The Parking Strip: 3/19/15

I got out front with my camera last week.  Then we headed to the Rock Farm for five days, so I'm officially behind in the plant post department.

I'll start with the area right outside the fence.

I haven't been happy with this area the last couple of years, so I finally went down there and ripped a bunch of stuff out.

The Plumbago on both ends was threatening to take over, so I spent several hours digging all of it out.

Runners galore.

Once I got it all out, I put two small pieces back in.

I also ripped out some other trailers that weren't doing anything, as well as a ton of Snow In Summer, that also likes to be a bit bossy.

I left the Aubretia and some Creeping Phlox, although it never does anything for me.

I stuck in a two pieces of a new Campanula with limey green leaves called 'Dickson's Gold', and two new Saxifraga.

One is 'Highlander Rose', the other is 'Touran Deep Red.'

I also put in a new Heather that stays low, but spreads wide, Calluna vulgaris 'Flamingo.'

I'll add a few more things as they jump into my cart this season.

I uncovered the existing buried rocks, and added a few more.

I've never done anything with the strip that's level to the sidewalk.

Well, that's not true, years ago I put in Bishop's Weed.  

I spent the next several years ripping it all out.

Talk about naughty.  It climbed right up into the main part of the garden with it's naughty little runners.

It still comes up on occasion.

Anyway, since then I've always just mulched it.

Alyssum comes up solid in there from reseeding, as well as the occasional Feverfew.

If anyone has any other suggestions, I'd take 'em.

Ground cover of some sort?

It's mostly just a weed and cigarette butt collector at this point.

Here are some closeups of the new babies I stuck in.

I just bought one 4" pot of each, and other than the Heather, I divided them in half to get two.

The existing Creeping Phlox, with one measly flower.

I don't know why I can't get this stuff to grow for me.

The Aubretia, on the other hand, is quite happy down there.

On the driveway side of the fence, the climbing rose, that gets every disease known to man, is comin' along.

I threaten to rip it out every year.

I took a few more tree pics.

I couldn't help myself.

I did a little bit of rearranging down in the parking strip.

Ripped out that nasty Aster that the birds planted last year.  

It's pretty, but that stuff is awful.

I planted Gladiola bulbs for the first time ever.

I've been told I have a Granny Garden on more than one occasion, so I figured I'd make it official.

I also planted a Peony from the main garden, moved a grass, and stole some of the variegated Iris for the backyard.

The Artichoke under the wooden cage is up, but if it's as pathetic as it was last year, it's comin' out.

Oh yeah, I also put in a piece of a red Lobelia that my mom gave me.

The Candytuft I planted last year is bloomin' its little heart out.

Both the Scabiosa made it through winter and are aready puttin' out buds.

A competition to see who can be the naughtiest.

Croscosmia is tryin' to fight its way through the two bullies.

Both of the Rhubarb plants are leafing out.

And last, a few pictures of the babies in the driveway planter.

Radishes and garlic, both of which were put in a few weeks ago.

I also have tomato volunteers coming up already in the pots they were in last year.

Yeehaw!

It's amazing how fast things grow this time of year.

After being gone for five days, the backyard looks completely different.

I, of course, was out there with my camera this morning.

Post to come.

The Front Yard: 3/17/15

Well that St. Patrick's Day came and went without even a tiny bit of celebration at our house.  No green food.  No green drinks.  No shamrock shaped sandwiches.  Ah well.  Our neighbor shares his birthday with the holiday, so the kids colored him a leprechaun, wrote happy birthday wishes on the back,  and took it down to him after dinner.  He recently had knee replacement surgery and has been havin' a heck of a time with recovery, so according to The Dad, it was one of the best parts of his day.  So I'm really glad we remembered.

As for yard happenings, things are still comin' along with the quickness.  Rain, sun, rain, sun, rain, makes for some pretty optimal spring growing conditions.  Here's what's happening out front this week.

I made a run to Garden Fever and Portland Nursery last week, and didn't really find anything too exciting to bring home.

Well, actually, I found lots of things, but the wallet wouldn't allow them.

So I ended my trek at Home Depot, and got my fix with some happy, cheap, primroses.

One of the moms at school shared some babies with me and this Hellebore was one of them.

As you can see from the flowers on the ground, the Mt. Fuji flowering cherry tree is blooming.

I love it.

The plant that I called Marsh Marigold for yeeeeears, was properly identified by Tamara at Chickadee Gardens as Lesser Celandine.

I didn't need the identification websites to tell me it was invasive.  The yard this time of year speaks for itself.

It's everywhere.

I really don't mind it, though.  It's awfully pretty, and it's fairly easy to pull once its done blooming.

The Hyacinth is attempting to fight its way through it.

Another plant that is on a lot of people's naughty list is the Muscari, or Grape Hyacinth.

Again, yes, it's pretty good at taking over, but I still love them.

This one came with the house, and has continued to spread the love since.

Remember my free, you-dig, Maple tree?  

He's starting to leaf out and is soooo cute.

The Lungwort is bloomin' pretty good now, too.

And last, one of my all-time favorite spring bulbs, the Snowflakes, or Leucojum if you're fancy, are blooming.

I have two clumps of it out front.  I need to move a piece to the back this year.

And that's it for today in the front yard.

I'll try to get out on the sidewalk with my camera this week.

I ripped out a bunch of stuff all along the area right outside the fence, something I've been talking about doing for years, and I've been been busy down in the parking strip, as well.

Photos to come.