Challenges

It hasn’t been easy. But, that’s a good thing. Gardening isn’t supposed to be easy. Challenges, setbacks, not knowing, wondering what went wrong, what I did wrong, searching for answers on the internet, in my garden books.

Looking out windows, hoping for positive changes. Walking through garden beds, kneeling, feeling leaves, willing plants to good health.

I’ve been gardening for years and every day I learn more. The consistent May rains saturated the gardens. Some plants like the constant moisture, others not so much. Yellowing leaves and soggy roots proved too much for some; I cut plants back but lost phlox, Asiatic day lilies, Russian sage and poppies. I dug up Achillea Millefolium, Agastache, roses, and Weigela, removed clay soil replacing it with garden soil and compost. I dug holes and replanted.

Most of my life I gardened in Connecticut, now creating gardens in soil consisting of clay and sand is new to me. And the sun. As the sun changes direction, the light in the garden beds changes which can impact a plant’s growth. The afternoon North Carolina sun is intense. On my garden walks I take mental notes which plants will need to be moved in Fall.

Even though it’s been challenging there is no place I’d rather be than in my gardens. They ask a lot of me but give back so much.

Despite the challenges I’ve been able to take photos that show the beauty of the gardens.

Click on the first photo to scroll through a slideshow.

What are your gardening challenges?

xoxo

I love the cascading flowers of the white Crape Myrtle.

I planted thyme by the steps and around the urns.

Peeking out the front door you can see the white garden in the distance.

Lacecap hydrangea

We added the garden steps and urns on each side.

Endless summer hydrangea.

Pink roses and purple catmint are good companion plants.

Purple ‘Rozanne’ geranium intertwined with white astilbe.

Yellow ever-blooming daylilies.

Delicate purple spikes of catmint soften the garden path.