The Best Solution for Weeds

 There is a section of ground behind our deck that has been a thorn in my side since I moved in the house. For about fourteen years I have struggled with what to do with it. I am blessed with a lovely view, a hedge of gorgeous roses, the vines above, but then behind it all is the dreadful weed bed.

  When I lived in the house alone my brother RP pulled all the weeds once and I tried broadcasting wildflowers. Not even California poppies would grow on this strip of land. After JEJ and I were married we tried weed barrier, bark, and planting ground covers like sedum that wouldn't require much water and would spread and look lovely. The barrier wasn't a barrier, the bark slid down the hill, and half the sedum  died. How do you kill sedum?
The weedeater was a temporary fix! After all the rain this spring I couldn't even see the bark that was left on the growing weed bed.

 The bed right above the very large weed patch was planted by the first owners and it is lovely and the weeds are completely in control.

FInally JEJ figured out the solution. He is moving the fence forward, painting the pickets a lovely color of blue, and hiding that whole weed patch so we never have to see it again. It can blend it with the "natural" hillside that will be out of sight out of mind! He can't get that fence up soon enough!

I didn't even have to use chemicals!

Vegetable Garden Beauty

 My green thumb came only as a result
of the mistakes I made while learning
to see things from the plant's point of view. 
  H. Fred Ale

All mistakes in our vegetable garden seem to work themselves out. JEJ creates beauty when he plants the gardens at our place. This time of year as things begin to emerge from the earth, there is nothing but loveliness. There is beauty

the chives,

the strawberries,

the grapes,

 

and the greens.

Lessons from the Garden: My Top Ten Perennial Flowers

 Other gardeners often ask me which perennial  flowers are my favorites in the garden. That is tough. It sometimes depends on the season and location of the plant. If you are just starting to garden, the perennial plants are the bones of your garden. They remain year after year and give structure to the garden. Often you have to move them or divide them, but they certainly are the bones.  Here are my top ten  perennials in no particular order:
1) Lilies: Lilies are a bulb and expensive perhaps at first, but they provide staggered color spots all through the summer. Some of them also smell very good!

 2) Roses: Now that I have found hardy roses that grow well in my climate and are easy to maintain . My favorite hardy roses are "Nearly Wild", " William Baffin" ( above in bloom right now), " Honey Perfume", any climbing " Iceberg", "Betty Prior" and "John Cabot."
3) Sedum: Whether "Autumn Joy" or any of the other varieties, they are simple to grow, can be excellent ground covers , and require little water.
4) Lavender: Again... great for bones in the garden, hardy, lovely fragrant flowers, and take less water.

 5)All spring bulbs: Whether you enjoy daffodils, crocus, tulips, iris or hyacinths they are worth having in the garden in the spring.
6) Chrysanthemums: They are the plant that reminds you fall is coming. The grow larger, bloom a long time, and add color after some other flowers begin fading.

 7)Columbine: I started with a few and now I have more than fifty. They spread easily, bloom in lovely colors, and remind you summer is right around the corner.

 8) Cranesbill: This is the perennial geranium that spreads and blooms in places that need texture and color. Some are also very fragrant.

 9) Dame's Rocket: I started some from seed years ago and they are everywhere in the spring with a lovely pinkish lavender bloom...hardy and great in cut bouquets.
10) Peony: Now that mine are finally getting with it, there is nothing more lovely than the rich pink and deep red of peonies.
In the weeks ahead I will also list my favorite blooming shrubs and vines.

After the Rain

 The gardens after a rain is something I love to capture on film, especially right when the sun comes back out.

The rain makes the honeysuckles look so fresh.

The smell of the air is a mixture of flower aromas and clean rain.

The bridal wreath spiraea blooms are hardy in rain or sunshine.

I know in hot,dry August I will be wishing again for columbines, rain, and cool air.

Rest in Peace Kit

Life will not be the same around our place again. Our Kit is gone.

 You could find Kit sleeping just about anywhere.

His adopted sister is sad.

His buddy keeps looking for his mentor.

We all have something missing in our hearts that will take a long time to heal. 

It Is All About Family

When I take time to step back and try to figure out where I got where I am today, the common thread is family. Spending time with my mom's side of the family this last week-end made that observation even clearer. Between blooming dogwood trees,

 visiting with cousins, a surprise anniversary celebration,

 a birthday celebration,

 a photo walk with my brother,

 quality time with my husband,

 gathering around the table to solve the problems of the world with family over coffee and leftover birthday cake,

 and a stop at a moving Memorial Day celebration at the cemetery reminded me... it is all about family.