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Arbutus Gardens

As we were touring Renee Moog's garden, another visitor told me that I should go to Arbutus Garden Arts, which was just down the road. I had no idea we were close but it was a garden I was familiar with and always wanted to visit. A pleasant surprise! Norm Jacobs is the owner, and he showed us around and answered questions. The garden is also a nursery and he propagates the plants. However, he says that he is in the process of retiring. My friend Linda bought an absolutely stunning weeping snowbell tree. I managed to discipline myself and only left with a groundcover, Erigeron pulchellus 'Meadow Muffin'. The garden is stunning with winding pathways surrounded by packed borders of mostly conifers and Japanese maples. I was enamored by the most beautiful specimen of Sourwood Tree ( Oxydendrum arboreum ). I have one that seems to be stunted, but Mr. Jacobs told me that they need space for their root zone and do not like competition. This could be my problem, as mine is surrou...
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Cutting back the ornamental grasses

I took advantage of the nice weather on Saturday to cut back my ornamental grasses. The grasses add interest to the winter landscape but it is good to trim them back before the new growth begins in the spring. I just use hedgetrimmers to whack them back.









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  1. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2009 at 6:25 PM

    Wasn't it an awesome day to live in zone 7? I am always thankful for a 70 degree day in February. BTW, looks like all my rose cuttings are doing well...success!

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  2. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2009 at 6:45 PM

    Thanks for the reminder, Phillip. I need to go out and cut my grasses back now before they start sprouting with all this warm weather.

    Jan
    Always Growing

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  3. Debra HowardFebruary 9, 2009 at 9:18 PM

    What an awesome day here too. Oh man, I should have got outside & cut my grasses back too. What a great idea! It doesn't usually hit me till I see some growth & it makes such a difference if you get it cut back early.
    Debbie

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  4. LesFebruary 10, 2009 at 2:21 AM

    I always find cutting back the grasses perfect therapy for winter induced cabin fever. It is like saying "OK spring I am ready for you now.

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  5. Lisa at GreenbowFebruary 10, 2009 at 3:46 AM

    We are just a couple of weeks behind you in weather up here. This chore is on my list though. Isn't it amazing how this makes the garden seem more spring-like?

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  6. F CameronFebruary 10, 2009 at 5:39 AM

    Phillips -- I started cutting yesterday and gave out from working on 11 buddleia. I have 9 more buddleia to do, then cut back the grasses.

    Cameron

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  7. DaveFebruary 10, 2009 at 6:00 AM

    Great weather for it! I need to do the same. It's time to get ready spring is on the horizon.

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  8. SusanFebruary 10, 2009 at 7:07 AM

    I need to do that, too. The weather has been so lovely that I can't drag myself inside, plus there is plenty to do outside.

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  9. JanFebruary 10, 2009 at 8:54 AM

    Whack, Whack...and then, suddenly- it looks so bland:(
    But soon...there it is, right back again, beautiful as ever;)

    We clipped and whacked up here, too, this wkend. I chopped down my buddleia (it looks horrible now) and cut back my carpet roses. Those don't 'need' to be cut back, but the spaces I have for them all is limited. They come back nicely in the summer so I think things will be ok. My husband 'whacked' back the crepe myrtles too...they don't need it either, but there is a limit to the heighth that we can tolerate here. Have a wonderful day:)

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  10. GailFebruary 10, 2009 at 9:43 AM

    Hi Phillip! The weather has been delightful and we've all headed outside to play or clean! I was thinking a garden vacuum would help with the stray pieces of grass that blow everywhere! Your post on Daphnes encouraged me to get a small plant that HD was selling. it smells luscious! gail

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  11. Monica the Garden FaerieFebruary 15, 2009 at 8:47 AM

    I use electric hedge trimmers to prune back grasses, but it's still too early for that here. I just like power tools!

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