January 14, 2013

"To Do" list updated March 2013

We're not even one month into winter and I've already got spring fever.  I recently received my David Austin Handbook of Roses 2013.  Yesterday, I sat in my big comfy chair and perused it along with several gardening magazines from last year.  I spent the better part of the day plotting and planning what I want to do in the garden this year and writing notes in my gardening notebook.  My "to do" list has about 15 things on it right now but I'm sure I'll add some as spring gets closer.  Some items are musts and others are wishes.   The list is in no particular order of importance, but simply the order of how the ideas popped out of my head.  Since this is an online diary of my gardening journey, I write my notes so that they make sense to me.  However, since others may wander into my garden from time to time, if you have questions about something I've written, please feel free to ask me.  I'm a very friendly gardener.


  • move star jasmine to front (moved it to in front of downspout in east facing bed 3/17/13)
  • extend sprinklers to around pool
  • plant potato vine near back patio
  • add lattice/trellises to back fence w/ potato vines to screen neighbors (see previous post)
  • mulch flower beds
  • add soil to chimney flower bed
  • move roses from around pool - transplant into new locations
  • consider moving 'Janet' to front garden to the right of 'Mary Rose'
  • consider moving 'The Alnwick" to the area in front of the trellis in front yard (put Gertrude Jekyll in front of the trellis.  Need to find another space for Alnwick.  South Garage bed?)
  • consider removing Pink Bower Vine from the front trellis and putting 'Gertrude Jekyll' climber in its place.  Pink Bower Vine completely hides the decorative structure of the trellis.  (moved Pink  Bower vine to back garden near patio arbor, moved Gertrude Jekyll to front trellis-east facing garden)
  • where to place vine? (see above)
  • add bamboo shades to the back patio
  • prune front tree (Sierra's window)
  • move rose in chimney bed ('Scepter'd Isle' was temporary moved to this bed until eradication of nut sedge is apparent) to corner of south garage bed (moved SI Rose back to its original spot - north/west corner back garden since Nut Sedge appears to be gone - 3/17/13)
  • purchase and add Sea Lavender (aka limonium) next to 'Golden Celebration' for contrast

Wish list (plants I saw on blogs - investigate to see if they will work in my garden):
  • Belinda's Dream - gorgeous pink floribunda (purchased from Gazebo Gardens 3/18/13)
    Photobucket
  • Mme. Berkeley, tea rose (looks like an old rose)
  • Rosette Delizy - tea rose (gorgeous bi-color)

Rose Companions:
  • chives
  • poppies
  • hardy geranium (shades of blue)
  • cape plumbago
  • penstemons
  • campanula
  • daisies

David Austin English Roses Wish list:
  • England's Rose (4 x 3) - deep glowing pink, medium sized blooms are produced almost continuously from early summer right through to the first frosts.
    England's Rose
  • Harlow Carr (4 x 3) - pure rose pink, one of the most free-flowering, rounded shrub, performs well in hot areas.
    Harlow Carr
  • Jubilee Celebration (4 x 4) - rich pink w/ tints of gold on underside of petals, healty and reliable shrub, does well in hot areas.
    Jubilee Celebration
  • Princess Alexandra of Kent (3 1/2 x 2 1/2) - unusually large flowers of warm glowing pink, very healthy, excellent in hot areas.  (purchased from Gazebo Gardens 3/18/13)
    Princess Alexandra of Kent
  • Munstead Wood (3 x 2 1/2) - deep velvety crimson color might be nice in front of trellis next to silvery/pink 'Our Lady of Guadalupe.'  Large flowers, bushy growth.
    Munstead Wood
A special thank you to Piece of Eden, A Rose is a Rose, Organic Garden Dreams and VW Garden for providing inspiration.