Lazy Fair

I confess I sometimes take a laissez faire approach to my yard, which is usually NOT a good thing. Plants get out of control, or worse, they die. The place starts to look like a jungle and becomes overwhelming in a very short time.

Topped cherry trees

Maybe it is the orchard and its requirements for severe pruning, but this summer I have been turning a critical eye toward the shrubbery and trees. That critical eye is frequently followed by a limb saw and/or lopper and/or snipper of one sort or another.

Topped apple trees

If I were more on top of things, I would have taken before and after photos. I might not have even taken these shots, but I'm reacquainting myself with an older, more compact camera, to take on the Garden Fling in Minneapolis come July. The light was not the best in most of these cases, but I think the camera itself will do.

Trimmed up redbud tree

The redbud tree closest to the deck was blocking my view of the backyard, so it was one of the first to get trimmed up. The other two received similar treatment. A plus to trimming up is it is easier to reach the base of the trees, which in this case allows me to keep the cardinal vine plants watered.

Trimmed up viburnum and redbud tree

Another plus to pruning is it keeps one shrub from impinging too much on its neighbor. This is a real problem with my forsythia, which are planted too close to the arborvitae. I've taken to whacking them severely.

Trimmed up arrowwood viburnums

Trimming up also allows more light to reach the bed underneath, inviting contemplation of what to plant as understory plants.

Trimmed up purple smoke tree

I have been more diligent about weeding. The other day it was the Canada thistle under attack, as the plants were starting to form buds. Yesterday it was something I don't know the name of but that is particularly prolific. Today I pulled errant northern sea oats from behind the rhododendron. (For more about battling weeds, see gardeninacity's post. What he said.)

Volunteer oak tree

More diligent weeding has uncovered some surprises: the baby oak tree above and the volunteer elm tree below. I plan to let the elm continue to grow in situ, between the Viburnum prunifolium and a Rose of Sharon shrub; it will break of the monotony of a row of bushes. If I keep the oak, it will have to move away from the house and into the yard, then survive absent minded mowing.

Volunteer elm tree

Regarding the gayfeather mentioned recently, I did move it, to the prairie sampler bed on the south side of the house. Initially, it is pouting - no one likes to relocate - but I think it will be very happy there, eventually.

Moping gayfeather

In sadder news, something got to the broccoli plants.

Bitten broccoli

I took a tour of the garden fence and discovered this breach.

Animal incursion

Previously, I had reinforced this corner with additional poultry netting, as little bunnies were squeezing in and out of there. Apparently, that did not stop something bigger (woodchuck? rabbit?) from bypassing my effort. Sometimes I wonder why I bother to grow edibles at all.

Another found plant

After releasing some hostas from their weedy prison, I started cutting back the rest of the crap in that area and discovered this:

I kept nudging the back of my mind and came up with liatris. A blog search reveals that this plant is most likely a liatris spicata, a.k.a. gayfeather, moved to its current location during a remodel of the house.

More than likely I will move it one more time, to the south side of the house. I don't think it bloomed last year - it probably needs more sun and fewer weeds.

Meanwhile, the 'Betty Corning' clematis seemed destined to be prone instead of upright. Despite supporting rebar, the two trellises kept toppling over. Today I secured them to the downspouts at each corner of the den. I have tied 'Betty' to the downspouts before, so I think this should be a safe solution.

I am still amazed at how well the Alberta spruce and two juniper chinensis have done in this location.

Flip Flop

A co-worker of mine was describing how he and his wife have different styles when it comes to major home improvement. After they gnaw on a project for a while, he gets worn down and says, "Fine. Do whatever you want. I don't care." She, on the other hand, leans in the opposite direction: "Just forget about it. We just won't do it at all." Yin and yang.

Well, that's what goes on in the back of my mind all day long. I go back and forth, weighing the options, changing my mind about every 30 minutes. Today, I called the estimator guy and left a message. In the couple of hours it took for him to get back to me, I had pretty much decided to just scrap the whole room addition. But then he called and now I'm excited all over again. Tomorrow he is stopping by with the guy who does the architectural drawings. Thursday he will be back for some final negotiations. I need to plop some money down. Then I will quit vacillating.

All the plant moving I have been doing is in preparation for the room addition. Besides yesterday's transplanting, I also moved some daisies from the south side of the house to fill in the hole by the monarda in the front yard. Then I moved a young hydrangea from the front of the house to where the daisies had been. Then I plan to move the yellow daylilies from the south side to the front, to make room for coneflower that will be rescued from its location beside the Florida room. And I still haven't figured out where to put the blue hosta, Avant-Garde clematis, and two columbines that can't stay where they are next to the soon-to-be-gone deck.

Tonight all I did was water, though. There is a chance of scattered thunderstorms, but we all know what that means: fat chance!

Meanwhile, the gayfeather gets gayer...



... more tiger lilies show their true colors...



... not to be outdone by the daylilies...



... and the hostas are coming on fast.



The prednisone is doing its thing for Betsy Beagle. She is beginning to be interested in life and popcorn again. Not quite bushy tailed yet, but definitely bright eyed.

Stellaaaa!

Despite dedicated deadheading of the Stellas, a few seed pods have slipped past, due no doubt to my poor technique. I am learning something about daylilies from such intimate contact, like how only one blossom per stalk is in full bloom at one time. We are down to the last of the blooms. What happens next? Does the plant send up fresh stems of incipient buds? Do the current stems have to dry up and fall off first? Will all my efforts be for naught? Stay tuned.

This morning I did manage to get the last of the 'Jethro Tull' planted, but there is room for one more if I care to make that purchase. Tonight no other tasks were completed, as the air is heavy with a brewing storm. The weather forecasters are promising us strong winds, one or two inches of rain, and maybe hail. The wind is gaining strength, but I'll believe the rest when I see it.

Hopefully, the wind/rain/hail won't disturb these pots.



My SO helped move these: three miniature apples and three pots brimming with tomato, pepper, and hardy aster plants (I know - weird combination). These guys needed to be out of the way while I mulched, but they will also get more sun here. They can't stay forever, as this deck is to be transformed into my new room.

Yes, I picked a builder, although he has to do one more estimate. I am happy with my plans and will turn off the part of my brain that has been churning ever since I first hatched the idea of replacing the Florida room. Now I am anxious to get started.

But first... I will have to dig up some plants that are next to the deck, including this Avant-Garde clematis.



A previous photo of the flowers was less than flattering, but they grow prettier each day. The blossom itself is very interesting, with a chrysanthemum-style center, surrounded by petals. And in the very center is a droopy appendage. Very odd.

What is also odd that how I put forth all this effort to attract hummingbirds, and what do they prefer?



The volunteer milkweed. Good thing these smell so sweet.

The gayfeather, aka Liatris spicata, are here.



These fellows are enjoying additional sun this year, so hopefully they will bulk up a bit so I can divide them in the future.

And now the unknown lilies:



If I dig around a bit, I may be able to find the name of this gorgeous redhead...



... but the blonde was one of about six freebies I received from a mail order place many moons ago.



One of these days I will look through some notes and try to identify these beauties.



For now, I will just enjoy them.