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Professional Pruning

I rarely resort to hiring help in the garden but I'm learning that sometimes it is wise to do so and worth every penny. Case in point - some hideous out-of-control trees that were beyond my ability to deal with. If I were smarter, I would have tackled these issues from the beginning but I didn't know better. The first is a pear tree that was planted along the back fence line. I've worked on this for the past several years, every year with the intent of reducing the height or possibly removing it altogether. As you can see in the photo, I had cut back everything but three limbs and finally realized that it would be dangerous for me to try and bring them down. The limbs grow straight up into the air and the remaining three are about 20 feet tall.  After -- there is a hole in the sky view but the tree should fill in nicely for a good screen and I can keep it trimmed down from this point forward. Farther down along the fence line, and the view from the deck, are two massive pho

Surprise bloom

This bromeliad always takes me by surprise when it blooms. It is like a surprise lily - it just magically appears one day. I caught a glimpse of pink this morning on the patio and there it was.

I've had this plant for years. I keep it in the house during the winter and put it outside in the spring. I always water it inside the leaves. That's all I do and I'm familiar with the rules of growing one. 

I'll post another photo when the flower opens. It is quite dramatic.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. I just love surprises in the garden. This is a beauty. I have never had a bromeliad rebloom for me. Lucky you. Can't wait to see it in full flower.

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  2. Hi Phillip, That's exciting to see a surprise bloom, especially one so beautiful. I know you're enjoying the cooler temperatures.

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  3. Love it!! So fun when a plant blooms unexpectedly. I look forward to seeing it open.

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  4. I love surprise blooms. They are the sweetest. Happy Monday!

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  5. How pretty, you know I should get some for winter color in the house. Do they tolerate the dry air inside during winter?

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  6. Randy, they do. I've not had any problems with them inside.

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