Submitted by Joan Regan
The smaller garden that I have changed mostly over to containers was looking like it still needed something. So having used Sweet Woodruff in other gardens I began planting it in this one as well. Yup, that’s what it needed. With a few fancy rocks placed it has begun to take on a woodsy look and I like it. My garden is far from formal, so fancy natural it is??
I have used Sweet Woodruff in other gardens and I do like the look of it; it spreads quick, looks natural and is easy to control, and as a bonus it gets dainty white flowers come late Spring. So I will let it spread over this entire little garden. The only thing it requires is to be kept a bit damp till it takes hold.
The sickly Hosta I took out of that garden last year and potted up has exploded. I’m so glad I took a chance and put her in a huge pot. Empress Wu is now living up to her name. As well as the Empress there was a very pathetic Astilbe that I dug out and potted up. She is also huge and has been blooming constantly. No fertiliser on these two; just potted up in good soil with mulch and compost added.
While putting in the Sweet Woodruff I found a tiny, very sad looking Astilbe. So she went into a small planter with some good soil after hydrating overnight in a small tub of water. Fingers crossed for her.
I have learned after all of my trials with this garden. Give it up. Do not plant over here. But the Hellebores are looking great just in the ground?? Looking over there from a distance, I have also noticed that the closest plants in the garden across the path from this garden are not up to what they should be either… hmmm… out they will come. Getting my handy dandy transplanting knife ready. Thankfully there are only two or three to come out. Maybe I should have the soil there tested. We did find a lot of glass, tins, etc. over there when we started to clear the property. Might be interesting… have to find out where to send it. Maybe it’s not the 1,000 bags of Peat moss I put there years ago after all.
So thankful to have this sanctuary to hide in right now while our world is being turned upside down.
Keep Safe out there Gardening friends.
Happy Gardening,
Joni
jpregan@amtelecom.net 519-596-2389
“The glory of Gardening, Hands in the Dirt, Head in the Sun, Heart and Soul with Nature.”
