At one point I looked up to see a couple sitting on the bench, enjoying the warm evening together quietly, and I felt very proud that everyone's hard work on the garden has culminated in this happy little scene. Would anyone had sat (stood) in the garden (well, weedy doog poop zone) at this time last year enjoying anything at all about it? I don't think so.
On Saturday I got out and planted the daffodil (Narcissus) bulbs I'd ordered back in May. I put groupings of five of each type all up and down the steps area, rearranged some of the Muscari bulbs, and put two of the alpine strawberry (Fragraria) plants on the other side of the steps in a more irregular pattern. I considered removing all the alpine strawberries to pots and putting them on craigslist, because they are apparently edible, as well as not particiularly drought tolerant, but they're doing so well that I didn't want to move them yet.
It was hot, so I had plenty of rests on the bench with my cool drink, but the scents in that area are amazing: the white rose ("Iceberg"?) is flowering away as usual, the strawberries and jasmine smell delicious, and the African Blue basil (Ocimum kilimandscharicum × basilicum 'Dark Opal') added it's spicy notes. When the mock orange, buddleja and paperwhites start flowering it's going to be almost unbearable!
On Saturday evening Leah donated some lovely yarrows (Achillea) and flats of useful groundcover - I'll have to get those in the ground this week! Also Joan gave me about a dozen huge packets of wildflower seeds - I'll be able to go on an absolute seed sprinkling bender when the rains come. I can't wait! Thanks Joan and Leah :)
Photo above is a cactus of some sort that Channing gave us, flowering away by the fence.
I'm sure the bulbs will be beautiful! It must be so nice to have others appreciate your time & effort. I know what you mean about strong scents (overpowering but in a good way), I had my mockorange & phlox blooming near eachother at the same time, almost sensory overload. :)
ReplyDeletehehe, well I hope people appreciate it. You never know - perhaps there are flower haters out there? ;)
ReplyDeleteHello, I found out about the blog through PHPA, and finally made it down to the garden with my dog this afternoon; lovely! I particularly loved the red cannas and the big plant that looks like an alien thistle! (Dog didn't pee on anything, I promise). Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteThat alien thistle is a cardoon. Isn't it cool? :) Glad you're enjoying it all - come back often!
ReplyDelete