Saturday, July 18, 2009

What They Didn't See

I heard voices and didn't think anything of it. I hear all kinds of things from passing cars, trucks and motorcycles. Then the building contractor said, "Did you see the women up in the vegetable garden?" No I did not.

I wandered up to find four women huddled in the sunny utility meadow, some with cameras, hovering over the Gooseneck Loosestrife.

Hello?

Margie said it was ok if we looked at the garden.

Alright then, you have been given permission. I had wet mortar going and went back to work. They looked innocent enough. I didn't see any shovels.

This is what draws them in.



Dozens and dozens of red dots down in the meadow drew them further in.



Once you are down there all kinds of things become visible.



So who were they? Were they ladies from the church landscape committee? At lunch time we were told they were from Tampa and just driving by and saw Bulbarella out in her garden and asked if they could see it.

But they only saw a part of the wild cultivated garden. There is always more.

The first of the native Turk's Cap Lilies, Lilium superbum have begun to bloom in the ridge top garden.



Pink astilbe festoons the garden from one end to the other.



In the sunniest spot, a wild assortment clamours for attention.



Some of the hostas compete for showiness with the astilbe.



The purple spikes of liatris add to a familiar summer theme.



Stokesia in two colors mingles with others. This is the wild cultivated look at its prime.



Even though it is out by the road, the Miscanthus and Echinops combo is still mostly hidden by the gargantuan Chicory and not likely to be noticed. Now that I am finished dividing the grass, everything should size out more evenly next year. I am hoping the Chicory might be just a wee bit more subdued next year as well. The Iron Weed is shorter and fuller this year after last years eight foot reach.



Some of these neglected roadside weeds are a bit jolted by a good heaping of wood chip mulch. It takes them some time to adjust and re-size themselves back to normal.

8 comments:

Lola said...

Looking good Christopher. Hope the ladies didn't hurt anything. Your roadside garden sure is a looker.

Christopher C. NC said...

Lola, the camera truly does not do justice to what the eye sees when it takes in the roadside vegetable garden. All looked fine after the unexpected visit.

Siria said...

Hi Christopher! I can see why they would be lured to stop and try to get a closer look. It sure looks beautiful!

Gail said...

I love the wild cultivated look! It's my style...although, mine may be more wild then cultivated. gail

Lola said...

I was just rereading your post & would like to know what kind of grass did you plant? It looks great.

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

How neat that people driving by were lured in. I'd call it "curb appeal," but there's no curb. You clearly are doing it right, and it all looks so peaceful and inviting.

Christopher C. NC said...

Siria these ladies were the first to stop and want to walk around ... that we know of.

Gail I bet the wild here could compete with your wild just fine.

Lola that grass is Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'

MMGD, no curb just a rickety old fence and tons of wildflowers that hide the vegetable garden for the most part. The bean teepee is about all that is visible.

~~Rhonda said...

The "wild cultivated look" looks great. :) No wonder someone would stop to investigate. I'm guessing lots of others have *wanted* to stop and didn't take the time. We've had people drive through our circle drive just to look at the flowers. We're always glad to share the view. Long as they leave their shovels in their trunks. ;-D ~~Rhonda