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Tuesday, March 6, 2012

MY GARDEN


My garden is one of the joys of my life.  Unfortunately, it's one of the disappointments too! I work, strive, plan, exhaust, plant, move, dig, mulch, envision, beg, pray, coddle, curse, rip out, and in the end say..."There's always next year".  Over the years the trees have gotten bigger and shade more of the yard.  We had one year (last spring/summer) where we couldn't do any work in the garden because we BOTH had knee problems.  He had knee replacement, I had a torn meniscus which was operated on in October.  During that short time we lost almost all of our grass (the dog has some responsibility in that too).  A garden bordered by ugly red clay and spotty weeds is not a pretty sight.  

But there was a time when the garden was so pretty.  The deer stayed away which gave a pretty tulip time...


The Viburnum was spectacular...





The Bearded Iris had a wonderful year.  







The Clematis was prolific (each year after it's blooms have lessened until I only had a few last year).



I was good about keeping the garden watered which benefited the impatience which bloomed beautifully.






It was a good year in the garden.  It was 2008.  It's had moments of prettiness since then, but the perennials have steadily declined.  Some of the daylilies haven't bloomed. Several perennials have completely disappeared.   Tulips are eaten by the deer. And that grass is long gone.  I've been promised new grass this year, but it hasn't been planted yet (he's been working diligently at painting a bedroom for me).  

But friends, this year I plan to have that beautiful garden again.  I've got my money in my sock drawer.  I've been saving every penny I can find.  I didn't plant tulips, but I'll get some deer spray and see if the daylillies will bloom.  I'm going to get out there, even if it's hot.  It's Georgia...it's going to be hot.  And I need to water, water, water.  

I'm excited.  I'm stoked.  I'm ready!



22 comments:

  1. Good Luck with your garden this year! Your 2008 garden is just beautiful! I'm a new follower, I want to see your garden this year!

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  2. Your 2008 garden was lovely. I hope you will be able to bring it back to it's former beauty this year.

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  3. Calling by as another Outdoor Wednesday participant, I wish my garden could look as colourful as yours did in 2008.

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  4. Gorgeous! It's times like those that keep us going. Good luck on your goal. I hope you have a magnificent garden again this year.

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  5. You can only do what you can and such a large garden must be a lot of work. Your photos are gorgeous! That's the reason you put up with the disappointments and keep at it; to get results like that.

    Ali x

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  6. oh it is beautiful...do you have woodlands planted?
    I love shade gardens...texture and more texture and in the early spring the ephemerals....
    Your tall trees are quite the backdrop for your garden
    ...soon...summer

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  7. I'm so glad to hear your able to get back out in the garden. I know how it makes us feel to be digging in the soil... Two of you with sore knees must have been tough!
    Love your yard!
    Sandy

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  8. Yes! It will bloom again. Lots and lots of compost, and more plants that like shade. There are tons of flowers that bloom well in the shade.

    I totally loved your 2008 garden, but I think this year will be better for you. But it will be different, for sure.

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  9. WOW! That is an AMAZING garden. It looks like an arboretum. No wonder your garden hasn't held up to that standard.The bar is very high.

    - The Tablescaper

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  10. Wow Leslie you have a truly pretty garden. It is really frustrating when you want to get out there and you cant.Your pictures are beautiful and make me want to get out in my own garden.I am your newest member.Feel free to visit me at the orchard. Have a good week. I would like to visit you again.

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  11. These are such great pictures. I love the setting. The woodlands make these pictures just wonderful!

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  12. Wow, your past garden looked absolutely gorgeous. I love shady foresty looking gardens. We have deer and heavy clay soil. I'm still trying to find things the deer don't like. Keep up the momentum. We want to see your garden this year.

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  13. Your garden is truly enchanting. I am loving the purple.

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  14. Your gardens are a place of beauty!!! There's a sense of mystery in what you created. It's really beautiful. I know the struggles with wild life and knock on wood, no knee problems. I wish you a successful year and I hope the weather man cooperates!
    Have a wonderful weekend,
    Hugs Rosemary...xoxo

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  15. I thought those were magazine pics Leslie!!! So beautiful. If you are stoked girl, you will do it. Just take your time that's all. Enjoy every moment.
    We are thawing out here in Canada. Anyday now the river will break away. I hope I can capture it on tape this year.
    Have a great weekend my friend.
    Love Claudie
    xoxo

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  16. What a beautiful garden you had! But it won't be long before you have it looking just as beautiful once again!

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  17. That was a beautiful garden and I hear that it is gping to be beautiful again. Good luck.

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  18. Very pretty garden. I so wish to have that kind of garden too. I think I will start this year. ^_^

    Outdoor Wednesday

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  19. Oh My!! THAT certainly was a garden to be proud of! I've never had that pretty of a garden. I'm still working at it though.

    Watering is my biggest chore too with my poor sandy soil. I've tried to amend it all the time, but it doesn't last but one season. Perhaps this will be a great garden year for the both of us! ;^)

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  20. Your Garden is absolutely gorgeous!

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