Befores and Afters, Mostly Befores

IF YOU LIVE IN THE Pacific Northwest, you know what kind of day Sunday, February 24th was. If you don't, then let me tell you. Picture blue skies and sunshine with a hint of a breeze, temperatures hovering around 60 degrees. Yes, it was a dang near perfect day--highly irregular for late February in rainy, cold western Oregon. Not quite spring by the calendar and not feeling like winter... a teaser day.

Look at the Crokies... all gorgeous in their, royal purple unfurling petals.    

A bunch of Crockies 

Unable to focus on the laundry or the pile of dishes in the kitchen, I high-tailed it outdoors to tackle the masses of last season's growth, such as what was on this Stipa gigantea. Icky, icky. This is the "Before." If you look closely, just to the left of the grassy mound, you can see something grayish and pointy. Scroll down and see what it is. 

My Stipa gigantea "before" 

Yep. It's a wood rendition of Sharon the Heron. Actually she's a snowy egret but I'm a gardener, not a wildlife expert. Doesn't the Stipa look infinitely better? Now I need to tackle the raspberry canes behind it. Always something... 

Stipa gigantea "after" 

Below is a "Before" of a mass of English Ivy that grows in my neighbor's yard but really enjoys our fence. I'm losing patience with trying to keep this stuff from swallowing the fence and the house and the neighborhood. 

Rampant English Ivy! 

Even in their unruliest, the tired mop heads from last year's hydrangea are kind of pretty.

Last season's detritus 

Look below. This is the evidence of my work on Sunday. Lots and lots of plant stuff waiting to be hauled to the yard debris can.  

More detritus 

While I slaved, er worked in the garden, Zip lounged in the sunshine.

Zip the cat soaking up the (rare February) sun. 

On my immediate to do list, tackle the rather scary looking remains of last year's 'Polish Spirit' Clemmy. It's already starting to leaf out so I'd better hop to it. 

Last year's 'Polish Spirit' Clematis needs a serious hair cut. 

Below are the remains of the pear tree trimmings. What a chore this was especially since it was neglected last year and this is two year's worth. Note to self. Don't neglect this chore again.

Proof that things are getting done...

And finally, I wanted to show you the little Paperwhite Narcissus abloom on my kitchen table. My sister Laura bought this for my birthday last November. It wasn't until mid January that I got it and the Amaryllis bulbs planted. Although the Amaryllis are rather slow growing, it sure didn't take it long for the Paperwhites to bloom.  

Paperwhite Narcissus 

So this is what's happening in my world. How is yours looking? 

My Achy-Breaky Body

WELL GUESS WHAT folks. We here in the Pacific Northwest were blessed with a weekend of delicious sunshine and warm temperatures! Finally, I was able tackle the garden cleanup from last winter. Yes. I'm way behind but I made great strides and tonight my body is paying for it. Here are a few of my sightings. 

'Georgia Peach' Heuchera is coming out of hibernation.

The dandelions are making good headway. 

Daphne 'Summer Ice' is fragrancing the air. 

This pretty pink lilac is just starting to add to the allure. 

Lonicera tatarica 'Arnold's Promise' is aglow. 

The Crab Apples are just stunning right now. 

Weeds or wildflowers? I say weedy-wildflowers. 

I can't remember the name of this Jacob's Ladder. 

Silene (PINK)

Scabiosa 'Beaujolais Bonnets' bit the dust. And it was a MILD winter. Grrrr.

Phlox 

Sorry. It's a bit blurry... This is Spiraea something or other, almost in bloom. 

One of my tasks this weekend was to yank ivy from one of my fences.
I saw this on a drive-by recently.
My sentiments exactly!
STOP GROWING!

Hope you all are enjoying your springy gardens.

A Change of Heart

For those of you who are regular visitors, there is no doubt you're aware of my reluctance towards autumn. You've patiently read my incessant bemoaning; my carrying on ad nauseum; whining and bitching like life was really handing me a bitter pill.

The last cluster on my Carpet Rose

Which is absolutely ridiculous. No bitter pills here.

One of my Fuchsias. They're all still looking really swell. 

It's not so much fall itself I was protesting. It was saying goodbye to summer. Witnessing the long, sun-filled days and evenings come to and end and with it, the decline of my summer garden. I know I'm not alone either because many of you have written of the same reluctance. 

Another Fuchsia. I don't know the names of most of them. 

Well, I confess that, finally, here in late October, my attitude has adjusted favorably. Finally. 

Fuchsia

Yet another Fuchsia. See I told you they look good!

           














I suppose it's the allure of the blushing trees, the soft glow of the sunlight, the cooler temperatures, orange scatterings dancing across the road; russets, reds and golds illuminated by a cloudless blue.  How can you not love that? 

Geranium 'Patricia' leaning into the pathway 

 Foggy mornings, the smell of wood smoke... you get the picture.

Geranium 'Jolly Bee' making a serious attempt at defying fall. 

 Yes, autumn is very enjoyable right now.

Cyclamen growing in an obscure place

The temperatures have been very pleasant lately. I'm still behind on garden work but didn't let that deter me from snapping photos earlier today.

The plight of the garden...pretty things among the "ruins." 

Granted, there is lots of chaos but treasures can still be found.

Gaura

Echium tuberculatum is still blooming like crazy. 

Lespedeza thunbergii just finishing up

Canna 'Tropicana' still looking decent

Anemone, alive and thriving

Blushing Hydrangea blossoms

The last few raspberries

The last few blueberries

I still have a few goodies left in the garden. The berries are just finishing up. I got a nice handful of both raspberries and blueberries. Tasty! 

The tomatoes were tasty too. 

The last of the tomatoes

The last of the cherry tomatoes

My neighbors have a politically incorrect Ivy vine. Whether they are aware of Ivy's propensity to smother trees or not, I don't know. I'm thinking not since they're allowing it to climb the fence and basically take over. 

Check out the little sputniks on the left. They are the flowers of the Ivy. This photo is but one small representation of a huge mass of blooms right now. The sound of the honeybees is what alerted me to them. Not much to look at, they sure make the bees happy. So I guess Ivy does have one redeeming quality. Who'd a thunk?

A small toadstool growing in the pathway rocks

 I thought I'd leave you with one final lilliputian treasure. Cute, isn't it?

What do you think of my new header photo? This and the new one on Subplots By Grace, my other blog, are the fruit of my Saturday, sitting on my arse. I've got a new post over there too, if you've got a minute. Thanks for your kind comments!