I think it’s the German in me.

The weather the last few days has been brutal. Temps in the 90s and high humidity early in the season had me worried that many of the plants I installed this season would be stressed or possibly dead. I was away from the gardens for a few evenings when I have time to weed, water and prune and worried that my absence would show. Luckily, all was well. Early yesturday and this morning I ventured to the park in hopes of avoiding the heat and enjoying the park before it begins to bustle with activity.

Growth in the new sun garden astounds me. This is a new garden for me this year and already I have added about two dozen plants, mostly perennials. Luckily the garden had some well established plants- iris, three nice stands- which I fear will need dividing next spring- spider wort, daylilies and Russian sage. A few rocks that once circled the base of the statue that was recently stolen I have placed on end and sunk into the soil. I like the effect, possibly because it looks a bit like old cemetery stones.

The one negative about the garden is it is high maintenance. I do not care to see spent flowers in the garden. While there are some I will allow to remain in the fall for effect and to feed the birds, for me, it is way too early in the season to let expired blooms remain. Even plants that are self-cleaning I find myself pruning and deadheading- I think it’s the German in me- I like things in order. And while the sun garden has a wild, lush look to it, more and more each day, there is order. I cut back the bully of a plant Russian sage with zeal, the knock-out roses are pruned and guillardia constantly inspected for expired blooms. But perhaps the greatest battle comes from bind weed- I loathe that twining, chocking pest. I’ve been told the roots can regenerate into new plants, so pulling the plants is not terribly effective- with a few days new vine emerge. Pulling bind weed is a constant task.