Shearing the Shrubbery

Shrubbery is a funny word to say. It just sounds so British, doesn't it?

Yesterday, it clouded over and was only the 80s - icy cold compared to what we've been having! So, I took advantage of the cold weather (ha!) and decided to do some work on the side yard. It was an utter jungle out there. Everything was overgrown and crowding out the littler pretties that I have tucked in here and there, so went to town with my shearing tool and loppers.

Loppers is also another funny word!

Anyway, as I was out there working and sweating and shearing and lopping, a neighbor walked by and said "I think you're losing!" Nice. I'm out there busting my hump and then some smart-aleck has to point out that my garden was a bit, well, out-of-hand! In any case, I, for one, think it looks MUCH better now!

And, of course, what did I do? I found homes for two of the three evening primrose plants that I had originally bought for my client. I seriously have issues. I'm uncontrollable around pretty plants. I MUST have them. And take care of them and love them and keep them forever. I am a plant coveter. Is that one of the seven deadly sins?

So, here is one of them:Doesn't he look happy there? He's next to a couple of annuals and then some of the pretty tall phlox:

And, don't ask me why? But all plants are "he" to me. They are boys. I have no idea why. Maybe I'm getting delusional in my old age? Maybe it's the heat?

Speaking of the heat, the stonecrop that planted itself in a completely different flower bed than the one I put it in, is already starting to show color. This generally doesn't start until late August here.I'm so afraid that by the time September rolls around everything will be dead dead dead.

So here are the two areas of the side garden that I trimmed yesterday; this is the right side:I hacked back the junipers, a bit of the rhododendron and the yew.

Here is the left side:On this side, I had to cut back the lilacs and the holly bushes. The holly has gone bonkers this year!

Today I have to do two big garden maintenance jobs and then I have to plant all of the pretties that have been in my driveway - I have to get them out of here before I find homes for them in my OWN garden! Man. What an addict I am!

Here is one of the pretty day lilies in bloom:It's a really pretty salmon-y pink and will be really pretty with the other perennials in this garden I'm doing.

Ok. Gots to run. Happy Wednesday to you!