Sunday, June 14, 2009

A Small Dilemma


Friday I bought this beautiful clematis at Costco. Goodness, I love the wine colored petals and the contrasting centers! But now where to plant this beauty. This must not be a hasty decision to pop it in the ground any ol' place, as does happen sometimes. No, I must find a place to show it off and where it complements the other plants around it. Hmmm. . .

This is just one of a myriad of dilemmas I face as I'm trying to improve the yard around my house. Awhile back I promised to show you some of the uglier spots in my yard. Oh yes, they are ugly.

You have been warned.

Above is the northwest corner of the property. It needs a section of fence, a gate, and a plan. Should I plant a tree to provide more shade for the back yard? Then I face the possibility of too much shade in years to come and the roots that choke out other plants. I've already taken out two pines so I could have flowers. Sometimes I miss the shade, but I love how the flower beds are shaping up! Argh!

Now we're facing the southwest corner. At one time there were four trees in this area, and where the fence is was a row of arborvitae. One tree remains as well as what is left of the dirt I dug out of my rose garden, some of the rocks that I dug out of said garden, weeds, and a pile of chippings. At least I have a plan of action for this area: clear it, level it, gravel it and park the trailer here. My boys and I will be busy this week! hehehe . . .

8 comments:

a woman who is said...

That is a pretty color. Have you thought of planting it with a climbing white rose? Or climbing light pink Renae. Hmmm that would be lovely. It can climb a rose and then peekaboo out of the rose plant with blossoms.

Just some added ideas :)

Kathy A. said...

Beautiful clematis. Everytime I plant them little buggies eat all the leaves. Just love the color though. Good luck with the yard work! Sounds like you have a plan

Rowyn said...

Wow, that is a beautiful Clematis. I don't think I have seen one that colour before. When I was a kid my mother had a beautiful pale pink Clematis which grew a long a fence, and it smelt divine.

The 'ugly' parts of your garden are just blank canvasses. :-)

Patricia Lessell said...

Love your Clematis! Our Costco here in the U.K. only sells boring plants. Never mind at least we have Costco which I admit I am addicted to. Love Patti xxx

Siobhán said...

Beautiful clematis! Good luck with the garden dilemmas. I like Rowyn's idea that they're just a blank canvas!

Maren said...

That is a very pretty flower! Ugh, I'm going to have to face doing the same with our yard. We bought a house that no one has lived in since 2001. It needs a lot of work, and the yard is atrocious. Unfortunately, it's just going to have to stay that way for now.

Dani - tkdchick said...

That Clematis is gorgeous, I love those!

Starry-eyed stitcher said...

You won't believe this but just yesterday I inadvertantly snipped through the stem of my beautiful 4 year old clematis which was just this colour and blooming magnificently on my dividing fence. It was next to a self-seeding sycamore and I was secateur crazy. It looks so sad today. I am sure you will take greater care with yours. Irene