I don't know if I mentioned this before but when I was planting this particular shrub, I dug up the damn tulips I'd planted a couple of weeks ago. I mean I sliced a few of them right in half with the shovel. I knew I should have flagged the spot where I'd planted them!
Another thing about shrubs - I've never been a big fan. When I think shrubs I think poodle shrubs like I have in the front of the house. In fact, had you seasoned gardeners who take the time to give me advice (you know who you are) not told me over and over that I need shrubs against the fence, house and garage, I never would have bought them. But, what I've noticed is that, since I've planted a few shrubs, I suddenly feel way more confident in my ability to place my plants! It's like magic! Before I'd buy these plants, read the tag about how tall they are suppose to get, then stand there agonizing over where they should go. Not only that but I was usually wrong. Almost everything I planted ended up hidden behind Zinnias. So, thank you for goading me into shrubs! I feel like next year I'll be able to handle plant placement way better than this year.
Another thing about shrubs - I've never been a big fan. When I think shrubs I think poodle shrubs like I have in the front of the house. In fact, had you seasoned gardeners who take the time to give me advice (you know who you are) not told me over and over that I need shrubs against the fence, house and garage, I never would have bought them. But, what I've noticed is that, since I've planted a few shrubs, I suddenly feel way more confident in my ability to place my plants! It's like magic! Before I'd buy these plants, read the tag about how tall they are suppose to get, then stand there agonizing over where they should go. Not only that but I was usually wrong. Almost everything I planted ended up hidden behind Zinnias. So, thank you for goading me into shrubs! I feel like next year I'll be able to handle plant placement way better than this year.
With the shrubs you are adding some structure to your garden, and within that structure you are creating little places to add other plants. Isn't it nice how it all starts to work together in the garden?
ReplyDeleteSorry about your tulip bulbs, I've done that before, but usually several years later not a few weeks after I planted them! I guess you learned the lesson of marking where you plant things you can't see yet, like bulbs (Not that I marked where I just planted a bunch of new bulbs). Do as I SAY not as I DO, right?
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
Your shrub may be confused...but it's a good kind of confusion, judging by the pretty flowers!
ReplyDeleteI wanted to mention....I read a gardening book a while back that SO made me think of you, called "Mrs. Greenthumbs Plows Ahead" by Cassandra Danz. She is a very humorous writer and encourages people to just go for it...as you certainly have done with your big garden projects. Keep up the good work!!
I know I've sliced some bulbs! Hazards of gardening. The others will be beautiful though so not to worry.
ReplyDeleteI do that all the time too, slice into bulbs. I do better with my plant placing if I let them sit in the pots for a few weeks and move them around to see where I like them. Otherwise, I get them planted and don't like it, and have to move it. Last year I moved some azaleas 4 times...you'd think I didn't have anything else to do!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah....been there, do that regularly too (slice into bulbs). Confused shrubs are great, they give us a little thrill of excitement when we think everything is finished for the year. Bwaaaa hahh haahhhh...you are under our power (learning about shrubs).
ReplyDeletecarol - yes, it is lovely when things start working together. what a relief!
ReplyDeleteconnie - i'm getting that book! thanks for the suggestion!
jodi, layanne, david - i'm sorry for your bulb loses but so glad im not the only one!
I don't know about tulips bulbs, but many bulbs can be accidentally sliced and they still end up okay. Does anyone know if tulips are like that? And yeah, I've sliced many a bulb. In fact, I just did it yesterday. I went to plant some bulbs and dug UP bulbs - the Dutch iris that didn't come up this spring! And they were GROWING! I think I may have planted them a bit too deep, but I just put them right back and hopefully next spring they WILL come up.
ReplyDeleteOh life in the gardening world is just one adventure after another, isn't it, Gina?
Oh, I forgot to say that my 'Wine and Roses' wiegelas (I have two) put out a few blooms as late as a month ago. I wondered what the heck they were thinking, but whatever!
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