Too easy...
Island Bed Azalea
Too easy to visualise my new rhododendrons already lovingly planted in perfect positions, watered, blanketed with mulch. But they are still in their pots by the garage. This will not do. This morning I am off to dig holes and get muddy, and actually get them in the ground.
Rhododendron plans...
Here's the plan. 'Cornubia' is going below the glasshouse, together with the two creamy 'Lemon Ices' that I 'misplanted' in the Driveway Border. They won't mind being dug up and shifted - they've hardly been there a year. 'Consolini's Windmill' (Consolini is the name of the breeder, no idea what the windmill refers to) is going in the Island Bed - its flowers looks pinkish, so that will fit nicely with the other spring colours in there.
Winter Hellebore
Much later...
Not a problem. The rhododendrons were easily planted, exactly where I said I would. I then made a start on trimming perennials (Aconites and Macleya) from the Apple Tree Garden. Also trimmed half of the big Miscanthus Zebrinus. Then I lit the bonfire, and coaxed all the dry and semi-dry stuff on it into flames. Oops - there was quite a bit of smoke.
Wattle tree down!
Went off past the glasshouse to see if there were any smaller Wattle tree branches to add to the fire. Noticed that the garden was looking very light, and I could see next-door's sheep in their paddock. Woo hoo! The big hanging half of a Wattle tree was down - finally! It had crashed into the middle of a Camellia, not much harm done. Didn't hear it happen.
Wattle Down
That means (hee hee) that Non-Gardening Partner now has NO EXCUSE not to chainsaw it into pieces. Brilliant. He'd been trying to work out how to safely put a rope around it to pull it down with the tractor.
Little White Camellia
Nice to have a change...
Now I'm inside, clean and warm, and the log-burner is flaming away. I am very happy with my gardening day. Nice to have a change from working in the water race.
Thursday 17th July
Today I continued the Apple Tree Garden clean-up. Dragged out lots more stuff. It's a bit early, but I started pruning some of the more sheltered Hydrangeas. Then lit the bonfire, burnt the lot. Did lots of thinking while poking at the flames.
Watching a bonfire is a great way to connect with the land and with deeper things - like the meaning of life? Warm, too, on a late winter's afternoon. A nice way to finish a gardening day, and very satisfying.