Could Have Been Worse
As we end 2013, I have to say my Hampton's garden didn't perform that spectacularly this past year. Quite a few plants didn't survive the winter; others became afflicted with disease or bugs just as they leafed out. The voles and bunnies ate away at some of the healthier specimens. The Nikko Blue hydrangeas pushed out limited blooms. Only the crab-grass came back stronger than ever.
But as I edit my garden photos from last year, I noticed that it wasn't all bad. Almost every week from early spring to late fall, I was able to find at least one plant that caught my camera's eye. I guess you could say that this year's garden performance was not a symphony but more of a collection of colorful solos.
The winter is just arriving so way to early to predict what will survive and flourish next season. In preparation for next year, I've already edited out weak performers, replaced the deceased, weeded, pruned, and fertilized, hoping to tune up this garden for a great symphonic production in 2014.
Wishing everyone a new year of garden enjoyment.
'The Last Melon' daylily in August
New outdoor cushions for the patio this year
My first performing clematis vine, clematis x 'Jackmanii Superba'
The acanthus has finally established itself
A rambling rose mingles with a patch of spiderwort
The Kousa dogwood looking great after tree surgery last fall
A pink, summer-blooming azalea
Spring Snowflakes open the season