I have decided my garden needs Donald Trump.
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| Safrano is working hard. |
There is a lot of my garden that I love. But there are parts. Oh, yes, there are some parts that need to be fired! And I've decided to do it this year.
I've given these plants plenty of time. I've tried everything I know to do to make them happy. Maybe someone else could turn these plants around. But I'm tired of being frustrated, disappointed, and embarrassed by their performance.
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| Mr. Lincoln won't be fired. |
A couple of the plants that are going are roses. :( To be fair, it's not really their fault. I tried to cut costs by buying these off Wal-Mart's parking lot. Big mistake. That's why Connie at Hartwood Roses tells us every year to purchase only quality roses. It really does make a difference!
Of course, I had to learn it the hard way.
So, I tried to save money, but in the end it cost me. Maybe not so much financially, but in time. I'm sad that it came to this. I really don't have the heart to be ruthless. But it was needed. I'm not going to overlook a plant's performance any more. The Donald wouldn't have an underperforming plant in his garden, I'm sure! And if my garden is going to be beautiful - really beautiful - not just in my imagination, but in reality, I need to do this.
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| Tamora is looking good. |
Underperforming plants - you're fired!
Wow, I feel powerful! I just might fire some more plants next year!
Watch out, garden - I'm learning from The Donald!
Not so much about roses. I am giving some plants one last chance by replanting them elsewhere. It's do or die this year! About the lizard on my post. We were watching it walk in circles pulling the skin off with it's mouth and trying to reach it with it's little front feet so I bet it does itch.
ReplyDeleteSome of these plants I've replanted - like the gardenias that seem to not be happy, but just kind of hang on life support!
DeleteWe have several acres, so when I have a plant I am disappointed with, I plant it in some obscure place and let it and Mother Nature work it out.
ReplyDeleteI've thought of doing that, but I don't have an obscure enough place!
DeleteI just want to fire 90% of the lawn...
ReplyDeletehaha - That would be nice!
DeleteHi Holley, I am having a very hard time to throw plants away, too, but I truly believe that if we want to have really wonderful gardens, than we have to get rid of the under performing ones (even if they are roses, sigh). I would be interested to know what roses you have decided to part with. By the way your 'Safrano' looks stunning!
ReplyDeleteChristina
You're right - our gardens can't be really wonderful without wonderful plants. I have a few roses to go - Tropicana has always been a one-cane wonder, and it just won't grow another cane! Showbiz just doesn't like my garden, Camelot has the prettiest bloom, but mine never thrived. And I almost got used to seeing Frontier Twirl blooming without a leaf - but not quite! I know these roses work well for other people, so it may be a little of me, and a little of my garden, or just a bad specimen, but I'm going to bid these roses adieu.
DeleteSheesh...wouldn't want to be an 'underperformer' in your garden right now!!! Watch out 'slackers'!! x
ReplyDeleteIt's taken me years to get to this point - but I do have my eye on a few more! They better watch out! :)
DeleteI know how difficult it is to cull, but you are right about doing it. Should be all about what you love.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
I never see the garden as a whole with these under-performers. They stand out, and not in a good way!
DeleteIt's not personal, it's gardening!
ReplyDeleteYou've made me glad I avoided the bargain roses for the most part. The two I did buy didn't make it through the drought/heat of last year.
Well, last year was a bad year! I have to avert my eyes when I see those 'body bags' at the discount stores. So tempting, but I don't want the heartache anymore!
DeleteThe Donald would not be shy about identifying the losers - and neither should you. What is not working in your garden?
ReplyDeleteNot too much isn't working, a few roses (see the reply to Christina above), a few gardenias. There is a loropetalum that I should get rid of (I may give it one last chance!). It's just enough to be frustrating!
DeleteI did the same thing last year! I wrote about it in my post Accidental Enlightenment. I redesigned a bunch of beds that were complete wrecks, added beds, moved a ton of plants, and gave away plants I loved (3 huge hydrangea) that were always unhappy. I also added types of plants I'd never grown before, such as ornamental grasses. It was a ton of work but I'm glad I did it. I'm already seeing the benefits. :o)
ReplyDeleteI will go back and read your post. How nice that your garden is becoming the garden of your dreams. That's what it's all about, isn't it?
DeleteSometimes a gardener just has to be brutal. But oh, it hurts to dig out a plant and (gulp!) throw it in the trash--at least, it hurts right up to the moment when you discover you now have ROOM! For something new and exciting, that will look beautiful!
ReplyDeleteToday I dug up about half of what I am going to get rid of - and oh, how much nicer the bed looks already! I'm shocked what a (good) difference it made!
DeleteYa I need to be a Donald and go ahead and fire Marie Pavie. I tried I really have but it's no use she just isn't happy in my garden.
ReplyDeleteYour roses are beautiful! A friend of mine has Mister Lincoln and I drool over it when I am there and it is in full bloom. I just don't know about a red rose in my garden but maybe someday somewhere I will add him.
Sorry Marie isn't doing well for you. Maybe put Mr. Lincoln in Marie's place! I was out in the garden today and just couldn't quit sniffing Mr. Lincoln - he smells fabulous!
DeleteStay strong. Two years ago I pulled all the daylilies out of my garden. I did not like them and they were completely taking over. It was a tough decision. I added them to the compost pile so they would add some benefit. It was tough at first, but I really glad I fired the plants that were not team players.
ReplyDeleteThat had to have been a tough decision, but I can tell you're happy now. And that's what matters most - that the garden is better for YOU.
DeleteOuch. I can't imagine firing day lilies!
DeleteMarcia - I knew that you would want to take up for the daylilies! :)
DeleteI just chopped up two very tall and very old pines...it hurt...but they were dying. I purchased a new pint size fir to take the place of two. As much as I hung on, I could not believe how much better it looked without them. These decisions are very hard. Good form!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to get rid of something - especially old trees. I have a couple of trees that may have to come down, but I'm still trying to hang on to them!
DeleteSafrano is lovely!
ReplyDeleteI can just imagine you going round the garden telling the plants that need to go "You're Fired" then cutting them down!
I'll have to put on my best "Donald" face! :)
DeleteSometimes we just have to make an executive decision like Donald would lol. I totally understand...have a few I had to 'fire' from my garden this spring.Then again sometimes the deer beat me to it. Your roses are stunning! Your Tamora looks especially lovely...
ReplyDeleteYou're right! We're the executives in our garden! We have to make the hard decisions!
DeleteI've made some bargain purchases myself. Every single one I got from a discount store died a pitiful death :-( It really is worth investing in good quality plants.
ReplyDeleteSo sad to see them dying, isn't it? :(
DeleteI love watching the The Apprentice and actually used that show in a management class I taught. Your fired to plants can be harder on the gardener than firing underperforming managers is for Trump though I think but it sometimes has to be done.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right - it was harder on me. I just put them out of their misery!
DeleteGood for you. some time ago I volunteered at a botanical garden and people there talked about the garden's director and how one of his biggest achievements was REMOVING plants from the garden! who knew?! but knowing when to take something out can be as smart as putting something in. now go tell some plant they're fired!
ReplyDeleteNow, that's interesting! Maybe I should look around a little closer! :)
DeleteDonald Trump has been to my yard before. I fired our Impatiens --after the rabbits ate them for 2 yrs... I also fired my Petunias --since I could never make them look pretty like others can... Pansies are great. I won't 'fire' them....
ReplyDeleteMr. Lincoln hasn't bloomed here yet...
Hugs,
Betsy
My pansies have been exceptionally pretty this year. Usually they look bad. Not sure what I did differently, but I'm not going to fire them! :)
DeleteToo funny. You had me going with that title. And yes I've fired some plants here too.
ReplyDeleteI can see how much better my garden is looking already. Maybe I should issue a few more pink slips!
DeleteI thought you were going to have a rose called The Donald. Lucky you were referring to his show!
ReplyDeletehaha - I wonder what color rose "The Donald" would be. .... Gold, do you think?
DeleteHa, great title! In my last post, I talked about how I 'fired' some dianthus by throwing them over the fence, only to find them several weeks later looking all lush and wonderful over in the empty lot next door! I guess they just needed a different working environment!
ReplyDeleteThat is too funny! Well, at least you get to see something pretty when you look over there!
DeleteI don't blame you Holley. Garden real estate is too valuable for non performers to just lounge around! "The Donald" visits my garden every so often too. I enjoyed your post. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe Donald must get around! ;) I'm going to have to be a bit more ruthless with the plants in my garden, although it's going to be hard!
DeleteI feel fortunate that my neighbor, who rents out both the main and kitchen house on my urban long lot has said I can plant up whatever I want on our shared spaces. This has allowed me to 'fire' plants without killing them. All my plants have a major case of anthropomorphism and if I didn't have the ability to move them somewhere where they can live long and prosper without messing up 'my' gardens, I think I'd be a lot less cutthroat. I think, no, I know you are doing the right thing.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's hard to dig them up when you have taken the time to name them, talk to them, check their growth, etc. How nice that yours just get put in "time out"!
DeleteHolley, I need to take a page from your book. I always feel so guilty when I "fire" a plant. Generally, I tend to put poor performers off in one of the more hidden corners of the garden. Sometimes, if I am feeling really unhappy with them, I put them in a spot the dogs like to frequent for a snooze. There it is a case of do or die, which is even more brutal than "Your fired!"
ReplyDeleteI think the biggest guilt I have is the money I spent on them! I've been trying to cover them up, hide them a bit, with even more plants, but it hasn't been helping. I hate to admit that I think the garden will look better without them at all.
DeleteGo to it, Hollie. I actually find it pretty satisfying, even therapeutic, to get rid of under-performers. Just don't come gunning for me, OK? Dave
ReplyDeleteMaybe I should adopt your perspective - satisfying and therapeutic! :)
DeleteI fired many this year already and cleaning house some more as the season progresses...
ReplyDeleteI think this may be a big clean up year for me, too!
DeleteI understand your past hesitation! We are programmed to nurture the plants, and like children, we forgive their small failures and help them as best we can to further achievements. SO when they disappoint us over and over after our best care what do we do? Well, with the children, we have to keep at it, but a rose bush? To the compost heap!
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly how I feel. Such hope in each plant, and when they don't perform, I still have that hope. I guess I just need to learn when to realize my hopes are not to be.
DeleteI have a hard time firing plants in my garden. It does happen though.....
ReplyDeleteI guess it happens to us all. So glad to know it's not just me!
DeleteThis post really made me laugh! I can just imagine "the Donald" walking around a rose garden, shouting rudely at the plants :-) You are right - no one needs to be so ruthless as a gardener.
ReplyDeletehaha - I imagined it, too! I guess for a gardener, we just need to imagine a great garden designer coming to our garden, and we would get rid of the embarrassing plants immediately!
DeleteGreat post! I know we all want to fire some plants, or I continue to move them around....LOL. Be sure to check out my previous post on "Spring has Sprung".
ReplyDeleteI am also your newest follower. I hope you visit and follow along. Linda
Welcome, Linda! I am very bad about moving plants around. Poor things are just gypsies in my garden! :)
DeleteOh, I love this - firing plants in my garden!
ReplyDeleteI guess I shouldn't feel so guilty! I guess we all have to fire a plant or two at some point!
DeleteWish I could do this more often, but my plants are very cunning. When I identify a poor performer, they then go and give a wonderful display, so I leave them and they go back to their old ways. Memo to self...must be more ruthless.
ReplyDeleteI've got a couple that are trying that on me, and have started looking better the last couple of weeks. I'm going to give them another year or two. I hope they're not fooling me!
DeleteI've got several that need to get the boot. It's hard, I have guilt. But I've only got this garden and if I'm serious about having a 'magical' garden I'd better step up and fire a few of the free loaders. Thanks for the words of ... toughness. I needed them.
ReplyDeleteI need to remember them, too. It's hard being tough!
DeleteWow! I felt powerful just in reading your blog and I thought 'hey, she's a friend of mine!' :)
ReplyDeleteGetting rid of the plants that don't thrive is just the right thing to do, I am with you 100%. The only thing is that sometimes we keep going on and on with non-performers just because we feel pity for them and to somehow make up for the times in our lives when we didn't perform and somebody treated us the Donald way. Let us know about the fired ones!
Your safrano is beautiful! I planted it last winter and after making me believe he was dead he's now growing and setting flowerbuds! Is your Safrano good scented? I can't wait to smell it...
I do feel pity for them. It's just sad to boot a plant out of the garden! But I am going to have to remember to be powerful! :) As for safrano, I have read that some feel it is very fragrant, some say no fragrance. I say a little fragrance. Being a tea rose, I think it all has to do with whether you can smell the 'tea' scent or not. It took mine a few years to really start blooming well. How exciting for you that yours is setting buds now! I hope you love it.
DeletePowerful. You go girl! I feel the same way. We spend a lot of time and money to get some beauties and if the results aren't nice then toss it and get some more. I am moving some things to see if they do better - they may survive or not but I'm giving them a chance. So far one of my hydrangea's are doing much better in it's new location. I agree about the quality roses.
ReplyDeleteYes, I just need to just find a place to put these, that way I won't feel guilty at all! :)
DeleteYou're right! If a plant doesn't perform either because it's a bad plant or I made a bad decision about it being able to cope with the cliamte etc. out it goes, if possible to someone who will love it and be able to give it the conditions it wants or to the compost heap to help feed its replacement!
ReplyDeleteI think this has been a hard lesson for me to learn. But maybe I should get the hang of it - I know the garden will look much better!
DeleteSounds like a plant. What about a Queen Elizabeth?
ReplyDeletehaha - Do you think Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth would pair well? Not sure - but he wouldn't be able to fire her! :)
DeleteIt would seem I need to follow your lead. I have a trumpet vine that has never hardly grown at all and never once flowered, I'm going to give it another chance by moving it and it is it's last chance.
ReplyDeleteRoses, I've been planning on buying some and am going to heed your advice and not buy them at a big box store. They are cheaper but I used to work in the garden dept at one and I know how poorly they are taken care of.
That's unusual for a trumpet vine. I hope it does well for you after the move. I hope you get some very nice roses!
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