So Much To Do

I'm taking a break from the garden to eat dinner, watch the news and post my latest garden photos. But, on second thought, I'm going to mute the news. No explanation needed, right? Tomorrow my garden buddies are coming over so I'm trying to get things looking good but despite my all-day efforts, perfection is futile. There's always more to do than there is time or energy to do it. 

I zoomed-in for this photo of Clemmy 'Ville de Lyon' blooming up high on the arbor. 

My hens and chicks are apparently happy that it's spring.

My garden buddy Carol gave me this small 'Tri-Color' Beech.
Despite missing a third color, I love the bright pink edging. Silene 'Roly's Favorite' is equally smitten. 

Last year I almost lost my Ninebark 'Coppertina' because it was planted in a
really hot, dry location. I moved it early this spring.
It looks happy now but time will tell. 

My yellow/chartreuse and maroon foliage border is looking great this year. 

Looking down on Joe, 'Little Joy' Joe Pye, that is. I love the maroon centers. 

I love the mottled new foliage on 'Rose Glow' Berberis. 

My daughter Beth's lettuce. I can't recall the name of it. 

Sambucus 'Black Negligee' and Rosa 'Knock Out' are an oversize duo
thanks to my reluctant pruning earlier this spring. Oops. 

My new tree fern has a new frond untwirling!

I always love how the Mexican Feather Grass captures the light. 

I thought I'd share a photo of my weed. Just kidding. It's not marijuana.
It's a small Helleborus foetidus I got for a buck at a sale a few weeks ago. 

Well, as much as I'd like to take a shower and go to bed, there's still daylight and more work to do in the garden. So... 

Growing Pains

I HAVE A HUGE CONFESSION to make. Parts of my garden look like the Amazon Jungle. Seriously. With the mild temperatures and abundant rainfall, the plants are in GROW mode. It's not insurmountable but it ain't good. I mean, it's good that they're healthy and all but, well, they need some assistance from the gardener at large. Problem is, you see, I'm working full time now and often by the time I get home in the evening I'm too worn out for any serious undertakings. I know eventually, like say, Saturday, I'll get to it and feel all the better for it. And, I'll have some really cool "After" photos to show off. 

Today's post features the "Before" photos. To buffer the shock, I've interspersed them with a few nicer shots. 

These are the flowers on Oxalis lasiandra I purchased at Dancing Oaks. 

I'm not sure what variety of Hens & Chicks this is but I really like the pink flowers. 

Here it is again. I don't believe I've ever had a Semp sporting such pretty flowers. 

Rosa 'Rhapsody in Blue' is actually purple but with a scent like this who cares? 

 Okay, ready? Here goes...

Here is the first photo of my chaos. See what I mean? No definition. Everything is crowded. 

Rosa 'Sophia' is trying her hardest to be pretty but that stupid Feverfew is in the way. Out it goes. 

This photo proves that I'm making progress. My Sambucus 'Black Lace' is in for a serious pruning
when it's finished blooming. 

Did you know there is a pathway here? 

The pathway is here too but it's not too easily navigable these days.
The rose on the right is 'Knock Out.' The pink flowers on the left are from Cistus purpurea. 

Geranium 'Jolly Bee' and a pink No-Namer are looking fine but Stipa gigantea to their right might need a hair cut soon. 

Here's another view of that same hidden pathway. The pink rose on the right is 'Gertrude Jekyll. '

A few days ago, I spruced up this area but was too late to get a good "After" photo.
Mowing and edging the lawn makes such a huge difference. 

This Purple-leaved Cotinus (Smoke Bush) is weak-stemmed. It won't stay vertical.
I kind of like it partnered with the contrasting Pulmonaria though so I'm leaving it. 

My Clemmy 'Ville de Lyon' looks fabuloso. 

The Pink-flowered California Poppies successfully wintered-over and are all abloom. 

I really like this little area under the arbor. 

This photo really demonstrates how chaotic things have become. Scary, isn't it? 

I remember Christopher Lloyd advising to cut the Santa Barbara Daisy plants "hard back" in spring.
Oops. This is what happens when you don't. 

Pathway? What pathway? I'm not sure if my cat is happy in the jungle or not. 

Rosa 'Knock Out' with Sambucus 'Black Lace.' (The camera is crooked. My bad.) 

Solanum crispum  'Glasnevin' looks really great now too, thanks to the mild winter. 

And I'll leave you with Rosa 'Scentimental.' 

There. 

I feel better having confessed my gardener's lament. 

Next time I'll post the "After" photos. 

I'm sure all of you are doing a much better job of keeping up with things. 

As always,