soaphouse's Blog
soaphouse's posts about: privet
Jan 24, 2008 | 2:41 PM PST
Tags: creek , clean , vines , privet , arbor , green giant , weeping willow
Its been a great couple of days in the garden! Yesterday, I spent the entire afternoon after I got off of work, working on the creek. It was very satisfying as I was finally able to venture to the other side of the creek! I thought that would never happen. Especially when you look at where all this started:
In case you are wondering where the creek is in that shot...its to the left of the fence, under all the brush! Its very encouraging to look back at this to see how far I have come. Sometimes it seems like I will never finish this, but when I look at how far I have come, I know I will! Here are some current shots of the creek:
This afternoon I worked on getting the brush to the curb. The hardest part of this was that all of the brush had to travel over the creek and then over the fence then through the gate, then all the way to the curb! I was very thankful for my galoshes. Needless to say, Privet is now a very bad word in my world! I was online the other day browsing nurseries and one had gallon privet for sale for $19.95!!! I could make a fortune, just sell what I am ripping out :) Why can't something amazing be invasive...like peonies or something! But, I digress...
I did place another plant order for the "bones" of this project:
3 Green Giant Arborvities (for a fast growing evergreen screen on the other side of the creek at our property line.)- 2 Weeping Willows (one for each bank side to help with erosion)
- 1 Colorado Blue Spruce (which is actually for the area in the back where we took out the maple)
I also found a lot of volunteer wax mahonias back there that I will transplant so that they can thrive and be enjoyed. Also, one nandina that I will dig up for a container in the front yard. And, some nice woodland ferns that I uncovered and will hopefully do better now that they are not crowded by privet! Gotta love free plant suprises :)
Its just so exciting to see this all coming together!
On another note, my arbor came in the mail last night and I got it all assembled and installed:
On the left side, I planted a honeysuckle vine of some sort that was passed down from my mother. I am not sure of the variety. It is desiduous and had really neat seed pods in the fall that hang down. On the right side of this arbor, I plan to put out miniature gourd vine seeds. I think if this works...it will be really cool to see the gourds hanging down through the arbor!
YEAH!
Jan 17, 2008 | 6:13 AM PST
Tags: camellia , kanjiro , angel white , lilac , snow , winter , seeds , metal arbor , privet
- After work yesterday, I went by the local nursery...which I figured I was crazy because the news was talking about snow and sleet and ice coming later that afternoon and into evening. But, I thought I might find some good deals at the nursery and I have LOTS on my list of plants I want to add to the garden. So, all bundled up...my girl and I went plant shopping. Of course I didn't end up buying anything on sale, but I did get a BEAUTIFUL camellia sasanqua 'kanjiro'. I spent a little more and bought a 4 gallon size so that I can appreciate it more readily and not have to worry about the dogs trampling it. I placed it strategically so that it will be a great focal point for me as I do dishes :)
- I also got a Lilac 'Angel White' variety. Its fairly small and doesn't look like much now, but I selected it over their other varieties b/c the tag said it was a fast grower reaching 10 feet by 10 feet and does well in warmer wintered climates. I planted it in the back of the azalea bed for some more interest. It will be fun to see how it does!
I then finished spreading the mulch pile and got more privet from the creek clean up to the curb. I just was finishing up my chores when it started SNOWING!!!!!!!!! That very rarely happens here in Hotlanta. So fun! I ran inside to grab blankets to cover everything that had new buds on it from the warm weather last week and made sure to cover my newly planted items. Once I got that done....I got some great picts of the garden in the snow and then my little girl had so much fun playing in her first snow!
- A couple of days ago I ordered a metal arbor on line that was on sale for a great price and free shipping. I also ordered a great selection of seeds from Burpee. Can't wait for their arrival.
- The snow is already melting this morning. It is supposed to get in the 40's today. I may do a bit more creek clean up this afternoon. I am LOVING checking off so many things on my gardening to do list!
