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? 

Did You Miss Me?

WELL, I MISSED YOU. I've been away from my garden, my garden blog and my blogging buddies for far too long. But today, I was able to get outside and cut back some of the mess from last year. In other words, I made a tiny dent. Teeny tiny. I've got a lot of work ahead of me but, if you're a gardener, you know it's not really work.

I also took my camera outside and snapped some photos. 

This is Bergenia cordifolia ‘Tubby Andrews.' I thought it reverted to green but it's got its is true colors now.

This is Hebe 'Pink Elephant.' It shows its brightest colors during the winter months. Love it! 

Fuzzy buds on my Star Magnolia, Magnola stellata 'Royal Star' 

 The Euphorbias look especially beautiful during the winter months.

Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow' 

Euphorbia 'Tasmanian Tiger' 

An unknown Euphorbia variety

 The Nandinas (Heavenly Bamboo) are also glorious during winter.

Nandina domestica ‘Wood’s Dwarf’ 

Arabis variegata 

 This is how my Tetrapanax looks right now. Pretty sad but there is a tiny leaf waiting to unfurl when spring gets here. 

Tetrapanax papyfifera ‘Steroidal Giant’ 

Moss is alive and well in my garden. It's growing here on a vintage wood ladder. 

My only indoor/outdoor kitty decided to come out to say hello to a volunteer (smashed) catnip plant. I think he wanted to make sure it was still there.   

Zip and  the catnip. 

Unfortunately while Zip snoozes indoors a gopher has been making himself at home in the garden, evidenced by several holes like this one.  

Finally, below I wanted to show you the driftwood my sweet sister got for me last fall. It is very special because it came from one of our childhood haunts in southern Oregon. Thank you, Laura! 

Special driftwood...