So my Wednesday job was to get all 18 of those plants into the ground before a little surgery on Thursday put me out of gardening commission for a while.
My boots and shovel got a good workout, but it was nice to have a bed to work in, where all the soil was reasonably diggable (is that a word?!).
Unfortunately, once I got everything in the ground, I discovered that the sprinkler back there had been broken digging out the giant Primrose Jasmine, so then I had to water it all by hand.
As you can see, the black elephant ears were not happy about the lack of moisture.
Dakota and Tanner were big helpers all day. Although I did tell Dakota that since she was digging giant holes in the empty bed — she really should be the one to dig the holes for my plants as restitution. She didn’t respond. Dogs.
Tanner found himself a nice shady spot below the bed from which to observe. Doesn’t he look content there? How can they be so happy watching me sweat?
Love your retaining wall! It looks great! Hope you’re feeling better and good as new soon.
robin – thanks – I’m sure I’ll be back to puttering soon enough. Sometimes a forced break is a good thing!
Diana,
Have you gotten any rain? You mentioned your thirsty Elephant Ears? Hoping you are doing okay after your surgery?
We’ll never know…it’s the the secret life of dogs…
Gail
Gail – We had a shower last Tuesday – a third of an inch, but not nearly enough to help. It’s dry way down. I’d like one good soaker. I’m up and around some – had a bum gallbladder out on Thursday and I’m more uncomfortable than anything else, so that’s good. Those dogs – they are a piece of work, aren’t they? Have you had any rain? I know you all were behind, too, weren’t you?
That’s beautiful stonework.
Hope you’re on the mend already, Diana. Your new bed looks great. Well, the black elephant ears do look a little petulant, but I’m sure they’re perked up by now. 😉
Tanner might say that “only mad dogs and englishmen go out in the noon day sun”. tee hee… Good luck with your surgery. I hope it isn’t too serious.
I am on the mend – my only question is why we don’t really need our gallbladders?! Let’s be honest, my elephant ears don’t look petulant, they look like they have the plague. And I suspect they will have to come out if they make it long enough for my recovery. I think it will be too hot and dry there, even with my hand watering the pots nearby daily. They were also divided into 3 before I planted them, so they were very sad about the whole thing! How’s the never-ending mountain of boxes coming?
Lisa – Ha! That certainly is true here in our heat! I think we gardeners must all be mad dogs then! My elephant ears certainly think I’m mad to put them out there!
Elephant ears look cool in other people’s gardens – I tried them once in IL and at the last Austin house but both times the plants were wrecked by wind.
Good luck with the new bed and with your recovery. At least you get to come home quickly now. Forty years ago the new techniques hadn’t been invented – people in my family spent weeks in the hospital and then were off work for months. They didn’t even have computers to keep them connected – bet you’re glad you have yours, Diana!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Annie – I do love elephant ears, but I’m not holding my breath about them! And we have so much wind here – I hadn’t even thought about that part of it. Annie – I am glad to be home and recover comfortably. It’s so much easier when they do it laparoscopically and there is less pain and I am almost back to normal. Just napping! And I do love having my computer to connect me to the world and friends like you.
Here in Houston, elephant ears are dangerous to plant as they’ll take over your entire bed in short order.
Isaac — Luckily we aren’t as tropical here in Austin as you are there in Houston. I’m not sure they will even survive, but I do have a slightly shadier and wetter location that I can move them to if they start to fail!
Wow, I am so far behind on my blog reading that it’s embarrassing! But before I catch up completely, I wanted to sneak in a big WOW! at how much you’ve gotten done in that back bed. It looks amazing!
And Maggie is a great choice for that spot– it gets tall enough that the flowers should be right at nose height from the pool deck, and you can trim back shoots from the back so that you get flowers at the right height to smell and cut back there too. I’m kicking myself for putting it against the fence in the back of the bed where I can’t smell it unless I brave the 3 other rose bushes and agave that’s in front of it. Ah well, it’s another example of “hindsight is 20/20, but foresight is legally blind.” ;D
P.S. I’ll bring your ditch lily to the shindig tomorrow. 🙂
Lori — Hey – good to hear from you. I know what you mean about being caught up in politics – ditto here. I will have withdrawal when it’s over! Thanks on the bed – I am gonna love Maggie and I did buy her for the scent. Colleen at Barton Springs sold me on her when I told her what I was looking for. I am so excited about my ditch lilies – should I bring something to put them in?