I think I must have complained too early about spring not coming quickly enough. We ended up having great weather the past few days. There was sun and blue skies, even if it did barely make 50 degrees. I enjoyed getting my roses pruned, and they have lots of new growth showing. I don't have too many roses right now, mostly because I have little kids that like to play in the flower beds.
One of my favorites has been 'Angel Face'. It has very pretty lavender flowers, almost with a hint of blue, and has a very nice scent, it's classified as a floribunda (1968). Another great one that never fails is 'Iceberg' with its snow white flowers, also a floribunda (1958). Both of these also can be found as climbers. Honey Perfume is a newer one in my garden, it's another floribunda (2004). It has apricot/yellow flowers and is supposed to be quite disease resistant. I have only had a few blooms on it, and they do have a nice scent although not all that strong.
Another big accomplishment was finally getting rid of the plum tree that had become an eyesore. It was right next to our driveway and made such a mess. The plums cracked every year and no one ever got to enjoy them. It also became infested with aphids which attracted ants and yellow jackets, not to mention all the suckers it sent up everywhere. I worked hard to surprise my husband and managed to cut the tree down and dig out the rootball to make room for our newest addition.
I've always wanted a magnolia tree and we found a really nice one over the weekend. It didn't hurt that the nursery was having a 30 percent off balled and burlapped trees. The variety we chose is called 'Vulcan' and is a newer cultivar and no, we are not into Star Trek. This magnolia should reach about 25 feet. The flowers are wine colored and 10+ inches across and highly fragrant. I think the magnolia flower buds alone are very pretty.
I hope it lives up to its description. Either way it should be much nicer than what was there. While I was out I cleaned up the flower bed it was planted in. My husband brought me many bags of soil and compost to fill in where the stump and roots were.
In front of this bed, to the right in this picture, is a row of spirea 'Magic Carpet'. They stay small and have golden yellow leaves with a bit of red at the edges. The flowers are a reddish pink. I think I will plant annuals around the tree while it's small or until I decide what I'd like to have there.
I love getting started on the spring cleanup early. I hope we'll have some more mild weather so I can continue my work. There's more weeding to be done!
It is looking good. I too love magnolias. This one has great buds. Can't wait to see it in bloom with the spireas.
ReplyDeleteThat looks real nice. Magnolia's are great! We too had a plum tree that was more mess than is was worth. We cut it down about 3 years ago and still every spring we will see a shoot come up in the grass. We didn't dig it up though.
ReplyDeleteYou dug out an entire root ball?? You've got some muscle, girl! Interesting that the plum got aphids. So did mine a few years ago. It was right on the fence line and my neighbor's vegetable garden was just on the other side which prohibited any spraying other than dish soap and water which didn't work because the tree was completely taken over. (Admittedly a small tree.) It was gross. So I sawed away on it, leaving the trunk and a few lower branches because they were very ornamental. Actually because I'm lazy. Anyway, no more plums for my brood either. Love the magnolia bud. I've got a star magnolia that has similar buds right now. The weather has been awesome. Looking forward to seeing more of your border as it evolves.
ReplyDeleteTina - Thanks, this is actually the tree we ended up with when we saw the lavender twist redbuds you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteDarla - Those plum trees really are bad with suckers. As I was pulling up the roots they took entire plants out with them.
Grace - It was a good workout, my back and triceps were so sore the next day. I guess some plums are prone to aphids. I didn't want to spray either and it really was pretty gross. The star magnolias are very pretty, hope you'll show it in blooms
Hi Catherine, job well done. That looks like a huge digging effort to get all the plum out. I love the magnolia and love the name too. We have several magic carpets and I love them also. What a terrific shrub. Your area looks beautiful and I know you will plant something delightful under the new magnolia. :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
One of the great things about living in the south is the magnolias. Every house has a magnolia in the yard. THey are huge down here too. These types wont grow up north but there are some beauties that do.
ReplyDeleteYou have a beautiful lawn. I look forward to the same type of weekend. Can't wait to see pics of that great new tree as it grows.
ReplyDelete-Heather
When I said lawn, I meant yard and garden.lol
ReplyDelete-Heather
Frances - It was a lot of work, my husband told me to leave it for him, but then I took it on as a challenge. I really enjoy the spireas too, although mine don't look that nice in the winter, but I see leaf buds starting.
ReplyDeleteflowrgirl1 - When I think of the south I always imagine magnolias. I never realized how many varieties there were.
Heather - If you saw the lawn you definitely wouldn't say beautiful :) I'm trying to convince my husband to get rid of most of it. The tree is so tiny now, but it's supposed to be a fast growing variety. I'll show pictures of any blooms I get this year.
I'm excited to see your magnolia tree in bloom! My daughter has one outside her second floor apt. bedroom window. This will be her first spring there.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're able to be out and about!
Wow! Catherine, you got a lot done! Love the tree. I have a tree that needs to go too- big job! The next one I get , whatever it is, will have little snowdrops and crocus planted at its base :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I so want a Magnolia. Just don't have the proper space for their spread. I'll enjoy yours as it grows! Nice job on the demo!
ReplyDeleteYou know magnolias are super messy too, right? :) I'd take it over a diseased plum any day, of course. My daughter and I love to "crack and peel" the petals near their bases and see all the different layers. And that spicy smell! Mmmm, I love magnolia season, even though I don't have any trees myself. Great work, getting the plum out all by your lonesome! You're going to have to put yourself in the "muscle" category too from now on.
ReplyDeleteSue - Your daughter will have a nice view this spring! It looks like it will be another nice day here.
ReplyDeleteTessa - Luckily this tree wasn't too huge, I think if another tree needs to go I'm leaving it to the husband. Snowdrops and crocus sound really pretty under a tree.
Melanthia - I was surprised at how many varieties and sizes were available. There was one that only got to 10 feet in 10 years, maybe you find room for a small one?
Karen - I know they can be messy, but anything is better than being dripped on by aphids in a tree, disgusting! I hope I don't cramp his style, but I have lots of ideas that he can help me with this spring to keep his "muscle" title.
I think you are very clever with all this planting and planning for more. So glad you got that magnolia. I have a Jane and love it. I will be looking forward to seeing the front yard dug up!
ReplyDeleteAnna - I love making room for more plants, and I'm anxious to see my magnolia bloom :)
ReplyDelete