Sunday, August 18, 2013

Double Work

My husband is so patient with me.  After posting yesterday about the Arborvitae, I decided the shrub on the right in the photo could stand to be moved over juuuust a little bit more to the right.  Now mind you part of the reason why it looks like it's too far left in yesterday's picture is because the photo shows the front of the house at an angle.  But Tom humored me by re-digging a hole about 5" over from the original spot, and now I think it's pretty much perfect.  What do you think?  Here's a new shot of the front taken straight-on.  Today is a gloomier day, but it gives you an idea of its location:



Thank you, hon, for enduring one of your least favorite things in the world, double-work, for me.  :)

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Arborvitae

Today we went out to Lowes to pick up something I've been thinking about adding to the front for a little while.

Arborvitae!


I've been dissatisfied for a while with the Rhododendrons we bought for the foundation of the front of the house.  They haven't seemed healthy, they've grown very slowly, and even though they're "evergreen," in the cold Ohio winters their leaves would curl up tight. 

In this picture taken earlier this month you can see...or maybe you can't...our tiny Rhododendrons that were supposed to be the foundation around which the other plantings in the front revolved.


Now, the fact that they are soooo slow growing might have bothered my impatient personality a bit, but if there's one thing gardening has taught me it's how to be more patient.  So the real problem wasn't how long they were taking to grow, but their condition and health.  They just didn't seem happy where they were.

We decided to keep the center Rhododendron since it is by far the healthiest of the three.  Hopefully it will still grow big and healthy, albeit slowly.  But on the corners we replaced the Rhododendrons that weren't doing so well with Arborvitae, which should quickly grow, and reach up to 12' tall (we can keep it cut back if need be) and 4' wide.  It'll be a nice evergreen accent that you can actually SEE in the winter and summertime.

So where did we put the Rhododendrons we pulled up?  Well they weren't dead, just not entirely happy, so we moved them to the back yard.  You can see them at far left and far right in this picture (the one on the right was the least healthy of the three...I hope it likes its new spot:


Aaaand here's one more gratuitous shot of some pretty Zinnias we have growing by the garage:


Sunday, August 11, 2013

Princess Petra: Two Surprises

After hearing murmurs on the internet among gardening circles about Surprise Lilies starting to bloom, I was surprised myself to find one in my back yard.  It bloomed behind our garage, in a spot no one ever sees, so I went ahead and cut it to enjoy inside.



Another princess done this weekend, and with Princess Petra, not only am I almost halfway done with all twelve (she is #5), but the first corner of the room is complete.


Before you ask, yes....Princess Petra is a subtle homage.  To what?  Look closer:


Still not getting it?  One more hint: the princesses have no last names, but if she did, it would be Parker.

I love my husband. ;)


Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Princesses Julia and Delphina

The twin princesses are done!

Princess Julia


And Princess Delphina


Even in their enchanted state they reach for each other: