Why I Oughta...

Back three weeks ago, I posted a photo and wondered if the Sun King Aralias that I planted last year were "back" for their second growing season .  I was concerned because I didn't baby these last year - and neglected them a little bit when it came to watering/irrigation and weeding.  I was so focused on the pizza oven that I fell-down a little bit in terms of garden maintenance.   I posted six (not five like I said in April) Golden Japanese Spikenard 'Sun Kings' in the back yard as part of a [garden edit].  I was seeing *some* growth by the stalks of last year's growth in late April, but today....I'm seeing foliage across all six plants. Here, below, is a photo from this week showing the six chartreuse-colored perennials that are putting on foliage and growing in early May: My plan this year is to pay close attention to these this season - in terms of watering and weeding.  I had them mulched in (professionally), so I'm hoping that will help ease the...

Recently, we had a crew come in and clean up the garden, edge out the beds and lay down a layer of mulch.  Was it leaf mulch?  No.  And, I'm ok with that.  It was hardwood fines and it sure looks good.  I channeled my inner Stu Finer and made the most of the installation.  Mulch and those edges play a role in what is called 'garden legibility'.  That was #10 on my 2025 to-do-list:  work on legibility in the garden .   This mulch - with its dark brown color - sure *does* make the garden more legible.   Below are a few photos showing the mulch in the beds.  Starting with the front yard - where the recently expanded front porch bed is now showing how much space there is for annuals.   The island bed in front is now larger, connected to the driveway and has a better, more organic shape to it.  This was #3 on my 2025 to-do list  (part of it, at least).  Below are a couple of photos showing the island b...

Last May, I undertook a [garden edit] in the backyard that was aimed at accomplishing a few things at once:  First, it was part of my "hosta replacement project" - where I was moving some hostas (that don't provide four-season interest) further back in the garden.  Second, I was looking to improve the stumpery with some ferns and other shade-tolerant perennials.  And, finally....I had an established cluster of All Gold Hakonechloa Macra Japanese Forest Grasses that sat in the bed under our Tree Swing tree that I wanted to move.  Why move them?  Because that's where I put the pizza oven. Here's the post showing this garden edit and transplant of the All Gold grasses .  Pre-transplant, I had eight grasses in the garden .   I did some dividing (I think), because in this post , I count nine grasses in the garden edit.   As I've mentioned previously, last growing season got away from me thanks to the pizza oven build.  Weeding and wateri...

I've posted a few times about the notion of 'repetition' in the garden and how it is a technique that helps create an eye-pleasing and easy-to-navigate visually garden.  I've taken up the idea of repetition a little bit in more recent years by focusing on a could of core, foundational plants that I can carry throughout the backyard.   I was happy with the idea of getting to know the concept of reptition in our garden.  Until....I came accross this piece on Meristem Horticulture by Jared Barnes, Ph.D where he introduced me to the idea of "Legibility in the Garden".  Here's a link to the piece and below is a screenshot of the lede. First things, first.  Dr. Barnes knows his stuff.   And, he takes pretty wonderful photos and is an engaging garden writer. He says: "I love cultivating plants and cultivating gardeners. Over the years, I’ve helped thousands of people of all ages learn to garden better. " He's been doing that with me for a while ...