I have so much more to do before spring leaves us in two weeks!
I need to spread the rest of my mulch.
There's still a lot left - at least 1-1/2 yards.
I need to rework several of my beds that have odd spaces that I never seem to remember until they're left there by the other plants filling in each spring....
Like this bed with the gap at the back where Mahonia fortunei 'Dan Hinkley' is being swamped by the beefier plants and you can't even see M. gracilipes.
I need to plant all the plants that have been accumulating. The trick is figuring out where.
So I need to take out more grass on this curve to accommodate at least a few of them. The Echium candicans 'Variegata' in the previous picture would like it here, but it's essentially an annual in Portland so I better get cracking.
I need to change out two planters of Carex morowii 'Evergold' (one of which has become Everbrown after our April hot spell) and plant them with the two Juncus effusus 'Bay Blue' I bought at the opening day of Xera's new shop.
I need to re-pot this big Agave bracteosa after its terracotta pot cracked over winter.
I need to do some pruning, including this Trachelospermum jasminiodes that has surpassed its allotted space quotient.
But it's 5 pm, and I'd much rather get myself one of these out of the fridge.
And sit down here.
And enjoy a relaxing view like this...
Or this...
Or this,
Punctuated perfectly by anticipating the bright red blooms of my new, budding Callistemon 'Woodlanders Hardy Red" bargain from Fry Road Nursery.
And enjoying a detail view of my Ceanothus 'Victoria' that is still endearing itself with its beautiful blue blossoms.
And if that's not enough procrastinating for you, consider joining me tomorrow at 1 pm at Joy Creek Nursery , where five Portland bloggers (Scott of Rhone Street Gardens; Heather of Just a Girl With a Hammer; Ann of Amateur Bot-ann-ist; Loree of danger garden; and I) will talk about garden blogging.
Is it any wonder I have so much left to do before summer arrives?
I need to spread the rest of my mulch.
So I need to take out more grass on this curve to accommodate at least a few of them. The Echium candicans 'Variegata' in the previous picture would like it here, but it's essentially an annual in Portland so I better get cracking.
I need to re-pot this big Agave bracteosa after its terracotta pot cracked over winter.
I need to do some pruning, including this Trachelospermum jasminiodes that has surpassed its allotted space quotient.
But it's 5 pm, and I'd much rather get myself one of these out of the fridge.
And sit down here.
And enjoy a relaxing view like this...
Or this...
Or this,
Punctuated perfectly by anticipating the bright red blooms of my new, budding Callistemon 'Woodlanders Hardy Red" bargain from Fry Road Nursery.
And if that's not enough procrastinating for you, consider joining me tomorrow at 1 pm at Joy Creek Nursery , where five Portland bloggers (Scott of Rhone Street Gardens; Heather of Just a Girl With a Hammer; Ann of Amateur Bot-ann-ist; Loree of danger garden; and I) will talk about garden blogging.
Is it any wonder I have so much left to do before summer arrives?
So much to do! I hate that feeling where you can't catch up. It's so hard to believe spring is almost over. I know you guys will have so much fun tomorrow. I hope you incite a whole new bunch of local garden bloggers.
ReplyDeleteI'll just keep plugging along, Alison. I'm way nervous about the presentation, but potential garden bloggers are likely to be a pretty friendly crowd.
DeleteI had thought of coming but my daughter is visiting from San Francisco..... I'm also in a jam with summer fast approaching, with tremendous amounts of weeding still to do, and mattocking to get ready to plant the rest of my bean seeds and lots of perennials I started from seed before the weather gets hotter and drier. I'm enjoying my Ceanothus 'Victoria', the blue flowers are glorious.
ReplyDeleteBring your daughter along, Hannah: It's the perfect day to visit a nursery with a loved one. And, yes, it has been a spectacular year for 'Victoria'.
DeleteI love your garden so much, I can't wait to see it in person. I cant believe how fast spring flew by, either. And for the millionth time: you chose the most perfect paint color for your house.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to hear you still like the house color. It's standing the test of time - so far!
DeleteI would give in to those lounging instincts. We are sure to have a few more cool, overcast days perfect for planting. The loungeable ones we can never count on.
ReplyDeleteI like your philosophy Ricki. I'll plant when it gets cloudy or wet and the plants will be happier, too.
DeleteIt really does feel like we have switched into early summer. I'm relatively relaxed about the garden chores, though I still do have to do the mulching. However, the beds are full enough that I need a lot less than I used to. Also early in spring I planted a whole bunch of Viola tricolor, and they are helping fill in as the perennials fill out. Your garden is looking great!
ReplyDeleteYou'd think with as many plants as I feel I have crammed into my beds there'd be no room for mulch. But somehow it still needs it. I'm wishing I had done it earlier when the ground was more accessible though!
DeleteSummer...always so wonderful and always goes so fast, I like Ricki's philosophy...
ReplyDeleteSo glad you got a Callistemon 'Woodlanders Hardy Red," and that it's going to bloom!
Summer is something we usually all look forward to. The days become both warmer and longer, the sun shines, and the school holidays provide us plenty of time to go out and enjoy ourselves.
ReplyDelete