In May, I was quite pleased to finally have flowers on the ‘Samaritan’ Chinese dogwood (Cornus kousa ‘Samaritan’ below). The dogwood, with excellent green and white variegation, is planted along stone steps that descend from one patio to another between two small ponds in the upper garden. The tree is prominently viewed from the kitchen…
Category: Native plants
After a damp start, this dry late summer continues. Still, the dryness has not been so severe and extended so long that it is much of a problem, except that the gardener anxious to begin planting in early September must be a bit cautious. In recent days I’ve planted a handful of new toad lily…
Readers of this page will find it unsurprising that my wife and I will occasionally disagree about one thing or the other in the garden. In this instance (and in others), I believe it is quite clear that she is misinformed and that I am correct. Perhaps she is only obstinate, knows that I am…
Evidently, I’ve failed. In recent years a a nice patch of butterfly weeds (Asclepias tuberosa, above) has flourished on the dry slope on the back side of the koi pond. Here, it grows and flowers splendidly, but the purpose for planting this patch was to attract butterflies, and there are none. In fact, there’s also hardly even…
A single thunderstorm will not relieve the dryness of several weeks without rainfall. But, who am I to complain? If I had not gotten the itch to plant a few things a week ago I wouldn’t be concerned at all by the lack of soil moisture. This garden has survived spells much drier than this,…
Beetles, caterpillars, and other trifles
The gardener demanding unblemished foliage in the garden is likely to be satisfied only by spraying poisons potent enough to kill every beetle (and earthworm) within a country mile (or a city block). A more disagreeable gardener might suggest artificial foliage to address complaints. There are no such high standards in this garden (Japanese beetles…
No turtles
For no particular reason, my wife and I are disappointed by the lack of turtles in the garden. Only once has one been seen. He lingered in the depths of the koi pond for a few days, the koi ignored him, and then he was gone. Several years ago, a large snapping turtle was seen just…
In the shade
Through trial and error the gardener slowly determines successes and failures. In a sunny garden, answers come more quickly than in shade, and in dry shade successes might not be settled until years after planting. Survival through one, or a few years, does not assure that a plant will tolerate root competition for a longer…
Out of the mud
Finally, I’m able to walk into the back third of the garden without sinking to my ankles in mud. Forecasts predict that this short dry spell could end soon, but I’m thankful that I’ve been able to mow the small section of lawn without having to winch the tractor out (again). Besides the lawn, the…
Back to the garden
After two weeks away, I’m quite relieved that the garden has not become the disaster I feared. While traveling, the gardener envisions many thick stalked weeds sprouting above shrubs with a ground hugging crop spreading seeds below. Certainly, some weeds have popped up, but not in alarming abundance. I will catch up with maintenance quickly…
Stubborn persistence
To avoid discouragement, the gardener must accept repeated failure. Despite best efforts, plants will be lost to cold or drought, to wind and ice, and occasionally to neglect. Others will suffer with circumstances less than ideal, showing meager growth, but managing to survive without too much concern by the gardener. The non-gardener complains of his…
Away for a few weeks
I will be traveling for a few weeks, on business, so don’t send wishes for an enjoyable vacation. In fact, it’s a nice break to be out of the office for a while, and I’ll be visiting many long time acquaintances who own the nurseries our company purchases plants from. I’m always enthused to see…
Ramblin' through Dave's Garden 