Musings

Showy oakleaf hydrangea, still partially in bud.

Posted at 8:42 PM | No Comments »

This woody shrub has been a problem for nearly a decade. I did a temporarily expedient thing several times, chopping off the branches. This left the roots to persist and flourish. More and more each time, each year.

Today, I took the mattock and set about Final Removal. I worked around the sides, made a root-removal donut. It took a while. Then, I worried about a tap root; they can be the largest. But. But, I discovered that there was no taproot, and voila, the whole thing came up. Whew. You’re looking at the bottom—see, it’s flat—no taproot. Lucky me.

Later this week: cleanup and planting!

Posted at 8:52 PM | No Comments »

I never tried a photo on my watch before; I knew it was possible, but I didn’t think it was…me. However, peony-watch is a fine look.

Posted at 9:08 PM | No Comments »

This oregano is certainly hairy, only the hairs probably have a fancy technical name, perhaps trichomes.

Posted at 8:21 PM | Comments Off on Jargon

You’re looking at all new growth. It’s a special shade of yellow-green that I sincerely disliked when it was in my crayon box. I’m far more tolerant now.

Posted at 9:44 PM | Comments Off on Hey, yew

After tomorrow’s rain, I’m going to eliminate this wee stand of pokeweed.

Posted at 9:33 PM | Comments Off on Not a forest

Basil roots burgeoning.

Posted at 9:51 PM | Comments Off on Springing

We did get rain today, but not enough to even get through the trees. Here’s rain on a pokeweed.

Posted at 9:53 PM | Comments Off on Robust, moist

Looking forward to weekend rain…too much drought, fire, smoke, pollen….

Posted at 10:22 PM | Comments Off on Hoping…

Today’s peony stage: de-petaled. Except for the tiny flanges on the seed structures.

Posted at 9:15 PM | Comments Off on No pretense