Saturday, March 28, 2009

On Bushes and Trees.


Well, the weeds in the pot with the jasmine are growing really well, but it is with some degree of optimism that I convince myself that the jasmine is growing as well, though I do think that I see some new growth. It is getting watered very well anyway and not because I go out there with the watering can, but because it is raining again and the soil is soaked all the way through and draining very nicely through the hole in the bottom of the pot. I will be disappointed if it doesn't grow, because it was with some effort that I dug it out of the flowerbed out back, but I can easily walk to the nursery around the corner and buy a new plant and put it in instead if all else fails. It's just a matter of pride that it should grow and sprout very many green buds.

I am waiting to see new growth on my three alder berry trees. Nothing is happening there yet, they are as bare as three totem poles, but I know that before long they will sprout new branches and new leaves and have a big growth spurt, because they do this ever year. The first year I thought they had died, but now I know better.

And then there is that mysterious bush that grew up in the jasmine in the flowerbed. It is almost as tall as I am and I have no idea what it is, but for now I'm leaving it there and maybe this summer I'll figure out what it is by the shape of it's leaves. Maybe it isn't a bush but a tree, because it sure grew quickly.

I really appreciate these gifts of nature and am loath to take them out of the flowerbed. I assume the are meant to be there and that they are a present to me. I did have flowers in the flowerbed once, but I took them out when I realized that I didn't enjoy gardening anymore and that I didn't like the fussiness of taking care of plants. I did in another life, but now I like bushes and trees, so I am happy with what is growing out back.

The Golden Rain will be beautiful again this spring, as it always is. Before you know it, it is covered in yellow blossoms that are as magnificent as anything I've ever seen. There are two bushes of unknown origin growing beside it in that very narrow space. One has prickly thorns and is best avoided, but the other one is bright green and lush, though I've had to cut it back because it interfered with the washing on the clothes line.

I obviously need a book on all the native plants and trees that grow in Limburg. I am so ignorant of trees and bushes that grow here. I can only identify two or three trees and there's not a palm tree among them. That would have been easy. At least in California you had those and the shrubby oaks. And the endless rows of eucalyptus trees. Here you see many poplars planted along the highways as windbreakers and for you to have an accident with your car with. The elm trees really do get Dutch elm disease and have to be felled, which is a darn shame when there are many planted along a road.

It has stopped raining, but I'm waiting for my package and have to stay inside until noon and I hope it is not for naught. I'll check on the website in a little while and see to the state of affairs and make some phone calls.

I've been unable to walk the Überhund and so far he's being patient and has been out back once, but I don't know if that suffices. I think he really needs to be walked, but we can't go anywhere now. This is the first time that I am having a confusing situation with this mail order company. In the past everything has always gone spotless. It's very frustrating to have it run differently now.

Right, this was my treatise on bushes and trees. You will have guessed as much. I just felt like talking about that. I really care about my alder berry trees and, although they are growing in completely the wrong spot, I can't cut them down, so they will stay there forever.

Have a brilliant day, whatever the weather and don't let the rain get you down.

Ciao...

16 comments:

Dave King said...

Very heart-warming. It will see me through the rain, right enough.

Babaloo said...

I'm having a gardening day today, too! Well, at least I'm thinking about gardening and getting a little greenhouse to grow some veg in. I did plant my new rhubarb and rosemary plants outside, though, so I have actually done something today.

I've had a few jasmine plants in my time but they always died on me after flowering once. No luck I'm afraid. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for yours!

aims said...

While you contemplate your spring it is snowing here.

A friend dropped off a bowl of daffodils and narcissus so that I would have a bit of spring inside here.

I think rain is better than snow at this point in time. There is no break from it in sight here. Ah well. I'm not going anywhere anyway.

Irene said...

Hi Dave, how nice of you to drop in for a visit. I'll come by your place next.

Babaloo, the jasmine plant in the back flowerbed has become invasive and needs to be cut back severely, that's how well it took. I love rhubarb and wonder how well your plants will do. Please keep me informed on those. Do they need a lot of sunlight? I can taste me a dish of rhubarb now.

Aims, you poor thing! You are still in the snow? Blame you pioneer ancestors for settling there, those foolish people. You have winter six months a year. Real winter! No wonder you need dishes of bulb plants to cheer you up. I hope the barn is well insulated and that you are keeping warm, but I know how much you need some warm sunshine and greenery. XOX

Wisewebwoman said...

I feel spring in the old bones too, Irene, amazingly rejuvenating though my garden is far away presently in my beloved Newfoundland, lying fallow and waiting.
XO
WWW

Gail said...

When nature does the planting, it is a joy. We can pick and choose our favorites.

Irene said...

We certainly can, though I tend to give them all equal opportunities. I think they are meant to be there and I don't want to interfere.

Anonymous said...

You obviously love your plants. I do love mine too but they seem to misunderstand me!

CJ xx

Irene said...

Mary, you don't have old bones and I refuse to have you say it and listen to it.

I bet you can't wait to get back to Newfoundland and your garden. I'm excited for you, because I know that's where your heart lies. It won't be long now.

XOX

Irene said...

Crystal, I love the bushes and trees that end up doing well in my flowerbeds in spite of me. I don't care for them one bit, except that I cut them back when they become unruly. I really don't have a green thumb anymore and am not that interested either, but I do care very much for my volunteer trees and bushes. XOX

Maggie May said...

Do you know/ I came on this blog and thought, "oh I've pressed the wrong tab and got a gardener's blog!" Then I saw you face in the side bar so I was very surprised to see your post on shrubs and trees!
It is freezing here! Not literally but really cold. No way that anyone could garden in the rain. X

Irene said...

Maggie, what a surprise, huh? A post on shrubbery and trees. I don't know what came over me, but I just had to get it out of my system.

The weather is horrid and cold. The wind makes it feel colder. It will be April in three days. Can you believe it? Tonight is daylight savings time. We loose a whole hour.

XOX

John M. Mora said...

I remember the strong scent in California of jasmine flowers.

Intoxicating. Here it is lillacs for a short period of time. We go to a botanical garden in May which has a lillac grove.

My best. Great header.

Irene said...

John, only when I translated lilac into Dutch did I realize what you were talking about and I immediately could appreciate it, because who hasn't smelled that heady perfume and absolutely fallen in love with it? I love those trees and always hope to run across them and linger when I do when they are blooming. That's what makes taking the dog for long walks in the springtime so much fun. You never know what you may run across. I don't even need to close my eyes to recall the smell. Thanks for reminding me.

Brig said...

It was a great day for playing in the garden here. Warm, with a slight breeze. My Jasmine always reminds me of the home ranch in summer, fond memories. The Gardenia is my other favorite. Mine are struggling this year, why they have decided to sulk I know not.

Irene said...

Brighid, I had to look up the Gardenia on Google images to see what kind of a plant that was, because I had no idea. What it showed me was beautiful. I hope yours stop struggling and come to full bloom. I bet they have a heavenly scent. XOX