In the cool, cool, cool of the evening ... take a walk with me through the garden gate and see what I've been working on today.
I did some pruning on the Texas Persimmon that's just to the left of the gate, lifting the canopy a little and removing the suckers that were shooting up from the base.
The barely controlled chaos that characterizes the back bed in spring has given way to a more serene look. I'm still pulling up spent larkspur, eliminating spiderwort wherever possible, and putting down cedar mulch. I found a Texas Native Red Cedar mulch at Lowe's and I really do like the color and texture. It's more of a dark brown than a red, and unlike the cedar mulch I've bought from the LETCO soil yard down the freeway, this mulch is finely shredded. The light cedar aroma is very pleasant, too.
The vitex is putting on quite a show. We had another band of storms come through on Saturday but thankfully, we avoided the deluge of last time. There was still enough rain to cause the branches of this vitex to droop pretty seriously. I'm going to need to do some pruning once it's done blooming.
Dare I hope that you notice a difference in the messiness level of the path compared with last week's picture of this area? I actually got several plants out of their containers and into the ground today!
The Head Gardener, as seen through the garden gate, seems to think she deserves a rest after a day's work. Good help is so hard to find!
Each Monday, I take a look through the garden gate to see how things change from one week to the next. I'd love for you to join me and share the views through your garden gate!
I did some pruning on the Texas Persimmon that's just to the left of the gate, lifting the canopy a little and removing the suckers that were shooting up from the base.
The barely controlled chaos that characterizes the back bed in spring has given way to a more serene look. I'm still pulling up spent larkspur, eliminating spiderwort wherever possible, and putting down cedar mulch. I found a Texas Native Red Cedar mulch at Lowe's and I really do like the color and texture. It's more of a dark brown than a red, and unlike the cedar mulch I've bought from the LETCO soil yard down the freeway, this mulch is finely shredded. The light cedar aroma is very pleasant, too.
The vitex is putting on quite a show. We had another band of storms come through on Saturday but thankfully, we avoided the deluge of last time. There was still enough rain to cause the branches of this vitex to droop pretty seriously. I'm going to need to do some pruning once it's done blooming.
Dare I hope that you notice a difference in the messiness level of the path compared with last week's picture of this area? I actually got several plants out of their containers and into the ground today!
The Head Gardener, as seen through the garden gate, seems to think she deserves a rest after a day's work. Good help is so hard to find!
Each Monday, I take a look through the garden gate to see how things change from one week to the next. I'd love for you to join me and share the views through your garden gate!
Comments
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
I posted Through the Gate today and then ran out the door and forgot to link! I blame the painters! I did spend time trying to dig up the tradescantia, too. What a well rooted plant!
Gail
Brenda
jenny at Round Rock Morning Glories
Gail, I've got a clump of Spiderwort sitting on the driveway to photograph. It illustrates why it deserves that name!
Kay, I'm so glad to see you here! You're the first international visitor to comment! I'll do my best to return the favor.
Brenda, that is a compliment of the highest order for me. English gardens are definitely one of my inspirations!
NS, I think those are the Laura Bush petunias spilling over the path. I cut them back to the edge of the rocks a couple of days later because they were getting so leggy. I really should cut them all the way back but I hate to lose the blooms.
Leslie, the HG is a firm believer in taking breaks. Putting it into practice usually waits till the end of the day!
Pam, the path was an effort to tie the square patios in with the curves of the garden. I'm not sure what will happen to those when I have the flagstone laid on the patios. I suspect I'll end up wanting flagstone in those paths, as well!
Jenny, welcome to a fellow Texan! I've seen your comments on other blogs, too, and keep meaning to mosey over to your blog and see what's happening in your neck of the woods. I'll do that shortly!