Beginning Gardening

I used to believe gardening to be an all or nothing adventure. My big yard was always overwelming. No more. Over the last few years, I have managed to make one or two changes to my yard each year. These changes have been successful for the most part, so they motivate me to try something new each year.

Last year I purchased five different varieties of irises and 3/5 bloomed. I checked back with the supplier and it was a fact that they all wouldn't bloom the first year. At the same time we planted a nice long row of tulips and they are coming up this year again too. But one of the best changes I made was to move my hydranga. They were originally planted in too much shade, so I dug them up and moved them. At the same time I bought 5 more to make a long hedge. All of the hydranga have new growth this season.

This year's experiment was to purchase ranunculus bulbs.I bought them a little late, so I am refrigerating them. We'll see how it all works out. I will plant them behind the tulips and remove a few pine tree sprouts after a large tree is removed from my yard.

The year before I planted several butterfly bushes. I only needed one, but it has taken off nicely and attracts lots of butterflies each summer. I notice that several of my neighbors have also planted butterfly bushes... I will add photographs a little later.

Iris Seed Pods

By now I have learned that gardening is like life -- I learn much from my mistakes. I have also learned to study one plant/flower a season. Otherwise to me, gardening becomes a chore. This year I planted iris bulbs to go with a few left by the previous homeowners. Many of the new iris flowered the first season. Curious, I got out my Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to Gardening. The book said that some will take a couple of years before they flower.

But there is also a section in the book about growing iris from the seeds. It says to stake up the seed pods shown here and pull them from the plant when they turn brown. After browning, the seeds are ready to plant. So... we shall see what happens.

Another text says to remove the seed pods, so the plant can expend its energy enhancing the root system and base plant instead of creating seeds not to be utilized. Being a science teacher, I did a little of both. I cut some seed pods and left two stalks in the garden.

I like this photograph because of the dramatic lighting and few colors. The "blue" background is the gray asphalt street. Looks pretty, doesn't it?