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
The bloom pattern on the dogwood is peculiar. I hope someone could comment an explanation. I love how you match up Euphorbia 'Martinii' and pansies in a pot. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteDogwood is so beautiful. There's one on my street, just finished blooming, but still a nice round tree. Oh, borage! I wouldn't count on it keeping to itself in a pot. The seeds will still end up all over the place. My original two plants have multiplied each year, but they're where I don't mind.
ReplyDeleteHere if the top growth (flowers and foliage) on the top of a tree is sparse, it's not enough water. But of course my climate is very different! Was your last rainy season a dry one? The Dogwood is magnificent nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoy seeing all the plants we don't see here: Daphne, Rhododendrons, Spruce, herbaceous Peony.
That combo of the Euphobia and Viola is striking, too.
Oh, wow, that pink dogwood is just incredible! You have so many beautiful blooms. I am full of envy.
ReplyDeleteYou have a good showing for what's effectively early spring there, Phillip. I love the dogwood even with its sparse top. The Picea is gorgeous too and, like HB, I was struck by the Euphorbia/Viola mix. While you're understandably annoyed with the cold, wet conditions up your way, I can't help being envious as our drought situation grows uglier by the day.
ReplyDeleteBorage ! I pulled up 3 of them today. The seedlings are easy to ID and pull though and the bees love the flowers so I make sure I always have a couple around. Love your E. martinii with the pansies--a knockout combo !
ReplyDeleteHi Phillip, your Clematis montana 'Freda' is so thick and lush looking. It's clearly very happy in that spot. And I agree with others that your euphorbia / viola combo is something special. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I especially like the Euphorbia and Pansies together.
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed day!
I am looking forward to your open garden again! I know we need all this water, but really, THIS much? The blooms and combinations are beautiful. Our pink dogwood did that same thing one year, but came back the next. This year it is full of blooms to the top. I wish I knew the answer....
ReplyDeleteI think it is amazing that your barberry doesn't pop up everywhere. Around here they are considered invasive. The clematis growing up in yours looks great with the barberry.
ReplyDeleteWe have a magnolia that does what your dogwood does in years where there is a late frost or freeze. Maybe yours was frost bitten.