This Week in the Garden: October 21, 2024

The weather has been wonderful, including the day we got some much needed heavy rain.  Since then, we have enjoyed mild and mostly sunny weather.  Every spare second has been outside and in the garden or working on the storage shed.  

There's a patch of lawn in the front yard that I have marked out (unintentionally looking like a giant's footprint from above) and allowed to grow as long as it wants.  I had originally intended to remove the sod and build up a bed with some trees, shrubs, flowers.  However, I like the shaggy island that it is there in the middle of mown lawn and I know it's good for wildlife.  I plan to turn it into a small island of 'wildflower meadow' in the middle of the neatly kept lawn.  I think I'll plant lupine and daffodils, perhaps some species tulips and daisies.  We'll see what else makes its way into the mix.

I planted two Hyperion dogwoods this week, each one in a bed flanking a path that is set on the diagonal leading into the center garden from the southeast corner.  I would like them to grow over the path where I can prune away a little tunnel of sorts.  They don't look like much now, but their spring show of large white bracts and fall foliage color show is something I look forward to.  

In addition to the dogwoods, I planted a mix of six roses in the center cottage garden.  Most were standard rose colors but two should be more unique.  One was 'Hot Cocoa' described as a smokey, chocolate-orange and the other was 'Outta The Blue' that's supposed to be bluish-purple.  It will likely end up a pinkish-purple, but we'll see.  I've always loved roses and the older I get the more I love them.  

Weedy Pete