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I thought I would manage to tame at least a portion of this area but goldenrod and wild raspberry canes have run amuck through a carpet of grass. Even the small areas I had initially cleared of weeds and covered in mulch are a mess. The biggest thistle I have ever seen is residing next to the weigelia. I had good intentions for this garden but instead I avoided it for months in favor of other projects.
The tractor tire that I planted in spring with Lavatera and Sedum has likewise been encased in weeds.
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And the side bed that was started as a temporary space for extra plants eventually gave way to some of the largest dandelions you have ever witnessed.
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| The Diablo Ninebark are completely lost in the dandelions |
But if we look hard enough there are some benefits to my lacklustre housekeeping skills. The raspberries blossomed and produced fruit.
Obedient plant blew in on the wind and seeded itself.
As did the beautiful red flowers of this scarlet flax
And the ever cheerful faces of pansies have appeared in the cool air of autumn
Not perfect but not so bad after all.
21 comments:
That lovely pansy is an editorial comment from Mother Nature. She likes you! And I like your honest humanity. Really we are just people doing stuff, and sometimes not every last dumb thing gets done in the perfect timely fashion. All those plants are growing and will be there when you are. Great blog.
Yes, gardening can get away from us. But there is that silver lining that even in neglect blooms continue -- and there is a wild beauty all around.
Oh, the same story here. But the funny thing about it is, it was actual garden tours that caused my neglect on the weeds. I was so involved with work and garden tours locally that I did not even trim the yews and boxwood in my garden. They got kinda shaggy. The perennials were newly planted and needed growing time and quickly got away from me. I know next year all will have to be attended, so I say, 'there is always next year'.
Gardens can quickly go to weed. But, they just as quickly get back in order, so no worries. My motto? There's always next year! I haven't been showing full garden shots, either. But my problems areas are from plants looking bad from the drought! Seems there's always something!
Given what a huge area you have to look after, and how many projects you have on the go, I find it rather reassuring - and utterly unsurprising - that you haven't been able to keep on top of it all. My aim up at the allotment is to always be able to say that I can see that I have done something when I leave, rather than being distraught at all the things I haven't done. It doesn't always work, but it has helped me stay sane and keep going. Since you have made so many great changes in your garde, I think you should celebrate those rather than feeling bad about the weedy bits. Besides, as you noted, there is still a lot of beauty amongst the neglect.
It is so easy sometimes to neglect parts of the garden especially when you have such a large one to tend with. Sometimes life just gets in the way of these things :) I love goldenrod and it is a great fall blooming plant for the butterflies. I have them growing in the empty lots around my house and I often think of digging some up to put in my garden.
Hmmmmmmm you're avoiding, I'm procrastinating...we need to give ourselves a good talking to lol! So do your pansies bloom twice - I haven't seen mine bloom in the fall before?
Linnie, thank you and welcome to the blog. It's easy to take close up photos of pretty flowers but sometimes much more difficult to take wide shots that show the true nature of my garden.
Nitty Gritty - it's a sign mother nature really is in control isn't it?
Donna - thank goodness for that saying. I've been thinking that a lot lately. Next year I will try again!
Holley - I found out just how quickly this year! There's other areas I still haven't shown yet and the weeds became something of a disaster. You're right though, if it wasn't weeds there would surely be something other affliction causing me worry.
Janet - your motto is a great one. I need to remember that more. So often after working for hours on end I see very little change. I need to remember what I did get done as opposed to what I didn't.
Karin - The goldenrod is a lovely plant and it spreads very well! I have no issues with it in the hedgerow and meadow. But it likes to leap into flower beds whenever it gets the chance.
Jane - I believe they bloom twice, once in the spring and once in the fall but it could be altogether new plants? I've got pansies everywhere from tiny wee spreading things to big bright blooms and they spread a lot of seed. I find them popping up in containers and fresh soil everywhere.
There is still so much there to enjoy...always love the way a garden just keeps on giving even through neglect. The scarlet flax is so pretty.
None of our gardens are perfect...especially this time of year. Mine is suffering from the drought.
You will love your Diablo as it gets bigger and bigger. I love Ninebark.
Marguerite you work and have a home to keep there are only so many hours in a day no wonder you haven't time for the garden chores too, as Janet says focus on what you have done,
I have found writing a short list of some of the things I'd like to do before I go into the garden then it gives me great satifaction when I come in for refreshment to tick the work done, sometimes it's only one chore, it also helps stop me jumping from job to job finishing none,
I bet mother nature and her workers love your garden, Frances
Marguerite, I always marvel at how quickly weeds take hold and grow. It seems like you simply turn your back and ...bam!, they've taken over. Added to that, some years the garden just doesn't get the attention we hope we can give it. That's all part of the journey, enjoy it!
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and I'm beholding some gorgeous pics of your gardens. I do feel your pain as I've had so many distractions this season that I haven't kept up either.
Next year...
Sometimes there are beautiful surprised in imperfection, and you have showed us some 'perfect' examples.
Hi Marguerite, I am heading into deep fall with many garden projects left unfinished and one flowerbed that has gone completely run amuck, so you aren't alone. I have maybe an hour a day, if I am lucky, to garden. I depend on the fact that some beds are little or no work. These beds are in the shade (so weeds look elsewhere) and are well mulched. Honestly, a well mulched bed is my only weapon to keep the weeds at bay.
The lavatera looks wonderful BTW. The ninebark will eventually dwarf the dandelions. And there is always next year... Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
If you're going to have weeds (and don't we all??), you can't do much better than to have goldenrod (a beautiful pollinator magnet) and raspberries (yummy!). Thistle is another matter -- although it is beautiful when it's in bloom. :-) -Jean
You have such a huge garden that is a wonder you get as much done as you do! Think back to the beginning and pat yourself on the back. Gardens are always still "in the making". :)
I agree with Ms. S! Your garden is enormous and when you have to spend time between gardening with "work", it really slows a gal down. I've found working handy, though, since it helps pay for the garden! I bet your garden is packed with pollinators since a lot of the plants we consider weeds they consider lunch. :o)
Hi Marguerite, it has been awhile and now that things have quieted a little at the trails of Hats'n Hospitalitea I'm able to come visit more often, and can even blog a day here and there. I'm also guilty of the garden. Don't forget how big your garden is and it is a lot to care for, believe me I know. We start out with great expectation and end up with a few weeds, so what. Do you know in the eyes of the beholder a garden is always beautiful. Take care and have a great weekend
I'm glad I am not the only gardener whose garden outcompetes her on occasion. I agree though, even when the garden reclaims areas I had envisioned differently, it's rarely a bad thing. I expect you've had a wonderful array of pollinators appreciating all that goldenrod, and relishing in the raspberry blossoms and fruit, and the other blooms are lovely too. Sometimes it's just not possible to get everything done we'd like to. I'm about four years behind on some of our chores here!
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