What are we Doing Working so Hard (AGAIN) in mid-90 Degree Weather?

We decided to dig out the new border early this morning as we won't have much time when go back to work tomorrow.


I was hot and miserable as I shook the soil from three big wheelbarrow loads of grass that we had to remove.

Look how dry it is. We really need rain tonight!

Poor DH is dying, too. We both took a lot of breaks in this shaded area.

After we finished and cleaned up, I decided to go back and buy two dwarf Golden Threadleaf False Cypress shrubs that I bypassed yesterday.  The more I thought about it, the more I wanted them for their compact height (3ft x 3ft max) and their great lime green color.

As we passed a thermometer reading on the way home, we realized why we felt like we were dying in the heat as we worked.  It was 96 degrees!

Thanks to all of you who gave me comments on the ninebark. After listening to all of you, I am feeling pretty confident that they are going to work out nicely.  I will have to leave a lot of space  when planting, but in a couple of years, I think they will fill up the area.  I can't plant until after the contractor gets done. I think he will be finished on Tuesday. He's just waiting for one piece he ordered and then he can finish the steps and railing.

While taking one of my many breaks this morning, I was noticing the colorful view from the white bench toward the gardens.  As soon as the sun went under a cloud, I snapped a picture to show you.

I see I dropped a piece of rope that we were using to lay out the curve of the new border.  Just ignore that. :)   This and next will be the best weeks for my garden.  After next week, it's all downhill.  How sad is that?  So much work for such a short time.

What can you Tell Me about the Ninebark Diabolo shrub?

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo'


I bought two of them today to use when I redo the porch border. I liked the rich reddish-purple leaf color and since they will be planted among mature shrubs, the fast upright growth habit is a big plus. Ninebark Diabolo grows 4 to 8ft tall with a similar spread.  I need something tall and full for this area.

 I thought I would plant the second one on the opposite of the porch, although a bit further forward than this picture shows.

Here is a close-up of the leaf color:

This shrub has a smallish white flower in late spring/early summer, but the flowers look to be insignificant. They remind me of spirea flowers. Imagine my surprise when I read that it is related to genus Spiraea! 

I bought it only for its spectacular leaf color.  After googling it, I found another characteristic that appeals to me -- it has exfoliating bark in the winter-- apparently quite a few layers as the name "ninebark" comes from this characteristic.    I noticed evidence of this at the bottom of the shrub:

Of course, the purple foliage covers this all summer, but once the leaves drop, it will add winter interest.

I have not yet planted these and can still return them if any of you can give me a good reason to.  Do you have this shrub?  Do you like it?  I am eager for any help you can give me!  I read that it is native to Missouri -- Patti, do you grow this one?

I was out early this morning pruning my yew hedge on the side of the garage.  I just use my Felco pruners and it takes about an hour to remove any new spring growth and reduce its girth. I wish I could reduce my girth in such a short time!

After it was done, I cleaned up the skinny "garage garden" behind me.  Earlier this spring I hit it with Round Up because it was full of stuff I no longer wanted.  Now I need to come up with a new planting in this area.  I wonder if zinnias would grow here?  I would love a nice strip of colorful zinnias. I wonder if the hedge blocks too much sun..................this area has a ton of Star of Bethlehem bulbs...I sprayed the flowers with Round Up, but I suspect the bulbs with flourish next spring.  I swear, NOTHING kills that flower.

DH needs to get out the rarely used Christmas gift (power washer)  from 10 years ago and clean the sidewalk!

So I have had a busy Saturday. Earlier I splashed some new-to-me Sweet Baby Ray's Steakhouse marinade on a pair of supermarket-special T-Bone steaks which DH will be grilling for dinner. I am now heading out to the deck to sip wine and relax a bit before dinner. 

I hope you are all having a great Saturday!

The New Porch Project has Begun

This big old yew was the only thing on my property when I bought it 1988. That's volunteer Feverfew growing all around in in the center of it.

Yesterday the porch contractor arrived and hooked a big chain around the yew and used his truck to pull it out.

Rest in peace big old yew.  You served me well.

He spent the rest of the morning jack hammering

The board under the door had dry rotted, so now that has to be replaced.

We left them to their job and went to a BBQ chicken dinner at the VFW.

I thought the new table was pretty interesting with all the branches of the US military surrounding the VFW logo.

By the time we got home there was nothing left but this big pile of concrete all loaded and ready to be hauled away.

Good riddance old steps! I  have hated them from day1.

I got the new path pretty much planted before we left for the 4th of July festivities.  I only bought one

flat of blue salvia (annual) that I placed at the beginning of the walkway. Everything else I dug out from other gardens. 
I just took this picture five minutes ago:  I moved the cardinal flowers to this area.

 I am very happy with how this project turned out. I hope I will be as thrilled with the new porch.