Before and After in the Pellie Bed

I spent yesterday afternoon raking leaves and pruning the Pellie bed. I wish I would have taken a closer picture of the plants to show what I have but if you would like to see them click Here (the lower photographs on that post will show the flowers in this bed)

On the left side of this photo is cannas and then just ahead is about 6 pelargonium plants, about 10 feet or so.  I pruned them severely this year because the fallen leaves had pretty much covered the lower half of the plants making it difficult to get in to clean around them, and many were just too large.  They can cover that area when blooming and it makes it difficult to get past them.  I took some cutting just in case I need to replace a few.  I want to transplant some of them back closer to the wall of the house to give them more room to expand without reaching the pavers. When I put these in a few years ago they were only 4 inch pots.

 Here is the area after I raked up the leaves and pruned the plants. You can see how I cut everything down to the ground level. We are forecast for rain for the next three days.  I will fertilize and mulch after the rains.  Looking at this photo I see I also need to plant in-between the pavers with more Dichondra seed.

 

Another view looking North

Lavender in bloom at end of paver path

Blue Flax in the Herb Garden

Rosemary Bush in Bloom

Here are all the leaves I raked up. The compost bin was half full when I started and it stands just under 5 feet. Notice the overflow on the side. After the rains come it should lower enough for me to put the rest in.  Lots of good compost in the near future!

The leaves had a wonderful frolic.

They danced to the wind's loud song.

They whirled, and they floated, and scampered.

They circled and flew along.

The moon saw the little leaves dancing.

Each looked like a small brown bird.

The man in the moon smiled and listened.

And this is the song he heard.

The North Wind is calling, is calling,

And we must whirl round and round,

And then, when our dancing is ended,

We'll make a warm quilt for the ground.

-Anonymous

Sunny With a Chance of Showers

Our weatherman said on last nights news we should expect rain most of the day. We had a few good showers earlier today; the sun is peeking through the clouds now so I have titled my post a positive outlook for the day. Sunny, with a Chance of Showers.

I took some photographs on Wednesday and am just getting to posting them to my blog.  My iris are coming in now; the blues and purples are budding but so far no blooms have opened.  I will share the beauty of the peach, salmon and yellow with you for now.

Peachy Orange Iris in the background

Cistus (rockrose) has been blooming for several weeks, looks beautiful in the butterfly garden.

Of course it wouldn't be my blog if I didn't show off my Madarense Geraniums!

Lavenders on the South Wall

Nutmeg Scented Geranium came up on its own, see it hanging over the wall?

Midnight Blue Salvia in the Hummingbird Butterfly garden.

Pretty Pellies

 
 

Heartsease

There is a flower I wish to wear,

But not until first worn by you—

Heartsease—of all earth’s flowers most rare;

Bring it; and bring enough for two. 

-Walter Savage Landor