Our week of hydrangea pruning took place in the most glorious weather, days which were like summer…a lovely change from the last two late winter hydrangea sessions, during which we often were pelted with rain and hail. On our way to and from the job, we got glimpses of some of our other (and other’s) gardens.
Ilwaco Post Office garden
Our new garden bed at the Ilwaco Post Office, a volunteer project we began last fall, is producing some species narcissi. I am going to have to figure out how to tactfully have creative control here: Yes, having done through the very hard slog of digging out and hauling off the sod, I do want to choose exactly which plants go into this small space. Prima donna, artiste, auteur, or just a control freak: You decide.
one of our Ilwaco planters
species tulips in Ilwaco planter
Our Ilwaco planters are impressively flowery for mid February….
Long Beach welcome sign
On the way to Long Beach city hall to pick up our first check of the year, I saw a chilling sight on the sidewalk: evidence of finger blight! If I see one little flower like this discarded on the pavement, I know that it could only have come from one of our planters, and I know that already someone is picking and poking at the flowers.
indisputable evidence of finger blight
Finger blight is a term for the picking of flowers or pinching of seeds and shoots. It differs slightly from vandalism, and if this flower was pulled out just to be dropped on purpose, then the incident falls into the latter category. Many’s the time I have seen someone walking through town having felt entitled to pick herself a full bouquet of flowers from the planters…sometimes even to the point of having stripped out the last of a certain tulip or narcissi. This is just not cricket.
I was cheered by the lovely window boxes at the Great Escape Espresso Drive-through where we were able to stop for a much needed double mocha and a chai tea. The days we went straight up Sand Ridge Road to the hydrangea job, not passing any drive-through espresso stands, we had to eat chocolate covered coffee beans to keep going.
Great Escape window box
Great Escape order window
Although I’m glad to have a post-hydrangea rainy day to rest, I’m excited to get to our gardens all over the peninsula to see what is in bloom.
Tangly Cottage Gardening 
Again, it is so awesome to see flowers blooming! Keep ’em coming! The flowers, I mean. I know you work hard, but it’s certainly appreciated, even as far away as Montana!
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