We are in a glorious weather week of 80° temps! I can't help but shift into purge mode with the scorchy overgrown perennial beds. I mean good riddance to this mess of an entry.
I especially can't stand how the alstromeria has run amok. I am a fan of alstromerias, however - this particular one spreads like a demon AND the bloom is a sickly pale apricot color. UGH, look at those stumpy bloated root clumps - and they snap easily. There is no way I got them all and they've spread under the roots of other plants.
Under the nicer top soil you can see the layer of clay and some construction tape of some sort.
A couple hours of digging that up, even though there is nothing there I feel much better!
Next up, putting together a Corten steel planter. I've been advised this will patina quickly. I wasn't sure which way to face it, but luckily Sophia was here with her artistic eye(s) and has given me advice. Also she thought a round or angled planter, same material would be good on the other side. Those pots on the left are not staying there.
Next step, I need to bring in pebbles for a ground layer. And maybe a trip for a few small boulders?
This front area faces North and gets mostly shade, maybe an hour of indirect sun at sunset. Can you guess what I'm putting in the planter? Hint: they are on the porch, and I hope I don't kill them.
Something pretty after all that ugliness. Dr. Feelgood prefers the back dry garden, and napping by something spiky.
I hope you are enjoying perfect weather, any makeover plans or fun purchases? This time of year can be great for deals, I'm keeping my eye out for them.
Well, you've clearly taken advantage of those cooler temperatures! We're moderately cooler here (still below 80F at 10:30ish) and I'm planning to take advantage of it to wash my filthy car. Now that I'm Covid-free at last, I'm hoping to make a trip to the local garden center later this week for plants to fill some of the empty spots left by dead plants ;) Good luck in removing the Alstromeria!
ReplyDeleteYour plans sound fantastic, my car could use a vacuum and wash. Thank you, no way I got it all. The battle will rage on!
DeleteBusy, busy! I'd love to see some "after" photos, too. We're having similar weather--low 80s and high 70s through the end of August, which is normal for us. Love this type of weather. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Beth, yes I will do another post when I'm done. I am loving the weather!
DeleteGreat job at clearing out those roots. That plant doesn’t fool around! Give it an inch…
ReplyDeleteYou're so right Marie!
DeleteIt has cooled to 80s and you say that is glorious. It all depends on where we're used to, eh?
ReplyDeleteTrue, true to me it feels cold at night and so fresh in the morning.
DeleteWho doesn't love cooler weather in August ? So very uncharacteristic. I can relate to your Alstromeria removal. I have a clump that I have been trying to get rid of for at least ten years. Fortunately it's surrounded by concrete so it can't travel much , but like you I hate the color . As I recall it was mislabeled color-wise. I think it was labeled as either white or purple. The actual color is kind of a brown/bad yellow combo. I'm going to work on it in fall.
ReplyDeleteUgh! I'm sick of it. I'm glad yours is somewhat contained.
DeleteI must admit I've been purging and moving plants myself in this much more comfortable weather. I always chuckle at myself because I move a plant and think, that is perfect. A year or two down the road, I wonder why I moved it 'there.' :-) Happy gardening, and I like your new planter.
ReplyDeleteha ha ha, I do the same! Again and again.
DeleteWell done! I remember how satisfying it feels to get so much accomplished on a nice day in the garden. And to have the companionship of such a handsome cat — it doesn't get much better than that.
ReplyDeleteI'm off to find Dr. Feelgood to tell him what the lovely Barbara Rodgers has said about him!
DeleteCorten looks shockingly shiny when new but it will weather quickly. I heard you can spray it with vinegar to speed up the process, but I've never bothered.
ReplyDeleteI recently was tempted to plant an alstroemeria in the ground. Your photos are confirmation that I did the right thing by NOT planting it.
You dodged a bullet, Gerhard! I have other clumps that aren't as aggressive - but I'm getting rid of those when I'm done with this project. *Indian summer barely survives in my garden tho, that can stay.
DeleteExcellent! This is going to look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThank you, I hope so!
DeleteLooks great want to see age on Corten planter. Amelia
ReplyDeleteIt's already rusting, and I didn't bother with the vinegar or salt water trick.
DeleteI like your yellow Let's Do This bucket. :-)
ReplyDeleteI read your discussion of Alstroemerias with interest, although they aren't hardy where I live (New York State near PA border) because I love them in bouquets. There are other discussions online about them being aggressive spreaders. It's too bad! At least we are staying in the 80's now - finally but are hoping for No More Rain.
ReplyDeleteOn the positive side, they are long lasting performers in a vase. I'd do them again (in a pot, lol) with a different color. 80's Yay!
DeleteI picked off all of our Alstroemeria seed heads a few weeks ago and threw them into the garbage. If I don't do that, they explode, shooting their seeds (and later seedlings) everywhere. I still value the plant for its early summer color though. I've got an orange one that is becoming quite the mass.
ReplyDeleteThey aren't all bad, I agree. Positive note, they last so long in a vase. This one didn't deserve the space and was ill behaved!
Delete