Freak out!


It occurs to me that I haven’t been obsessing about Garden Walk nearly as much as I usually do. The summer has flown by—and I can scarcely believe the event is NEXT WEEKEND! So a little freaking out is in order.

The main thing is the former rose bed (now has perennials, a couple roses, clematis, and lots of lilies). Except that it isn’t a bed. Or a border. It’s more like a bricked-in corral. Yes. The OK Corral. Where murder and mayhem happen every single day, not just one afternoon. Currently, the towering rudbeckias (better view a couple posts down, here at extreme right) are effectively blocking view of the heliopsis and trumpet lilies, so I’ve been twisting plants around using stakes. You almost have to treat it like a big, crowded vase, where everything has to be arranged just so. But it’s not just that. I am going for a purple, yellow, and white scheme, but I have a climbing red rose that must stay. So much for that, as it is now putting on a huge growth spurt, and will not be denied its moment. Plus there is a red clematis (its red clashing hideously of course with the rose).

Then I had to decide which was uglier, the meadow rue or the sidalcea. This is really close, but I decided I had been hating the sidalcea for much longer, so that will be ripped out, to be replaced by Russian sage (furthering the doomed purple, white, yellow scheme).


This is depressing, so I’ll continue the freak outs later, ending this first one with a truly monstrous weeding imperative. They are everywhere, between the flagstones throughout and in every bed. My husband says he’ll pull all the flagstone ones, but I know his back will give out before he’s even a quarter of the way through. So that’s me too. It’s not just Garden Walk either—Susan and Michele are visiting for the weekend, and I imagine a few other bloggers (I know Apple and her sister, for example).

It will be great! But this week will be hell. Tomorrow I’ll post about all the money I’ve spent.

Comments

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said…
I have been looking forward to the Garden Walk all summer(-: I can't wait(-: Don't work to hard and hurt yourself so you can't enjoy the big event(-:
Carol Michel said…
One weed at a time, right? Good luck with all your prep, I'm sure the garden will look great, regardless.

Carol, May Dreams Gardens
Unknown said…
Oh forget all of the freaking out! Put up a little explanatory sign that says that this is your test garden bed, Elizabeth... and then you'll look like a gardening genius! :)
Anonymous said…
Good luck, Elizabeth. I wish I could have timed our recent trip through your area with the Garden Walk. I'd love to do GW someday.
I was amazed last year at how weed free most of the gardens were. Weeds don't bother me and plants that get too tall for their spot make me smile because that happens to me every year. That said, I can't imagine inviting a few thousand people to tour my garden! The forecast looks perfect and we're really looking forward to the weekend.
I just bet someone will compliment you on throwing in a bit of red to spice up the color scheme. Even though it seems like a crowded mess to you, to everyone else it will look like lush exuberance. It's all a matter of perspective.
EAL said…
Cindee, are you coming to GW? I checked your blog and I see you're in California. Or are you referring to a walk near you?
Anonymous said…
You'll be fine. I hate gardens with no weeds, they're not "real" enough. I've been putting off announcing this officially because I'm so sad, but we had to cancel our trip because with 2 kids in college this fall we can't afford anything. Maybe we'll finally be able to make it next year.
EAL said…
Oh, too bad Heather! Another time!
Your garden will be adored with or without weeds. You have more flowers than weeds anyway. That is a good thing.
Rhonda said…
Wow, what a garden! But you know there are going to be weeds....LOL....My grandmother used to make a soapy solution and douse the little buggers with it.
Lynn said…
Elizabeth,
I just happened onto this blog and I am hooked. You are in my favorites now.Your flowers are beautiful.I just started a blog this summer and I am haveing a wonderful time with it. It is just flowers. You can check it out if you want. http://lusarytole.blogspot.com/
I love the blogspot it is so easy and fun.
Have a Good One..
Lynn
JAbel said…
What are those beautiful deep blue/purple flowers in the pic next to the white ones?
JAbel said…
I just found this site tonight and have been looking through.A garden blog from Buffalo! A native of Rochester but back in the 70's my high school horticulture consisted of growing pot on the edge of farm fields.Wasn't till the 80's in L.A. that the gardening bug bit mainly because the apt bldg I live in had no landscaping at all.I was reading your books heading and I see you mention Beverly Nichols.I don't think you can beat either of his trilogy's the first "Down the Garden Path from 1932 about his first garden at a cottage he bought and the second"The Merry Hall" trilogy about a manor house and gardens he restored.I won't mention the other two titles for each set because the info is at Timber Press for each set.Glad to have found your blog!
EAL said…
Jabel, both the white and purple flowers are petunias, the supertunia variety from Proven Winners. I have found there is a difference with petunias.

I THINK I have all of the Nichols garden books. I like them though I have no idea of the plants he discusses most of the time. Many I have never heard of or he is usuing weird names.
JAbel said…
Thanks,I thought they were but the ones I have grown seem to be a deeper purple than that beautiful shade you have.About 4 years ago whatever I bought did well all over growing over the pots dropping over the top of the wall but since then average luck.I plant them as a spring flower in Los Angeles.You are so right about Nichols.I am re-reading"Down the Garden Path" and last night in bed I was writing down names of some plants as I went along so I can google them today.
Anonymous said…
It's too bad they are not coming a bit early as I can see you all on the ground, wine in one hand and cleaning the cracks with the other. No 'party panic' if you can help it!
Eve said…
You are going to have a great time. Just remember to enjoy it and don't get stressed. Sometimes, things we do for fun, stesses us so much, we forget to enjoy them while they are happening. Enjoy the moment.
Unknown said…
Just thinking about you with the Garden Walk just around the corner... hope you have a marvelous time! (You certainly have a great weekend for it, if your forecast is anything like ours.) :)
Anonymous said…
See, and here before I read the entry, I was thinking about how lush and colorful and jungle like the picture was, and lamenting that I never seemed able to reproduce that effect of perfectly ordered disorder in my own garden.

Maybe you picked a good angle ;)

-C

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