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Now... I love Lavatera. This one is in the back yard and I can't remember its name. I call it Pretty Pink Eye (not cunjunctivitis). It's from the mallow family, which also includes Rose of Sharon, hibiscus, and hollyhocks. You know I love hollyhocks.
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Then...July 2006. Do you see a giant hollyhock? I don’t either. There is a little wimpy one barely visible in front of the purple liatris. It had been attempting to bloom for a long time in the shade of an overgrown upright juniper.
Then...
A month earlier I'd had the juniper taken out. The bare dirt shows how much area it took up. And it was taller than the house.
Now....
The hollyhock took full advantage, wouldn't you say?_resize.JPG)
Then...
Now...Look at the lavatera this year. It spread back into the feverfew because….there's sun. (The purple verbena didn't magically appear, I yanked out last year's Yellow Archangel -nasty stuff- and planted Homestead Purple this spring).
It was fun to compare pictures from last year to this year. I also solved a mystery. Every time I look out the living room window I wonder what the funny looking clump of grass is under the giant hollyhock this year. After viewing these photos I see that it's last year's purple Liatris clearly visible in the second photo. Good thing the camera remembers, I sure don't.
18 comments:
Wow, Lost Roses. I really enjoyed the transformation! If I were your neighbor, I'd help you thin out some stuff - I need more!
I think you do more work in your garden than you lead us to believe. It's beautiful. You have a terrific view from your window!
You made a great trade, LostRoses, out with one overgrown juniper and in with this lush and beautiful flower garden.
The way the colors blend in the last photo is so satisfying.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Mary, I have to admit to marathon work sessions in my garden, but they occur infrequently. That's why I call myself a lazy gardener. I just let it build up!
Annie, I probably would have left that juniper in place except the top of it got broken by a big snowstorm and there was no salvaging its looks after that! I do prefer the flower garden, and so do my once-struggling flowers.
I'm glad you were forced out of your laziness when the top got broken off the juniper. The flower bed is much better without it!
Well, it looks much better without the juniper. I used to have two when I lived in the States. Each time I cut them, they seemed to take off even more. But back then they were easy landscaping because my twins used the backyard for football and the front yard got to enjoy an occasional basketball or two in the shrubs. Gentle flowers would have never survived then.
What a transformation. it is incredible to see the change from before to now. The Juniper just had to go - the Hollyhocks needed the sunshine!!
LostRoses... you are giving me a new appreciation of Hollyhocks. Great job on the garden. Looks like your Russian Sage will bloom soon too.
Holy Smoley! Good riddance to the juniper. That hollyhock looks marvelous. It's almost as tall as your house. WOW, it's amazing what a little sunlight can do!
Carol, I actually lived with the broken top for two years until I got sick of looking at it. Things (me)move very slowly around here.
Andrea, I agree. I have junipers shrubs in the backyard and they can't be damaged by football-playing boys. Though they did hide a few balls! (there's probably still some under there).
Kate, I should have done it sooner, but I'd gotten used to the big old nasty tree!
Bev, the only thing I can't count on with hollyhocks is where they decide to grow from year to year! You're right, the Russian sage is getting ready. I've seen some real beauties around town already in full bloom.
Zoey, when I watched that hollyhock getting taller and taller this spring, that was my reaction too -- Wow! The stems are like trunks, I'll have to use the loppers to cut it down eventually.
The flower garden does look lavish and what a change from last year!! I also love to look back on last years photos and see the growth sometimes as you have witnessed too much and drastic changes are necessary! Great garden! hugs NG
What a wonderful difference between "Then" and "Now"! That's a lot of hard work and a very green thumb. The hollyhocks and purple verbena are beautiful eyecatchers.
Spectacular! Down with junipers! Up with hollyhocks! It just looks lovely. And I know what you mean about remembering. I always think I'm going to remember *this* time, but I never do. Thank goodness for garden blogs (and digital cameras!) ~A :-)
Lost Roses... I have tagged you for Seven Random Thoughts... see my blog by that name for more info!
I'd love to love hollyhocks but by the time mine come up the leaves are so gross I want to rip the whole thing out.
Naturegirl, sometimes I look at old photos and think "I don't remember that in my garden!" It's an ever-changing landscape including drastic changes.
Dawn, thanks! And they really are pretty to look at.
Angela, I've given up trying to remember what I used to know! Thank heaven for digitals!
Bev, I'll go take a look. Not sure I'm even up to "random"!
Elizabeth, fortunately the blooms hold their own here for awhile but the nasty leaves are fast taking over!
It's always great to see before and after pictures. Thanks for sharing them.
all the best to you and yours,
BOB :)
I love the then and now photos, what a transformation! Arent' you glad that juniper broke? I too love hollyhocks and flowers from the mallow family. I need to check the zone on the Lavatera, that would be a nice addition to my garden.
Bob, I like before and afters also. It amazes me how nature does her thing!
Countrygirl, I'm in zone 5 and lavatera are very hardy here. I hope you can grow them because they really are nice!
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