Prove it!
O.k., Here's my argument:
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| The Walking Garden in October |
This picture was taken last October. Look at the bottom right. The plant there is pavonia:
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| Pavonia |
This area of my garden has been full of pavonia for several years.
I love pavonia (also called rock rose). It's easy, blooms continually in summer, even in extreme heat. Plus, it's pretty. But, I just never cared for it in this area.
Why not?
I wanted a red and yellow color scheme in this area, and this was just too much pink. The entire area was pink, and it always looked a bit out of place here. Still, I lived with my garden this way for a while, hoping they would grow on me. But, I knew. I knew the first year they just weren't right.
Then why did you buy them?
Don't ask so many questions! You just want me to admit that that's what happens sometimes with impulse purchases!
Anyway, I got a good deal on some variegated liriope, and so I bought them. (Yes, another impulse purchase. I detect a pattern, but I'm not changing my impulse-buying ways!) So, there they sat, waiting to be planted, for several weeks, with me trying to decide where I would put them.
About that same time, I started cleaning up the garden beds.
Is this going to be a long story?
Yes! Be patient!
As I was saying, I started cleaning up around the pavonia, and decided to thin them out just a bit. But then I thinned them a bit more. And a bit more.
Finally, I just pulled them all out!
Obviously, you must have had something planned for this area to pull all the plants out, right?
Of course not! But, the variegated liriope was just sitting there, waiting patiently to be planted! So, I used it. And I like its bright foliage. And, really, the poor little quince was being suffocated by the pavonia. So it's better this way.
Are you trying to convince me, or yourself?
Probably myself, but so far, I really like it. I think that this area now allows the eye to rest, highlighting the roses in the other portion of this bed. I also like the variation in height. So, I'm really liking it, so far.
Really?
Well, I do have other things planted in there. Irises, as you can see - I love the foliage even when they're not in bloom. A 'Hot Lips' sage next to the birdbath, cannas (tall red ones in the back and some short yellow ones), some peonies (not sure what kind these are, but for now I'm just happy with the contrast of foliage), 'May Night salvias, a 'Mystic Spires' salvia in the back, and I've ordered some Peacock Orchids (Gladiolus murielae). I think their tall, spiky foliage will make a nice contrast to the floppy foliage of the variegated liriope and the fat foliage of the cannas. So, as the summer progresses, this area will continue to fill in.
So, yes, I'm happy!
For now, at least!
Oh, brother!
I believe I have had several similar discussions with my DB. :) I think you are on the right track. It looks grand.
ReplyDeleteThanks - I'm not sure it looks grand right now, but hopefully by summer's end, when everything has filled in. At least, then I'll know what needs to be different! :)
DeleteHa! Too funny ;-) I like the height contrast. I have always loved the look of variegated liriope and my mom has some planted in almost every area of her garden. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteI'm liking the height contrast, too. This is my first time with variegated liriope, but I do love that beautiful foliage!
DeleteWell, I'm not so happy because now I need variegated liriope, too. I love the way it looks in your 'new do'. P. x
ReplyDeletehaha - Pam! Isn't that the way it always is? We see a plant on someone's blog or in someone's garden, and we just have to have it, too! :)
DeleteMany husbands and wives run out of things to say. It's good to talk ...
ReplyDeleteWe are together all day every day. It's amazing that we haven't run out of things to talk about - but we haven't! :)
DeleteI really enjoyed this post. I like the old look and the new look. You just have a talent for making things look great. I recently decided that I wanted most of my Butterfly Bushes in the back garden removed. Some of them were volunteers and I realized that these volunteers did not have very deep roots, so they started pulling out of the ground last year when it rained a lot. My hubby dug and pulled them right out. Now I have room for other things that I like better. So far I've replaced them with an Azalea, an evergreen Witch Hazel and an evergreen Gardenia.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to have volunteer butterfly bushes! I think as a gardener, we will continually move things around! I've often wondered if anyone really has a garden that "stays put". Not sure I'd enjoy that!
DeleteI do detect that you are trying to convince yourself that your changes were planned! But like a lot of things, you know it when you see it, and you just know now that taking out that pavonia was right. And the look of the liriope is right. Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm still trying to convince myself, since I obviously didn't plan this area - and so that gives me some doubt. But I think I will like it, and I am happy that the pavonia is gone.
DeleteThe new plantings are quite a bit more restful than the pavonia. Since that's where you wanted to go with the new look, it works beautifully. Until you change your mind again....
ReplyDeletehaha - Yes - until I change my mind again! That's one thing about this garden area - it has lots of "wiggle room" to change things!
DeleteI have to admit, this conversation sounds eerily familiar. Especially me and the impulse buying part. I like your "before" but your adjustments are nice too. This morning, a coworker was asking me why I garden. I told her it's a lot of work but the design process is so fun. She could relate...sort of. :) Well you know what I mean, don't you. :)
ReplyDeleteThe design process is fun, because it's challenging. It's three dimensional, changes from year to year, and even changes throughout the year! So much more to play with than just a room in a house!
DeleteChange is good, it brings more fire and drive to the hobby :) and nice change you have done there!
ReplyDeleteI think you're right! It does bring more fire and drive to it! :)
DeleteFunny. Good thing my planting windows are small or I'd be moving everything too. I always have a list of what needs out of a bed or new for a bed somewhere.
ReplyDeleteI have moved around a LOT this spring - and am still moving things! But, I have one area (the corner garden) that I am very pleased with, and the rest, well, I guess we'll see - if not, I'll be moving them again!
DeleteIt's your canvas, so you can do what you want with it. And if you want to change things up and switch the characters around, it's your prerogative. I'm sure it will be lovely no matter what you do with it, Holley!
ReplyDeleteThat's one thing I love about gardening - it's ever changing! Even without me moving things around, there's plenty of change taking place in the garden!
DeleteYou are cracking me up!!! It sounds like conversations I have with my husband every spring!!! What I like about you is that you are a top notch gardener who doesn't take herself to seriously!!!! You have fun!!! And it shows in your gorgeous garden!!! ( I like them there too!!!)
ReplyDeleteI usually try to move things around when he's not looking! :O) But, this was something that couldn't be hidden! He wonders why I plant things if I'm not going to be happy with them in the long run. I would have to say, he does have a point...
DeleteI think the discussions help to re-design the garden and give new ideas. I listen all advices and conversations and do what I think it's needed.
ReplyDeleteYour garden is wonderful and I love the iris too!
You're right- discussions fuel new ideas, which make for better design. Great advice!
DeleteVery amusing and sounds very familiar!
ReplyDeleteMost of us have probably had this conversation at one time or another!
DeleteOh if only we gardeners were happy at last...but that would take the fun out of it....I look at it like redecorating the inside of the house...I need to change it up periodically to be happy...so it is with the outside as well.
ReplyDeleteSo true! I don't think I could ever live with a garden that never changed!
DeleteBeing satisfied with one's garden is IMPORTANT---and much of the time, we gardeners are NOT... Glad you figured it out---at least for now!!!!! Most people (unless they are gardeners) wouldn't CARE --and wouldn't put so much effort into a beautiful garden...Glad you do and happy that you share your ideas with us.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
I often wonder if I'll ever be completely satisfied with my garden. I think the answer is No. At least, not completely!
DeleteFirst of all, OH MY GOODNESS! I LOVE YOUR GARDEN!
ReplyDeleteSecond, you will not miss the pavonia. No one will miss the pavonia. I have nothing against it, by the way, but we gardeners know when it's time to say good-bye. I congratulate and salute you for taking it out.
Third, in your location, you can grow peonies?
Lastly, are there any more photos of your entire garden out there? It's so gorgeous; I feel I would learn a lot about design just seeing it in photos.
Wishing you all the best!
Anastasia - Thank you so much! I don't think I'm going to miss the pavonia, even though it was a hard plant to get rid of because it performed so well! And I'm not sure we can grow peonies here - it's a big experiment that I decided to give a try last year! I guess I'll know in a couple of years the answer. :) And let's see - about my garden - obviously, the walking garden is pictured above, the main rose garden is in this post: http://dreamingofroses.blogspot.com/2012/06/rose-garden-for-bloom-day.html and the pond (I'm repairing it now) is here: http://dreamingofroses.blogspot.com/2011/07/pond-by-demand.html I have a few other areas, and hopefully I'll be posting about the corner garden very soon! :)
DeleteHolley, when I read blogs like this or listen to friends who have similar conversations like you have with your OH - I smile. It's for reasons like this that I'm happy to be single!!
ReplyDeleteIt's all looking really good and I will be looking forward to seeing it as the season moves on.
haha - I'm glad you're happy single. My husband is actually very, very accommodating to me and my garden. And he's a bigger help than I let on. I couldn't have it without him!
DeleteGreat post, and I am totally with you! One of the joys of gardening is changing things around - sometimes on an impulse. Gardener's spouses may have a hard time understanding this. Why can't we just leave well enough alone? Because well enough could look so much better! And, anyway, I just want to try it!
ReplyDeleteI think he just sees wasted money! Why did I buy these plants if I didn't want them? And really, he has a point... But, as you say, we just can't leave well enough alone! It's the nature of being a gardener, I guess!
DeleteMr. P swears I never leave anything in the same place. He might have a small....very small...point. But, I'm still trying to figure out where things will work best.
ReplyDeleteYour current arrangement looks good.
I try not to move any plant more than three times! After that, I figure it's me, not them! :)
DeleteCute conversation...sounds kind of familiar
ReplyDeleteI think most of us have it in some form or fashion! :)
DeleteSo, was he convinced or just gave up :)? Darn! you all know about too many plants and flowers. I know nothing :-(. I am now learning about vegetable plants though :-). What did you do with the Pavnia plant?
ReplyDeleteOh, he gave up. He knows that once I have it in my brain, I'm going to do it! I threw away the pavonia plants. :O( I thought about transplanting some, but wasn't sure where to put them, and didn't want to start a whole new re-decorating spurt in another area of my garden! I don't think you know nothing! That's the thing about gardening - there's always something new to learn! I learn something new almost every day in my garden!
DeleteI have to say, impulse buying is risky. I always advise against it for those not really into gardening, but it is different for those in the know. I liked your conversational post. It is different and fun. My husband does not care about the garden and would much rather only see grass, so I never have any conversation with him on it.
ReplyDeleteYou are right that impulse buying is risky. I think that's why those plants sat unplanted for several weeks - I really had no where to put them! But, I guess where there's a will, there's a way! ;) My husband would love to see all our grass gone - no more mowing would be his dream come true!
DeleteNot to pick on the logic of the statement to say something is changed often or slowly implies they are mutually exclusive...meaning you can both be right....moving one plant will not "change" the garden if at all....but you are scaring me on the all pink thing...I planted one area with pretty much a pink theme...now I'm worried if I will say...it's too pink...
ReplyDeleteYou're so true about the logic! What's slow to me is often to him! :) And - the pink just didn't work for me because it just didn't fit in this bed, in that amount. BUT - an entire area with a pink theme is different, and sounds beautiful. I love pink, it just didn't work well in this particular area of my garden.
DeleteI am a compulsive plant mover also. And since I do all the digging, transporting, and planting, my husband is very happy to go along with my neurosis.
ReplyDeleteHooray for sweet husbands! Mine just thinks I do a lot of extra work that doesn't need to happen! :)
DeleteI so get that. I change my mind more often than you do girl. Mine wishes I'd leave it alone too. Oh well, happy for the moment.
ReplyDeleteI think there's a lot to be said for being happy - even for just a little while! :)
DeleteIf the change is for the better, what's to complain about? :)
ReplyDeleteI do like the colour and shape of the variegated Liriopes in that area; it makes me think I might have to get some too. And I've never heard of Pavonia, so I'm going to look that up - thanks for the inspiration.
Holley,please show us some photographs of that garden in summer, and how it all looks together, because it sounds like it will be spectacular.
I'm glad you like it! I put it in, liked it, then buyers remorse started creeping in, so thank you. And you know I'll show pictures this summer! I hope it looks the way I envision it. :)
DeleteI'm a terrible impulse shopper at the nursery too but I keep telling myself I learn so much more by trying out new plants that I wouldn't have thought of otherwise. Now you know exactly all about pavonia and next time you're thinking of something pink in a spot you'll know just what to put there.
ReplyDeleteOh, you're right! I did love pavonia, just not in that spot, and it would be perfect somewhere else, I'm sure. :)
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