Dave – Page 116 – Ramblin' through Dave's Garden

Too many to count

I don’t claim knowledge to distinguish between one bee or wasp and another, any butterfly or moth besides the ubiquitous Tiger swallowtail, or even frogs and toads. Toads, I can identify by sound I suppose, and I’m quite certain that the high pitched, agitated squeals I hear today as I walk along the paths that border…

Until a few weeks ago there was every reason to suspect that the Indian pinks (Spigelia marilandica, below) had disappeared along with so many others as a result of the winter’s cold. Some casualties can be blamed on excess moisture that has plagued the lower part of the rear garden for the past few years,…

Unanticipated treasures

I readily admit that many of the garden’s successes are more a result of complete accident rather than efforts on my part. Certainly, some benefit is derived from good planning. Occasionally, combinations of colors and textures work out just as envisioned, but more satisfying are unanticipated pleasures that have nothing at all to do with…

Arnold is lost

Sadly, the large ‘Arnold Promise’ witch hazel (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’ below) is now a pile of sticks tossed aside in the rear garden. For now, there are too many branches accumulated from shrubs killed in the winter to get rid of them properly, but eventually the piles will be consolidated and disposed of….

Spruce instead of roses

I’m hoping that the worst of summer temperatures holds off for a few more weeks. Already, there have been days here and there when heat and humidity have discouraged any but leisure activities in the garden, but there are a few projects that I’m almost motivated to get started on. If the heat kicks in…

No lions and tigers, but …..

When wildlife is invited into the garden the gardener must be prepared for anything. Of course, not lions or tigers, but possibly bears (below). The cycle of life that we promote is likely to attract beasts of all sorts, large or small, welcomed or not. Some will arrive for the water, shelter, or berries, and…

Bears and hydrangeas

Weeds seem more robust at the start of this summer than I can recall in some time. I’ve been know to ignore weeds a bit too long so that they’re allowed to go to seed (to multiply one into hundreds), and I suspect this is catching up to me. Now, the incessant weed pulling is…

A month of irises

A year ago a clump of Japanese iris (Iris ensata, above) appeared from behind a low growing cypress in the garden that borders the large koi pond. Submerged in shallow water along the pond’s edge are a variety of Japanese and yellow flag irises (Iris pseudacorus, below), so it is not too surprising that a few…

The last of winter’s damage

Two evergreen magnolias that perished in winter still stand at the margin of the rear garden. I haven’t been able to summon the energy to undertake the task to cut these into pieces small enough to dispose of, so they will remain until I’m properly motivated. Only one can be seen by a neighbor, and…

Bigleaf and big tree

The Bigleaf magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla) is tall and gawky, and its enormous size makes it undeniably inappropriate for most properties. But, I cannot think of a single tree in this garden that pleases me more. In flower, it’s wondrous, though the huge blooms are sparse in number compared to other flowering trees. I suspect that many…

Colorful trees for late spring

I cannot explain why ‘Stellar Pink’ (Cornus x ‘Rutgan’) and ‘Satomi’ dogwoods (Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’ below) are barely pink most years in my northwest Virginia garden, but that once in ten years the pink is a deeper, lovelier shade. In fact, these trees have been planted for ten, maybe fifteen years, and only once was…

The assistant gardener

Once temperatures have warmed in late May to the point where there is not the slightest hint of coolness, my wife will occasionally accompany me as I wander about the garden. Several times recently she’s met me at the garage as I arrive home, and I think “oh no” when I see she has pruners…