Saturday, March 26, 2011

Signs of Hope

We have had weeks of relentless rain and wind. I haven't been in the garden in what seems a long time. I came out yesterday when the rain stopped for awhile to assess the damage done by the storms and tree removal people. There was quite a bit to be upset about: two roses, Zéphirine Drouhin and Félicité Parmentier almost completely destroyed, a big heavy log dropped on my William Shakespeare 2000, and a truck driven into my other William... And I was so looking forward to a glorious spring flush.

On the other hand, my three Dutch irises are blooming. I bought them all three stuffed into a smallish pot at our local Home Depot for all of $3 last year. They had roots coming out of every hole in the pot and were wilting because they hadn't been watered. Despite the abuse and the lack of care from a gardener (me) who doesn't grow any bulbs, they all came back and bloomed this year. I am surprised at their resilience.


My two spirea bushes, bedraggled by heavy rain and wind, still hang on to their blooms. I am grateful for their tough beauty, even though their canes, bent almost to the ground, ended up on the neighboring roses and broke quite a few buds.


Finally, the leaves are emerging on my beautiful coral bark Japanese maple (Sangu Kaku). This maple has pretty fall foliage and striking red branches in winter, but I like it best in early spring with fresh and soft unspoiled green growth against the red canes.


Well, this isn't much perhaps, but considering all my garden has been through recently, that's more than enough to keep me happy for now.

44 comments:

  1. Nature taketh away, and Nature giveth.

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  2. I can fully understand how you are feeling about the damage to your plants. However, they are all resilient and in a week or two all will be well. And you will be able to buy more roses!

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  3. Thank you, Thibaud, I should remind myself of this more often:)

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  4. Thank you, Gwen, I see that one plant collector understands perfectly another plant collector:). Yes, I have been looking at it as a buying opportunity.

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  5. Ach wenn es bei mir doch auch schon so weit wäre und die Rosen blühten. Leider fangen sie gerade erst an zu treiben und ich muß noch Geduld haben.
    Der Garten ist sehr trocken und ich hätte gern etwas von deinem Regen ab. #
    Liebe Grüße
    Anette

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  6. I bet your roses will come back. They have a good established root and should be able to recover. I love spirea, they can take some abuse and bounce back, too!

    That maple is lovely. I'll have to find out if they grow around here!

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  7. Thank you for your encouragement, Shannon. I am sure the roses will come back, but it is a pity to miss this spring. Japanese maples are lovely and very elegant, they would look beautiful in any garden, I think.

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  8. Your Iris looks beautiful! I'm about to plant the first Irises in my garden. Very exciting for me - if they turn out half as beautiful as yours I will be thrilled.

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  9. What a shame I have to do with you, destroyed four roses, and ofcourse they come back..
    I would not like it.
    But does it really rained and blew so much?
    Your irisjes are very beautiful, this early I have not (anymore) but still remember to plant them again,

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  10. Even now, your garden is wonderful !

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  11. Sorry for all the damage done to your garden! I know how you feel - every spring is a chance we get only once a year. But your spirea is gorgeous, so is the Japanese maple. I want a Japanese maple so bad, but i've already killed several. Still, I'm thinking of trying again!

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  12. Gorgeous flowers.....thanks for sharing. I'm sure your roses will bloom again.

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  13. Masha, I am glad to read that despite what you have been through lately with your garden you still have the ability to look at the positive sides. That is what gets us through the tough times. Still, I am soo... sorry to hear that your William Shakespeare 2000 roses are damaged, too, and not by the fallen tree, but by the removal crew, that is really annoying. Hope everything will recover soon or you find replacements quickly.
    Christina

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  14. I hope your roses aren't killed! I know your disappointment, though. Your iris is gorgeous, though, and I adore the spirea. I have a tiny twig of a pink double one growing relentlessly from my mom's yard. I don't even think we bothered to root it! I want more. :)

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  15. Masha, I am so sorry they destroyed your roses. Cannot imagine what you are feeling now. Take heart, your roses are hardy and very well tended and will bounce back! Enjoy reading your blog!

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  16. I'm sorry about the damage, hopefully they'll come back nicely for you. I am enjoying all the spring and blooms you have--not much of either here yet!

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  17. We are in just the opposite case, with no rain in the 3 weeks, but finally today got a crazy thunderstorm so I don't have to water tomorrow.
    Sorry the weather has got you down. I'm terribly morose if there is more than a 24 hour period of rain. De-press-ing.

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  18. Good luck, Christine! I hope they grow and bloom really well for you. I am looking forward to pictures.

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  19. Thank you, Marian. You are right, the roses will come back, but I don't like to wait:(.

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  20. Thank you, Dani, for cheering me up!

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  21. HolleyGarden, I am glad you understand exactly how I feel. Yes, we only get spring once a year. Well, next year will come soon enough.... Good luck with Japanese maples, they burn here pretty badly, and don't like alkalinity, but they are worth the extra care.

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  22. Thank you, Erica. I haven't given up on the roses, and am looking forward to whatever blooms they will give me. I am glad you liked my pictures.

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  23. Thank you, Christina. Last week I was so upset (that truck was the last straw) I said I don't want anyone in my garden anymore... I hope my mood will recover.

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  24. Thank you, Aimee, and I am glad to hear from you. Do you have a pink double spirea? I don't think I have seen one before, I am looking forward to seeing pictures of it on your blog.

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  25. Thank you, RR, I really needed that cheerful message! I am glad you understand how I feel.

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  26. Thank you, Daphne, I am sure they will eventually. I am glad you liked my pictures, your comments keep me going:)

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  27. Yes, rain makes me depressed too. I am glad you got just enough to give you a break from watering.

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  28. Sorry to hear about the losses and damages in your garden but Im sure they all will come back strong and beautiful again with your tender loving care! Inspite of that, your lovely blue iris and spirea really brighten up your garden.

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  29. Thank you, p3chandan, for your kind compliments. I am waiting for my roses to grow back, and just have to be patient.

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  30. Your garden looks fantastic despite all that has been happening. Of course, it could have been better. Did you hear any of your plants saying, "I'll be back?"

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  31. Masha, You have such a beautiful rose garden! Just love all your roses, they are gorgeous!

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  32. A shame about your Felicite Parmentier! Easily my favorite rose...

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  33. Dear Masha,
    Oh .... Oh .... Oh ... What a pity for your beautiful plants and roses.
    I can understand that you are very sad about this, but Nature goes its own way, and it restored itself again hear!.
    Kind regards, Elly

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  34. Yes, One, I thought I did. Unfortunately, they said "I will be back, but not this year". I need to practice patience more.

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  35. Thank you, Sandra, for your kind compliments. I need them now:)

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  36. Oh no, I'm sorry about all of the damage to your roses. But what's blooming now looks glorious!

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  37. I think so too, Anika. Fortunately, I have lots of other roses which are all my favorite, so I won't go completely without rose blooms this spring.

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  38. Thank you, dear Elly, for cheering me up. It is true that a few months from now most plants won't even show any damage any more, and my roses will be blooming again.

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  39. Thank you, Sweetbay, and you are right, I should look more at what is looking good.

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  40. Your plants are looking absolutely beautiful. I have also been surprised at the resilience of a lot of the flowering plants in my area. It seems that there is a huge thrust of life this spring, the plants can't wait to open their eyes and see the beautiful day!

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  41. FFD, thank you for such a beautiful metaphor. I agree, spring is the best time of year.

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  42. Your spirea is beautiful! And the iris, too. I can well understand your disappointment at the damage caused by the wind, rain, and tree removal people. We lost a glorious stand of small trees that hung over our garden fence a couple of years ago. The neighboring property owner had every single one removed in one afternoon. There will be no recovery from that damage - but we move on and focus on the beauty inside the garden fence, as you are focusing on your spirea, iris, and Japanese Maple.

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  43. Thank you, Ginny, and I am sorry about your trees. You are right not to focus on it, a garden is always changing even though not always in the desired direction. It is all part of life.

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I am so glad you have stopped by!