between DH and dog..grrrr....

17 years ago

I'm the type of person who usually doesn't do anything on impulse.. especially when gardening...before I do anything in the yard, I read, search, investigate, google, ask here..find out all I can about what I want to do..then I decide to do it or not..the process can take a while

I cleared the weeds out of a section of yard, tested and amended the soil, finally decided on a plan of plants and seeds..then started during this stretch of great weather to put it all together in the ground...a lot of work..

The focal point was going to be a flowering tree of some sort..I've asked a few questions here about fruit trees, but that was the last thing to be done, decide on the tree and get it..

Tuesday, DH and I spent a wonderful day strollling through the garden centers all up the Cape..from the tip to the bridge..I saw a few things..but of course, wanted to research before buying..little did I know DH was planning a surprise...he had spotted a tree he fell in love with..and yest. went and purchased it..

YIKES..I have a very small budget for the yard..this blew the budget for the next couple of years..it doesn't flower (one of my requirements) and I'd never heard of it..I hid my initial response from him....I was not happy...furious was more like it..

Next thing I notice, the gate to my newly planted seeds and seedlings was opened a bit..OH no..where is Molly? Molly, our 88lb rottweiller..oh my, the UPS truck had gone by, she needed chase it up and down the fence...fresh soil, seedling, mulch, marble chips flew and are now in spots they are not supposed to be...

I nearly cried...While cooking supper last night, my jaw was clenched, my head pounding, slamming pots and pans on the counter...I was a real witch...

Hubby comes to me, gives me a big hug and as I struggle to break free..he says..Don't know what's wrong with you..but whatever it is..you know it will be all right..

Everything stopped..I thought..."What an ungrateful little B**** I am..I looked out the window..saw the new tree in the sunset...saw it's beauty, the ruined garden patch wasn't so bad..it's early..I can redo it..

Took a deep breath..gave hubby a big hug, thanked him for the tree.. Spent 10 minutes scratching Molly's belly...had a nice eveining..slept great..

Got up this morning, looked at the destroyed garden patch and thought how grateful I am for it all!

It's a beautiful day..I'm going out to enjoy it in my garden!

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Comments (7)

barefootinct
17 years ago
What kind of tree is it?

By the way, we all have those days. Our gardens are very personal for us and whether it is a dog trampling the bed or a husband making a major garden decision without discussion, it's something that you didn't control that now is part of you, in a way,...or a reflection of you. It was okay to be hurt, flustered, put-out, whatever, about it. Even though it was a nice gesture, it changes the garden in a way you may not have chosen. I'm sure you'll come to love your new tree, but don't feel too badly about having been "ungrateful" or upset. Comes with the gardening territory.

Patty
sooey
17 years ago
OH MY! Thank you for sharing. I hope your tree is doing well. Hummm...an expensive tree that does not bloom...a Japanese Maple? What ever it is...enjoy it!

sooey
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malorn
Original Author
17 years ago
It is a JM sooey...and truly is a beauty right now as it just starting to leaf...It is called Acer palmatum Sango Kaku or Coral Tower Japanese Maple..It is beautiful if you love reds..as the structure is very red...the leaves will be yellow/green/gold...the problem is I'm not a big red person...In fact, I try to buy mostly in the blue/purple - orange/yellow..family of plants..soo..It's a real change and I'm getting used to it..below is a link to pics of it..not mine though!

Here is a link that might be useful: Sango Kaku
bogie
17 years ago
Ooh, that is some kind of red!

Unfortunately, despite all our planning, things don't turn out the way we planned sometimes. Like the time we had a friend taking out a large birch tree for us. All I asked was that he didn't hit the new rock wall and fruit behind it with the one being dropped. That stil gave him about 120 degree arc in which to drop the tree. Well, the butt kicked out and guess where the tree dropped? However, at least I got to pick out the replacements!

I hope the tree grows on you and you can adjust your landscape plan to take advantage of the trees attributes while diminishing its negatives (percieved or otherwise).
triciae
17 years ago
I think the tree is beautiful! Also, red & purple look smashing together...

DH once gave me a Snow Fountain Cherry for Mother's Day that I'd not chosen. I had a little bronze plaque made & set it in the soil under the tree to memoralize his gift. I planted scilla 'Spring Beauty' & daff 'Tete-a-tete' underneath the tree with a top layer of vinca 'Illumination'. In five years, it was the prettiest spot in our garden come the end of April. And, that tree made it "our" garden rather than just mine. Now, for the past fifteen years we've shared a common passion in our garden. It's fun to have DH as my gardening buddy.

So, please keep an open mind about your gift. It sounds like you've already got a great attitude. Don't forget to tell hubby frequently how much you love the tree! It's hard for men to choose gifts for us...they put their fear of rejection on the line for us. You did good with that hug!

As for Molly...what can I say except I'm glad she got a belly rub too! lol

Tricia
runktrun
17 years ago
Malorn,
I don't think your alone out there, considering what this woman lived through I think you got off easy. kt

Here is a link that might be useful: Gardening with your spouse
sooey
17 years ago
Oh My...It's a Beauty! It will be a wonderful back drop for all sorts of lovely plants and be a welcome splash of color during our long, cold, damp, Cape Cod winters/springs. I'm sure you will come to LOVE it.

sooey

between DH and dog..grrrr....

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