Big changes going on here
There’s lots of work going on in my garden. It all started with receiving the wonderful gift of some rare and special roses from Cliff’s Low Desert Garden. With the help of Cliff, I also chose a few roses for my daughter’s best friend, Sarah. I had been ill for a while, and was having trouble planting everything, especially since I was already behind with pruning and maintenance. As a wonderful surprise gift, Sarah sent me a check to have someone plant the new roses! I was humbled and grateful to her for thinking of me. This past weekend I had Javier ( the man who removed my hedge and planted roses for me before) come. Javier had noticed before that the wood holding my slope back was deteriorating, and soil was sliding into the bed below. First he came during the week to see what needed planting. On Friday afternoon, he showed up unexpectedly and dropped off a bunch of wood from another job. I was confused. With my few words of Spanish, and his broken English, he explained that he received the wood for free, and that he planned to replace the old wood. I explained that the money was for planting the roses, and that I just wasn’t in a position to have the “wall” done right now. I was very surprised when he said, “Es no problem, Senorita. Me so happy your Daddy hire me to come every week to his house, from you tell him I good worker. I do for you.” Well, this is true. I did recommend him to my parents, now that my dad is slowing down, and needs someone in the yard. My father pays him well, and has mentioned to him that when all my roses are planted, he has another job for Javier. That job will be putting in my drip irrigation.
I feel overwhelmed by blessings! First Ingrid so kindly offered me my dream rose, ‘Annie Laurie McDowell’, which I hope to pick up next week. Then Cliff reduced his rose garden, and gave away some really special roses. I lucked out, and BOTH my sons were able to go with me twice to go dig them up, two hours away, all day digging. Then Sarah sent some of her mother’s inheritance money to various charities that were dear to her mother’s heart(animals), and included me, for being her “other mother”. Then Javier did far more than just plant roses, to show his gratitude for the steady income at my parents, and the prospect of putting in my drip irrigation. ( He’s insisted that I don’t show my Dad his work here, until he finishes it up. He really wants to impress him, although I told him we WILL be hiring him for the irrigation, regardless.)
That’s my long winded story of what’s been happening around here. I’ve finally shovel pruned my first roses! Those that were poor performers could stay while I had the space, but not when I had “more important” roses to plant. Winchester Cathedral, The Pilgrim, and Claire Rose are gone. My virused Mary Rose is gone. Brilliant Pink Iceberg is supposed to be gone, but again that root must go down to China, so we’ll see. Oh yes, Queen of Sweden is gone. I had to run to Home Depot three times during the work, and before I left I wisely hid ‘Louise Clements’ inside my house. I didn’t want a repeat of the last time. (Same guy) I really need to send her to her new home.
I should have taken some “before” pictures. What I have now are “in progress” pictures. My beds had become a jumble of overgrown annuals, perennials, and weeds. I’ve got one shot that will give you an idea of what was going on, before.
Alnwick Castle a few days ago, below.
And now, shown below. Probably will cut the posts down even with the rest of the wood. I’m still deciding if I could use them like that for something.
Ran out of paint here, but I did go get more.
A shot of the shady side of the slope.
Comice de Tarn-et-Garonne settling into ‘The Pilgrim’s’ former spot. She was heavily sprayed and drenched, so she has some residue on her leaves, but I wanted to be extra careful about bug transmission.
I have buckets and buckets of plants I’m hoping to save that were in his way. I found them in his rubbish pile:(
Comments (75)
Plumeria Girl (Florida ,9b)
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoLisa Adams thanked Plumeria Girl (Florida ,9b)Lisa Adams
6 years agoYour not high jacking, Roselady. It’s great to have a nice helper, isn’t it? I’m alone most of the time, and I also feel comfortable having Javier here. He’s obviously crazy about his wife and two little boys, a real family man. I was always nervous about having someone here with me home alone.
Thanks, Jin! I’m mostly resting this week, but still getting little jobs done. I know you’ve been hard at work, too:)
Here’s “my” Javier. Lisa
Related Discussions
Changing from T8s to big honkin' cfls?
Comments (3)1. I believe the light is the ultra mega coil 85 watt actual usage CFL at 5000k. I don't know where one gets it online, as there is a store specializing in lightbulbs here in Austin. There's a specialty store for everything here in Austin. Additionally, I have had good results with the 42 w at 5100k and the 40 w at 3000k. They are less expensive too. 2. I haven't used T8's, but my lights hang no more than 8 inches from the tops of the plants. 3. The 40 and 42 watt can go in any standard 60 watt lamp/light fixture. For the 85 watt I had to get a 125 watt clamp light socket. 4. I don't know. But here's some food for thought... Tubes put out their light over the length of the bulb (2-4 ft) with the brightest light being in the middle. CFL's concentrate all the light into a much smaller area. You get more light per "quadrant", but the "quadrants" are smaller, and thus more numerous. 5. Mine are on for 16 hrs/day now and will eventually be down to 12 when the solstice rolls around. 6. I don't know, but I'd imagine if the plant is prone to it, and it's getting more light, and growths mature faster, then yes. 7. Heat. While CFL's don't create that much heat relative to other bulbs, the bulbs will be hot to the touch and plants will burn if they even brush against them. I burned the pants off a mottled leaf paph under a 40 and 42 w about 4 inches away. Consider an oscillating fan blowing on the lights 24/7 too cool them and for better air circulation. Hope this helps Bob...See MoreThey Say If You're Going to Go Out, Do if in a Big Way!!
Comments (18)No, we're going a different route, Susan, but I'm sure the foliage would be gorgeous on that highway, since it runs through the mountains. We'll be taking a more southerly route through Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina, missing the mountains, but there may be some pretty foliage there, too. I have an Ancestry.com account, and traced one line on my mother's side back fourteen generations (with proof for every generation) to Arthur Allen, who built a brick house in Surry County, VA near the James River in 1665 that's owned by Preservation Virginia. We'll be touring this house, also known as Bacon's Castle, because Bacon's army took it over during the rebellion. I made up a booklet for my family with each generation documented and interesting information also - it was fun to do, and everybody really appreciated it. We'll also be going to Jamestowne, which is close to the Allen house. I especially want to see the artifacts from the original fort at Jamestowne at their museum. My Daddy had an ancestor who was one of the original settlers there, so it's also personal - I'll be compiling another booklet about this line. When we go through South Carolina, I'll be gathering more information and pictures about this line of my Daddy's and also information and pictures of an old house that belonged to an ancestor of my husband - I'm also researching and writing a booklet about this interesting line of his. Butterflies and nature in general and genealogy and American history are my hobbies - they keep me busy and interested! Sherry Here is a link that might be useful: Bacon's Castle/Allen's Brick House...See MoreMaking big changes in the garden ...
Comments (8)Thank you all for your responses. Annie, with the acres you have what a wonderful plan to plant trees. As fun as it is, after a few years of delirious flower gardening it does seem we grow to appreciate trees more, deliciously green shady trees whose roots go deep to find water. It was recently discovered that they bring water up for other plants to use, too. Now that I don't need full sun for roses I've planted several smallerTexas native trees and more crape myrtles. Kay, I'm with you on planting more shrubs. Kathy introduced me to the beautiful Canyon Creek Abelia. Abelias are one of our more drought tolerant shrubs. This cultivar has large panicles of flowers that look good as dried flowers too. I've planted several that she generously passed along. Kathy, I'm laughing at the photo you posted to indicate your feeling about cactus ... HILARIOUS! Yes, we have this playful disagreement about the beauty of cactus and desert plants. I keep sending her email forwards with desert blooms slowly opening to music and all that, but she's not buying it. Kathy likes soft girlie flowers and I don't blame her a bit. Schoolhouse, I haven't had the shamrock in the ground long enoug to see if it tends to take over, but in my climate I almost need plants that would in normal circumstances be considered invasive or they don't grow well. So we'll see how these do. The color is a nice contrast to light greens. Luckygal, tough love is what I'll be practicing the next few years too. As long as the chilli thrips don't bother them I'll keep watering the bougainvilleas and the phlox because they offer so much color all season long They are in large containers so the water doesn't evaporate out into the bone dry ground making them fairly water friendly. And yes I too wonder how difficult an intensely landscaped house would be to sell. Anybody have experience in that area? How very wise of you to cut back on self seeders. As pretty as larkspurs are with their long season of bloom a lot of seedlings have to be pulled. Hosenemesis, if it's not the water hose that'll get to you, it's the bill. With the drought the rates keep going up. The more water we use the more it costs per gallon. Ouch! I remember my mother in law saying when I was a bride, "I run my household. I don't let the household run me." However much I love all aspects of gardening I'm loving cutting back on some of it so it doesn't run me.. Thanks for your ideas on how you're doing it. Much appreciation....See MoreGo Big...Or Go Home! ;-)
Comments (43)Love the flag for a patriotic day/weekend. Would never work on my house but I enjoy seeing it on that home. Our last house we put the flag out on patriotic holidays. We still need to add in the flag pole holder at this home. Also our house is so far back out of the way I don't say think anyone will ever see the flag here, but I am sure we will get it installed eventually....See MorePlumeria Girl (Florida ,9b)
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoLisa Adams thanked Plumeria Girl (Florida ,9b)
Cori Ann - H0uzz violated my privacy
6 years agoLisa Adams thanked Cori Ann - H0uzz violated my privacyLisa Adams
6 years ago
sultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish)
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoLisa Adams thanked sultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish)Lisa Adams
6 years agoYou will have to come visit your roses, Ingrid. I hope they will be happy here. Kristine, your hubby sounds like a keeper. We need all types in this world. It wouldn’t be good, if everyone wanted to be only a gardener:)
I have few blooms, but I cherish what I do have. Duchesse de Brabant’s blooms a large and bright in the less intense sunlight.
“The Faun” is also much more vibrant than usual.
Even Duchesse de Brabant’s buds are a brilliant hot pink. (Sorry about the wounded hand. I didn’t notice until now:)
The miniature daffodils are blooming at the stump of the sawed off Queen palm, while clematis “Florida Seboldii” begins climbing with promises of lovely blooms to come.
Probably my most treasured non-rose plant, “Paeonia cambessedesii”. It looks like only one bud again, this year.
I’ve forgotten the name of these cute little bulbs. I’ll have to look it up and edit this. Something like, “Ipheone unipholium”, but not quite.
The last of Darcey Bussell with geranium ‘Bill Wallis’. Lisa
Lisa Adams
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoLisa Adams
6 years ago
I’m SO glad you commented, my sweet “other daughter from another mother.” Sarah, it is your generosity, with your mother’s gift, that made this possible. Your mother’s giving spirit was obviously passed down to you. I can’t help but think she’d be pleased, with what’s going on around her, and her Gardenia tree. I SO appreciate her/your gift to me. As much as I appreciate this, the most wonderful gift your mother ever gave me was you.
You are the sister my daughter never had, as I only provided her with two pesky younger brothers. You’ve been part of our family since you were a child, and now your children are like my grandchildren. You’ve been on countless family vacations with us, visited me in the hospital, more times than I can count, and cared for me after surgeries and through illnesses. You dressed me and did my hair on the day we buried my husband, when I was incapable. You yourself, are your mother’s greatest gift.
I love you as my own, Sarah. I’m thrilled that I’ve been able to pass down my love of roses down to to you! We will have to work on the “other daughter of mine”:)
Every morning while I have my coffee, Dexter still visits your mom under her gardenia tree.....
Love you, Lisa
Lisa Adams
6 years agoI thought you all might like to see my girls. Here are two pictures. In each picture, one is the bride, and the other her maid/matron of honor. The best of friends since childhood, one my daughter by birth, the other my daughter by love.
Sarah the Bride, and Ingrid the Matron of Honor.
Sarah and Ingrid. Sarah and Willie’s wedding. · More InfoIngrid the Bride, and Sarah the Maid of Honor.
Ingrid and Sarah. Ingrid and Corey’s wedding. · More InfoI sure love my girls! Lisa
Lisa Adams
6 years agoThanks, all. They are both as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside, and I couldn’t love them more.
Jin, Sarah has not picked up up her roses yet. She’s waiting until she can make the trip with the proper vehicle and the weather won’t be so cold in Bakersfield that it will shock her Gardenia standard containing her mother’s ashes. ( We think Dexter will miss Deb:) I’m rather glad she’s waiting, because we had a freak Santa Ana right after digging them out, and they turned crispy. They are finally recovering, and I’m hoping they look better by the time she comes. We are having another Santa Ana event today, but this is a very cold one! 53F is really cold for us with high winds. We did get a sprinkle of rain last night, but the wind quickly dried it up.
Saturday, I went to our local Grangetto’s and saw a new display of native plants, that require little to no summer water once established. I grabbed a few. I was especially excited to find Trichostema lanatum “Woolly Blue Curls”. I had tried several years in a row to germinate the seed, unsuccessfully.
It will grow into a small bush, perfect for my slope. It will take the place of one of the Canary Island Lavenders that Javier inexplicably removed. Here’s what it looks like now.
And a close up of the “ Woolly Blue Curls” flowers.
Goodness, it’s so windy I had a hard time taking the above photo. Lisa
Lisa Adams
6 years agoLisa Adams
6 years agoLisa Adams
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoSuch a rare sight here!
Genuine Frost! It’s been a while since I’ve seen any. I’m glad my sweet peas don’t mind. Lisa
Cori Ann - H0uzz violated my privacy
6 years agoLisa Adams thanked Cori Ann - H0uzz violated my privacyLisa Adams
6 years agoLisa Adams
6 years agoLisa Adams
6 years agoLisa Adams
6 years ago
Rosylady (PNW zone 8)