well, i managed this week to put what i think (hope) are the finishing touches on our container garden. the sunflowers never had a chance--they pretty much died right away--so i replaced them with a couple of bright pink dahlias which (on day 3) seem to be thriving and well. we'll see how the others fare. it's been a warm few weeks; the hose has come in handy.
generally i'm finding this project to be a battle between where i want pots to go (based on some nebulous ideas about balancing colors and sizes) and where they need to go (based on their sun/shade requirements). i've only had to make one real compromise--moving a flowering succulent from the table next to the chair into the shade. otherwise the vision remains unfettered.
i also feel a little self conscious in the company of my two neighbors (no. 1 and no. 4), who have managed to keep their containers thriving for many seasons. i've only had a few plants--the hardiest of succulents--survive one winter.
behave, plants, behave! my reputation is on the line. (i'm pretty certain both neighbors think i'm insane for planting so many pots at once, when i've barely been able to keep any of them alive.) well, to hell with them (if they do, in fact, think i'm insane). this gardening stuff gives me a lot of delight, even if that delight proves to be temporary. three months would be good; six would be better; a year would be glee.
(p.s. the bright pink bougainvillea and trellis in the back belong to my neighbor.)
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