Robins in the treetop, blossoms in the grass,
Green things a-growing, everywhere you pass.
---Thomas Bailey Aldrich
Following a recent visit to the Oregon Garden, I've fallen into a rhythm of industrious contentment as the skies clear and the green things begin to grow once again.
Time slows in the garden. My mind quiets and my thoughts wander. I move earth around with gloved hands; planting and pruning. Pulling up weeds and putting in flowers. A straw hat shading my eyes from the sun.
Rethinking the santolina, which has taken over an entire section of the herb garden. To prune or to plunder...that is the question with it now. Or shall I give it a new home somewhere else in the yard where it can wander without constraint. Or complaint. Sometimes you bring a little something home in a 4" pot with vision and confidence, only to have it morph into something else entirely. It was not the same variety I had planted before. Of that I am certain. Apparently it grew throughout the winter without any problem at all. A reminder that winter was mild here. Lovely though it is, it's tendency to swallow up everything around it prevails. The bee balm is a paltry specimen now. Sad and droopy from lack of nourishment and light. I'm hoping a little effort will revive it.
A bedding of bulbs is also in danger. Finding new "homes" and places to plant them is foremost on my mind before construction on the new deck begins. A rescue mission of sorts.
A bouquet of colorful songbirds, swooping in and out of birdhouses and trees, add background music to the long peaceful hours spent puttering in the garden. Don't ya just love this "high density" bird condo? (Compliments of Oregon Garden). Before you chop that tree to the ground, consider this garden feature as an alternative. I wish I would've seen this idea before we had so many of our trees removed.
On another acre of land, in another part of the woods, we find this. Best to keep moving! A rolling stone gathers no moss, as they say. I'll be back with more garden wonders to share again soon. Yay! Summer is here!
I've just come in from working in my garden too. I'm pooped, and needed a break. I've just added three white hydrangeas, dalhias, cranesbill and "Lady's Mantle", and still have lupins to plant along with some new ferns around the little pond. I'm been moving slower while regaining my health, so I've been appreciating in some ways our slower start to summer here. It has been perfect weather here the last few days for gardening though. Not too hot with some drizzle.
I think it's nice to put things that sort of take over into their own beds, or into pots. I always put mint into pots for example.
I'm looking forward to seeing more of your garden, Vicki.
Take care,
Lena
Posted by: Account Deleted | June 29, 2012 at 02:00 PM
A new deck? That sounds like a big project. I hope that you are able to tame those flowers that are growing a bit bossy in the garden and to save those that might be in danger during construction. I enjoyed the description of your working in the garden. I am glad that, except for the errant weed, I am done in mine.
Posted by: Vee | June 29, 2012 at 06:15 PM
Oh my, you have been busy. The new additions certainly sound lovely. Our "Lady's Mantle" has become rather large now...they do spread! I love how water drops turn into little crystal pearls on their leaves. The weather has been the same here. A soft drizzle is my preferred weather for gardening too, however,it has turned into a downpour at the moment. I am inside today making creme of mushroom soup (from scratch) and baking bread. The house smells wonderful!
Posted by: ~Vicki | June 30, 2012 at 01:45 PM
Yes, the deck is a big project but necessary as the old one is just about rotted away. We will not be doing this work ourselves though, so it shouldn't be more than a week of chaos and mayhem around here. And then a bathroom re-do because the shower sprung a leak. I tell ya, it never ends. That carpenter ant problem we had awhile back is no more, so we are making progress!
Posted by: ~Vicki | June 30, 2012 at 01:50 PM
I thoroughly enjoyed your writings in this post. Everything sounded so poetic. You have a gift for writing. I love the photo of the old truck covered in moss...very interesting! I love it the surrounding landscapes has taken it for it's own.
Posted by: Bonnie@WhatAboutPie | July 01, 2012 at 11:49 AM
Oh I hope they do spread, as I have lots of space to fill. I imagine that mornings after it rains must sparkle with Ladys Mantle growing in a garden.
Your meal sounds delicious. I can smell that bread baking all the way up here in my neck of the woods!
xo
Posted by: Account Deleted | July 02, 2012 at 03:45 PM