May 12, 2009

Getting My Hands Dirty

Here in my area of Indiana, Mother's Day (mine was awesome, by the way, hope yours was too!) officially heralds the beginning of planting season. I'm all atwitter with dreams of blooming flowers and fresh cut bouquets. I have a reputation for coming out of the gate strong but invariably my enthusiasm wanes when the summer sun becomes brutal. Every year I swear to myself that I will be better. This year I am right on track with making big plans and empty promises.
I have lots of empty space in my beds this year, the result of digging up all of my roses due to their irresistability to Japanese Beetles. There are few things that freak me out as much as having a beetle land in my hair. So at this point I've got good bones but no color. I'm dreaming of coneflower, delphinium and clematis. I'm researching and sketching and shopping and planning. I'm wishing I could trade my clay soil for real brown dirt and hoping y'all will share the names of your favorite plants with me so that I can consider them too.

I may be scarce this week as I hope to be up to my elbows in dirt. Happy digging friends.

P.S.
If you'd like you can swing by the BHG Challenge and see how I'm faring!
Also, to answer a couple of questions for you readers:
1) The dress in the last post is from Sundance Catalog.
2) The cubby in my laundry room is from Overstock.com.

12 comments:

  1. I know what you mean about losing enthusiasm as the summer progresses. I have tons of garden space to fill and it seems like it is easier to get more creative when you have a smaller space to work with!

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  2. I too have much more enthusiasm and energy in the freshness of early spring and summer. Scorching heat, humidity and the garden are not for me. Love the plants you suggested. One of my favourites, hydrangeas.

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  3. Black Eyed Susan's would look pretty with the Coneflowers...Honeysuckle would be pretty on your fence, but I warn you it grows fast and can get out of control easy. We had one on the side of our house in Carmel, and as I recall it did not attract the dreaded Japanese Beetle.

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  4. I love the plants that you suggested. I think that Niko Blue Hydrangea (http://www.jgilmoredesign.com/img/gallery/plant_hydrangea-blue_lg.jpg) and hot pink Mandavilla Vine (http://www.juliezickefoose.com/blog/uploaded_images/alicedupont-767115.jpg) would be amazing against the white fence back drop.

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  5. Hi! I nominated you for the One Lovely Blog award on my blog! :) Thanks!

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  6. Happy planting :) Glad you had a nice Mother's Day. I would nix the beetle flowers too lol.

    All the best,
    Allison

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  7. I wanted to drop by and say "Hi" - I'm sorta new to the blogging world...just wanted to introduce myself and let you know I really enjoy following your blog. : )

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  8. Ditto to the starting strong and finishing weak. I love white cosmos and lavender and daisies and Queen Anne's Lace.

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  9. After gloomy winters in Chicago, I am more than ready to start planting flowers in early spring. I usually start to soon and lose many.

    As soon after we arrived home from being in Florida over spring break, I went out and bought tons of pansies to add color to the dreary grays outside.

    I'm so excited because we just had a new landscaping plan drawn up, so lots of changes are happening. (It's funny what you get excited over when you're an adult.) We're having lots of perennials put in our beds.

    Happy planting!!

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  10. Hi Jen, I haven't done too much gardening this year either. We are reaching 100 degrees by Sunday, so I don't see too much happening this weekend.
    You do have great bones, whatever you pick is going to be spectacular, and I can't wait to see.

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  11. I have the exact same problem--starting out strong in the spring and completely losing my mojo when the weather gets hot. I've vowed to do better this year, too.

    Hope you're getting a lot done--looking forward to seeing some pics!

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  12. I hear you...I have gardening on the brain these days and that's all I want to do. I never thought I'd like plants...my mom used to take me to gardens and nurseries and I was bored out of my mind. I like all your plants that you picked out...esp. the clemantis..

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