Next Year

This unprepossessing site is–Lord willing–where I hope to plant one or more rose bushes next year. It is in the Birthday Garden, which is sandwiched between the house and the driveway. You can see a bit of the tunic flower from the last post in the bottom right corner. The little brown buttons in the back are seed disks of Cephalaria gigantea, a pale yellow flower similar to scabious. I am not sure if I should keep them there, or move them. What used to dominate this bed was a vigorous stand of hollyhock mallow (Malva alcea ‘Fastigiata’) which I pulled out, sick and tired of its prolific seeding. Of course, there are yet more seedlings there now, and I’ve pulled out plenty, too. It will probably be an occupation of mine for many years to come. If you have this plant, follow Zoey’s advice and cut them down sooner rather than later.

Here is where I want to plant Hydrangea ‘Endless Summer,’ which I’ve wanted for more than two years now. Yeah, I’ve got my work cut out for me, don’t I? I have been digging suckers of a native rose out of this area and replanting it elsewhere, but otherwise neglecting this area, since it’s not visible to visitors. I hope to dig this mess up soon, and dump a load or two of raked leaves here to rot over the winter. Then the hydrangea will have the woodsy soil it prefers when I plant it. Update: This area has since been thoroughly trampled in the course of the second-story renovations. I will stilll have to dig it, but at least now I don’t have to take a machete to it first!