July and the days are steamy….

Inniswood Garden

I made another template and in parallel I am trying to renovate the garden, as well. I started nearest the house, weeding out the lavender-rue hedge along the walk. and the bed around the pole lamp. Then I started on the approach to the back door. Out here in the country most people come to the back door. I have never gotten used to that- living all my childhood years in the city. I have a nice stone walkway to the front porch, but it only gets sometime use. I use it! You know, a renovation of your garden is a special challenge- you have to know when to just start over, dig everything up and smother the stranglehold weeds.

The front garden is probably the worst- so I’m not going to attempt it until I have the driveway and the smaller areas done. Then I’ll tackle the “tall prairie”. Yes, that bad.

The Annabelle hydrangeas are overwhelmingly floriferous. The Asian lilies and Regals, Lilium Regale, are flourishing, as well. Those are two plants that are maintenance free for me, I ripped out loads of the rugosa rose, Thérèse Bugnet, it was crowding my hinoki evergreen.

This was a bad year for trees in my area, and my garden is not untouched. I lost one sweet gum and part of the sour cherry- unfortunately I haven’t pruned anything yet. Don’t you hate those dead trees and branches in the midst of the green?

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I visited the Inniswood Garden in Columbus, twice, actually. The first time was much better- before the heat took its toll on the blooms, but I remembered the camera the second time. Oh well- that is why my photos are lacking, kids.

Later that week we went to the Columbus zoo. I cannot believe the evolution of that place! Heh;) That is one immensely entertaining day trip. The new animal areas are so well done, and the landscaping makes it a botanical park as well. Lots of water features with clean clear water, vapor sprinklers not only for the animals but for overheated humans, too…. lovely. I saw an exceptional crocosima that makes me want to buy some this fall if I can. Deep coral red which means it was likely ‘Lucifer’.