October
After caring for the pretty new flower borders all summer long, mainly just fluffing and deadheading, we got back to the project in October and added a new shade area in a nook on the east side of the house.
Once again, we dug out the sod because I wanted to plant bulbs in November; the newspaper method would not have allowed that as the paper would not break down in just one month.
Next to the shrub that was already there, we planted Hydrangea ‘Izu No Hana’. it is a great beauty. Got it years ago from Heronswood Nursery for Klipsan Beach Cottage; this one is the offpsring of that one.
Now we just need a very special tree for the very back corner. Small, deciduous, choice, preferably at least a bit unusual. Thoughts: Robinia psuedoacacia ‘Frisia’, or a very special Japanese maple to tie in with Tom and Judy Hornbuckle’s beautiful garden across the street to the east; Descaisnea fargessii would be very fun. All probably require a trip off the Peninsula or mail order to acquire.
The whole day of October 11th we had an audience.
November
On November 28th, we started the next phase of Larry and Robert Garden 2012, and I almost forgot to take a before picture.
We were knocking ourselves out to do this project fast, because it came in the middle of bulb planting season and we needed to get back to planting thousands of bulbs in assorted gardens. We probably would not have scheduled it for this time except that we happened to have unexpectedly acquired, from Chester Land at Olde Towne Trading Post, the main ingredient: a garden boat.
This was accomplished in heavy rain and a roaring wind sweeping up Pearl Street straight from the port. The boat, a little fiberglass pram, was so lightweight that I fretted and stressed greatly to make sure it was well secured. Allan drove rebar through the bottom into the ground to make sure that even an 80 mph gale could not budge it. I hope it looks like it washed up in a storm.
On November 29th, we dug out beds around trees, which should make the trees healthier, and acquired more rocks from Peninsula Landscape Supply to soften the straight line at the west end of the “beach”, but darkness fell before we could apply said rocks.
On November 30th, we softened up the squareness of the beach and at last I felt pleased with the results.
We planted bulbs (deer resistant ones like Narcissi and Alliums) in these new beds and the beds we made earlier this summer. By now we were hearing word around town that passersby liked the boat in the garden. The old fisherman who make a daily trek on foot from an RV park at the east end of town to the grocery store at the west end of town were especially appreciative. One told us how he used to have a garden and now that he lives in a trailer, he deeply misses having ground to putter in.
Above, you can see our good friends Tom and Judy’s historic house in the background.
On December 4th, we planted a few plants, at Larry’s request, for winter colour: a heuchera or two, some primrose starts, and a really cool plant with pink berries that I got from Back Alley Gardens, but whose label I lost.
In the spring, we will move these plants to the new corner garden in semi shade in order to make room for more showy summer annuals in the boat.
On December 19th when I was upstairs in Judy’s guest room admiring her exquisitely detailed miniature Christmas village, I got to see the great view of the Larry and Robert garden from next door.
The best thing for me is that it is just half a block from home so it is going to be a pleasure to see it every single day.
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