Month: March 2012

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“THERE IS NOTHING OUT THERE”

Famous words from Margaret Moseley.  For 44 years she has created an incredible garden. She designed and planted everything herself and has done all the maintenance, except grass cutting. (“that’s not gardening”) Only recently has she hired some help.

                                                                                   

These photos show “nothing”.

                                                                                    

                                                                                        

         Can you tell pink is her favorite colour?    

Can’t wait for the next visit. I always learn something new from her garden and I have seen it several times a year for the last 19 years!  

I am sorry the photos of her Kwanzan Cherry Tree  that was in full bloom the day I took these photos were so blurred.     

      

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SOUTHERN AZALEAS

The very first time I saw the Southern Azaleas (Rhododendron indica). They took my breath away.

                                                                                            I planted two of my favorites on the walk to the compost…

                                                                                    

While I love their huge blousey flowers, the ‘Show Girls’ of the azalea world, I planted them because they are lovely evergreen shrubs. Two weeks of blooming beauty is not justification enough to merit the space.

The pink one is George L.  Tabor, the white is G.G. Gerbing.

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WOW! ASAO!!! or THE FIRST CLEMATIS

First clematis to bloom in my garden. Clematis ‘Asao’

                                                                                               

My friend Lyndy Broder is going to show me how to take cuttings of Clematis. This is a good thing; these babies are expensive and there are hundreds out there I want. (Plant Greed raises its ugly head!) Most of the plants I want LIVE in Lyndy’s garden!!  How fortuitous that she is as generous as she is knowledgeable.

I planted over 65 Clematis in my garden, however, not all have survived or been successful. Sometimes, I am told they take holidays… below,

                                                                                               

Clematis ‘ Belle of Woking’ reappearing after a two-year absence.  I thought I lost it.

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FRAGRANCE

I wish there was some way to share the fragrances that permeate the garden. Totally heaven!

                                                                                      

Fragrant Viburnum

                                                                              

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THIS ‘N’ THAT

I’m reposting the photos that were cut off, just to see if they come up where I put them. Anyone else out there having issues with WordPress?

                                                                                   

                                                                     

                                                                                

. And can you believe the weather? The lettuce is going to bolt! This is the year I was able to deter both deer and rabbits…notice the bed surrounded by chicken wire and covered with a tomato cage! It took years to learn this.

                                                                         

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LATE NARCISSUS

Beautiful & fragrant, Narcissus ‘Thalia’ paired with Snowflake (Leucojum) below.

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These are rescued daffs.Late blooming, does anyone know if they are Poeticus Narcissus?

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Phlox divericata running through Trillium cuneatum…..                                                            Image

 Everyday brings changes…one can never be bored; particularly when summer comes in March!                                                 

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BACK IN THE GARDEN

Finally!

Well, I’m back in the garden and dancing as fast as I can .  There is no end to the debris…..

                                                                                                      S,

 Screaming to be pruned are the  ‘ Annabelle’ and paniculata type hydrangeas*,  roses, grapes… the list goes on… plus the hellebores need to be deadhead. (who am I kidding? the hellebores will not get done) This list is for the ornamental garden; right  now the preparation of the beds for vegtables is proirity. This week end we turned the beds  in the potager.

                                                                                      

                                                                               

My friend Julieta of the incredible blog LINDARAXAS GARDEN is buildng a potager.  She will be posting recipes created with the bounty of her garden; and I can’t wait! If you appreciate good food and  have not yet discovered her blog,  you are in for a treat.

So here is a brief outline on how to prepare your soil.

Idealy beds  should be  4′ wide, so one can reach into them (from each side) without the need to step-in,  as this compacts the soil.  Paths between beds should be 18-24″; wide enough to accomadate a wheelbarrow.

                                                                                       

Turning the soil is simply,  a shovel inserted fully into the ground and the soil removed is flipped over. To this  add a good thick (6″) layer of compost, manure & chopped/shredded leaves. (run over a pile of leaves with a lawn mower a few times.) and chop  into this soil, or use a tiller to incorporate. Add another layer of compost etc. and again ‘turn’ this into the soil. This brings  the amendments to where the plant roots will feed.  Water well and let those soil enzymes go to work for a few weeks before planting. NOW  is the time. (the above beds are not yet amended)

 Lacking these amendments; I have had very good luck with  NATURES HELPER and composted cow manure from DIY stores. The best brand is BLACK KOW,it comes in a yellow bag. Avoid the .99 cent variety as it is mostly pine bark and less than 1% manure. If you are fortunate to have a good nursery close by, they should stock soil amendments, buying in bulk is cheaper and it will be delivered.( the bags weigh 20 to 40 lbs.)

                                                                                           In Georgia, lettuce is a cool weather annual, so one grows it in the winter. This year they are maturing very quickly, due to the warm weather, Lots of salad on the menu!

 

**Hydrangeas DO NOT PRUNE THE BIG BLUE MOPHEADS!