More sowthistle. I know it's a weed, but I still love the colour.
And here's another one, faces to the morning sun.
It's bloody hot here, 33C (91F), and forecast for even hotter tomorrow. I took some water out to the two spruces that I transplanted this spring. Hopefully they survive.
I took the dogs for their walks early this morning, so I was finished early and it still wasn't too hot yet. I thought, I'll just move a couple of plants, because I need to do some major editing in my garden. Things have gotten out of hand. So I dug up a very sad looking delphinium that was not happy where it was and thought, I'd move it to the front garden. And I could move the bergenia in the front garden to the back, under the pear tree which is shady and which the delphinium didn't like.
All good in theory, however, the lamnium has gotten out of hand, the solomon's seals have been underwhelming, and the irises are fewer and fewer every year. So I had to dig up a bunch of stuff, to get to the delphinium and make room for the bergenia.
I went around front and started digging up the bergenia, which was an enormous plant, but I also had to pull out lamnium and yarrow to make a hole for the delphinum. I also thought I would move one of the salvia's further back into the front garden, as it gets taller and would look nice next to the delphinium.
As I was doing this, I kept snagging on low branches from the crabapple tree that grows in the front bed, so I cut some of those branches down. I also found an astilbe, barely alive, in the middle of the yarrow, so I had to find a home for that as well.
There was so much bergenia that I put it into two beds in the back yard. Two hours later, I had moved five plants and dug up a copius amount of lamnium and some of it's roots, as well as pruned the crabapple. And this is why it's hard for me to work in the garden sometimes, the work multiplies, even when I just want to do a little:)
I didn't know that plant is sow thistle! I've seen it all my life without having that piece of info, so thanks for educating me!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know it was called sow thistle either until this week:)
DeleteSatisfying, I'm sure, but are there not aches and pains. There certainly would be for me.
ReplyDeleteThe sore muscles are a problem for tomorrow:)
DeleteSounds like you done great today! I love the yellow as well. Brings a smile to my face and my camera.
ReplyDeleteI love your photos, just saw them on your website.
DeleteLove that cow thistle! I think you're very brave moving all those plants. When I do that, they die, so I just dig them up and chuck them. Saves time. We dug up a Rose of Sharon, left some roots in the ground, and now they're suckering. This will be a project for awhile.
ReplyDeleteI have a green thumb but it can be a curse when everything grows too well.
DeleteOne thing always leads to another and pretty soon my back is screaming. There is always such a sense of accomplishment though.
ReplyDeleteIt was so hot today and I thought, I'll just do a little. That didn't work obviously.
DeleteThose are indeed a Beautiful Weed. It's Hot here too AND Humid now too due to it being Monsoon Season. I'm ready for Autumn already.
ReplyDeleteI'm ready for fall too. The trees are starting to turn colour, so it's coming.
DeleteIt has been hot here in California this week. Alberta sounds just a little bit like Queensland
ReplyDeleteI don't know anything about Queensland. Does it get really cold there? -40F?
DeleteWe get hot and the cold.
You seem to know the names of all your plants which is mightily impressive Pixie. You are like a human Plant Encyclopedia!
ReplyDeleteWell I bought them, the trick is remembering the names:)
DeleteThat's a massive amount of gardening to this easily tired old reader. And you're a knowledgeable gardener, knowing all the names and with the ability to visualize your results.
ReplyDeleteI let things get out of hand, and move things impulsively, and then regret it. When I go to a botanical garden, twice this summer, it gives me the impetus to edit my garden. Of course I'll move things again next year too:)
DeleteYes. This is the part about gardening the beautiful magazines don't show you. It is hard, never-ending work.
ReplyDeleteIt's never ending which is part of what makes it so great, there's always room for improvement.
DeleteWhat a lot of work! Take care. ❤️
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteHere the gardening is managed by the man and I just follow orders, but have successfully integrated the odd rule breaking planting or moving without being found out. But at the end of the day, I can just step away and claim that I don't get it.
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh when I read your comment. I can imagine you saying, "I have no idea how that got there". I do all the gardening so I can only blame myself.
DeleteWow...it is hotter in Alberta than it is here in Virginia. It only got up to 77 degrees yesterday. It was wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of heat waves.
DeleteYep, that's how gardening works! Which is why I just leave everything where it is. LOL
ReplyDeleteYou are a wise man Steve. I saw teasels at on of the botanical gardens I went to in Vancouver and thought of you. I couldn't get over how tall they were.
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