deeply and widely in order to remove what we could.  As with the salvia, ruellia also grew into, over, and under its neighbors.  We showed no mercy as we dug, pried, and pulled out every scrap of root we could reach, knowing we will have to make a similar attack next spring.  The result is satisfying.  Roses that were stretching for the light; small perennials, used to tie many sections together; and rain lilies, which will lead us into summer all responded to their new space and light.  Suddenly each plant revealed its character, and all blended comfortably together.