1st row, left : removed all ivy covering garage wall; started new pathright : Japanese yew now appear too large for area
2nd row; left : removed overgrown rhododendron by pond
right : cleared area near pergola
March brought a lot of rain this year and we had water coming into the garage. We had to remove all the Ivy from the walls and excavate a trench all the way across which meant moving a lot of soil and plants.
As it was the end of the season last year when I collected and planted all the shrubs I didn't give it a lot of thought. I just wanted to get it filled in before winter. Now that Spring is finally here I've been studying the layout and the more I saw it the less I liked it.
The fall of Queen Marie left my garden out of scale. Its a lot like dominos -when one falls the others follow. The Japanese Yew now appears to overwhelm my small plot and so does the ' Olga Mezzit ' Rhododendron. They'll have to go.
Starting over with a blank canvas. In the meanwhile I've got a lot of plotting and planting to do. Oh well I'm always working in other peoples garden and now I have a chance to work in mine.
Stay tuned for updates.
It never ends, does it? Just when I thought I had all the gardens "finished", we decided this year we're going to have the patio and sidewalks torn up and repaved, which will mean heavy workmen's boots, collapsing soil, and much hand-wringing on my part. I will have to remind myself that it's an opportunity. I look forward to seeing how your project evolves!
ReplyDeleteThe work of a gardener is never done, but it is so much fun! Howdy Ma!
ReplyDeleteIt is a domino effect! I recently experienced it with home improvement projects...Ripping out those big shrubs is hard, but the reveal is good space! It will be a pleasure to see your new garden plans! gail
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the way it happens? Just like painting a bedroom in your house; once that's done, the window treatments need to be changed, or the hallway painted, etc.
ReplyDeleteI am with you, I have moved things way too often. The good news is, plants are tough. And it is a good time to do it. Hang in there, I am sure it will be lovely and you made great choices in the new shrubs. ~Brooke
ReplyDeleteI certainly understand the domino effect! I've been wanting to remove some overgrown shrubs, but am trying to convince Husband they need to go. When and if they do, I'll have to do some major changes in that part of the garden. Is a garden ever really finished?:)
ReplyDeleteFunny how that works Carolyn! I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with your newly-blank canvas!
ReplyDeleteReading this post reminded me about the arborvitae hedge in our side yard, which, after a couple of ice storms last winter actually looks like dominos.
Tis a truth, those dominos tumble when one goes. It will be fun to see how your garden evolves from here.
ReplyDeleteApt title for this post! Thanks for sharing the background work. Now we'll look forward to seeing the results!! :-) (We just received a couple inches or so of snow. Hope everything under the cover is doing alright!)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you lost your Mariesii, Carolyn (I don't think I knew that.) But as you observe, this creates a new canvas, and an artist like you responds wonderfully. It'll be fun to watch the evolution.
ReplyDeleteThe domino effect is well proven - obviously. One change anywhere requires numerous further changes. I applaud your being able to meet the challenge without much gnashing of teeth.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for visiting. I'm waiting for good weather to start planting.
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