Ghetto Gardens: overdue post

It has been awhile since my last post and I apologize. I won't dwell on the reasons, I will just dive in with the happenings on our little corner of the world.

First order of business, deer drama. I have decided that I have no choice but to fence in our front yard. My original idea, was to have horizontal cables about 2 feet apart running the property line, but then garden gods dropped 24 sections of privacy fence into my lap. It will be a lot of work, but I plan on taking them apart and reassembling into something like this...

Now lets see how long it takes me to make it happen.

The weather has been crazy. After a mild winter, everything got a jump start to the season. Here are a few of the spring happenings.

I should just be happy that this Azalea bloomed, however, I think she looks leggy, and I am guessing she is not getting enough direct sunshine. The fence and the house are located south and west of the Azalea. I pruned her back when the blooms faded, and I am still tempted to not wait for fall but move her now.

Bleeding Heart that does not get enough sunshine.

The first yellow water Iris bloom.

Flowering almond

A surprise tulip. I thought the deer and the squirrels had gotten all the tulip bulbs.

Columbine. All of the Columbine around the yard has been putting on quite the show.

The view from the West lawn.

This is the prettiest we have ever seen this little Crab apple.

Only half of this Crab apple bloomed last year, so we were overjoyed to see she had gotten with the program.

The deer had a late winter munch to half of this Rhododendron.

The Korean lilac was not full of blooms this year, I knew I pruned her too late last year. Remember to prune your spring blooming shrubs right after they bloom or you run the risk of sacrificing next years blooms.

The little Bougainvillea we bought last summer had a couple of blooms already. I actually took this picture from the outside, but the plant is in a window in the house.

Was overjoyed that the Banana tree made it through the winter. The original tree did not come back, but she sent up a total of 9 pups, which most are over 2 feet tall now. I also received a couple more Banana trees, that I planted in the front yard.

The West Lawn in early spring.

Clematis

Poppy

Canary Yellow Iris

Iris

Merlot Iris

Old fashion Iris

Yellow water Iris

Water Lilies

Hosta's in the West Lawn.

I would like to have Globe master giant Alliums, not to take away from our Alliums.

The Bee Balm is growing fast and furious.

I have to give a big shout out to our friend Reggie, for thinking of us when she came across this little statue. This is a working fountain and even came with a working pump, now all I have to do is put it all together. I am thinking of a pond less water feature.

Every garden is in need of a disco ball.

I planted Canna Lilies in three large pots, one of which I kept in the greenhouse, and the other two braved the elements on the front walk. This photo was taken April 5th.

This photo was taken April 30th. The greenhouse is a wreck, so I decided to crop most of it out.

This photo was also taken on April 30th.

The Woodland's are really filling out.

I have no idea what the hell this plant is, but I like it. It was growing through a crack in the pavement at my cousin's house. I am sure it is a weed but I love anything variegated, clearly.

The deer started munching the hosta in the front flower bed. These are so close to the house it is surprising they are so bold. I now have a secret weapon for the deer, that I have discovered recently. All I had to do is the following. Every time I walk through the house to the kitchen or bathroom etc, I walk by a window and take a peek outside looking for deer. As soon as I see the deer in the yard, I slide on my shoes and grab anything handy, from a bag with a couple empty aluminum cans to a half empty water bottle. Anything that makes a ruckus but not hurt the deer. I swing open the door, come flying out of the house running directly towards the deer screaming and I throw whatever the hell is in my hand. They scatter like maniacs, it is quite comical. After a few days of this behavior, I noticed the deer walking around the yard. How long it last is anyone's guess. Deer can be dangerous so I am not telling anyone they should do this, this is just my experience. I am sure the neighbors think I am crazy, and they are right.

I am still putting up the fence however. This is what has become of our Kwanzan flowering cherry tree. This is the equivalent to deer heroin. They cannot stay away from this little guy. I put the chicken wire around this so they couldn't get their faces through it. Other than the deer drama, this little tree is doing well. I have to give a shout out to my dad. Yes dad, you have been telling me to put chicken wire around this tree for a year. I hope this makes you as happy as it makes the tree.