The weather has been clear for the past week. The clay soil is dry enough to work. The sun is shining. And the irrigation system will be installed on Monday. It is finally time to plant our perennial (with liberties) garden at the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden!
I loaded 60 plants in the SUV on Friday evening. By Saturday morning, my vehicle was a bona-fide greenhouse. No matter; I was anxious to get going and did not want to waste time at the nursery or loading. By 10AM, I was in the garden and laying out plants according to the design my garden partner, Deb, and I have been tweaking all winter long. Version 7 is the keeper. I’m sure it can still be improved, but at some point, you just have to commit!
Deb ordered and prepped the Dahlias; to those beauties, she added Lupine, White Lavender, Yarrow and Purple Coneflower. They join: Verbena, Dianthus, Geranium, Lavender, Day lily, Salvia, Arctotis, and Coreopsis. Room has been saved for Campanula, Black-eyed Susan, Mexican Sage, Bee Balm and Gaillardia. For the late summer/fall, we will incorporate some Creeping Zinnia and Chrysanthemum. By next spring, more bulbs and Anemone should add early color.
It seems like a lot…and it is! But the bed is huge, and at the heart of it is a palette of rich oranges and purples to tie things together, with smatterings of equally intense deep yellows, blues, and hot pinks to carry us from spring to fall. Now all we have to worry about is whatever beastie ate some of the tulip heads off. Something tells me that today’s hard work was, in part, a sacrificial salad offering for a very fat and happy rabbit.
I’m not alone in looking forward to the spring. Every spring, a generous group of supporters, businesses, trusts and foundations commit to “Double the Gold” with matching funds for contributions made to Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary. Making spring a great time for gardens – and Goldens!
Gardens For Goldens 