Simply..drastic action....

2/8/2016

I often put it off longer than I should, but the first of August seemed like a good day to cut back some perennials which were looking rather sad, to encourage fresh new foliage (and maybe a few more flowers).

So the veronicastrum with its yellowing leaves was ruthlessly cut to about 4 inches. Tomorrow I plan to weed and aereate the soil around it and give it a good soak and a liquid feed.

I didn't realise just how much the yellow gate is leaning - better catch it before it falls over into the road!

I was equally ruthless with the pots on the steps. See here how straggly they were.

Fingers crossed for more flowers....

Are you being ruthless with anything right now?

It can feel wrong and yet right at the same time I find, but just being decisive is rather satisfying!

A corner of the cutting patch.

8 Comments

Mary

3/8/2016 05:48:59 am

Frankly, it is too hot where Ilive to be ruthless right now (12 straight days with highs of 32-38C--even the lows didn't go below 28C and retched humidity). So enervated at the moment that it would take too much energy to spend time outside. Though I am fortunate to have air-conditioning where I live and work (bless the inventor). I admire your tenacity at tackling the garden. But even when some of your garden is past its prime, it still remains beautiful. Your cutting patch is enviable and delightful.

Freda

3/8/2016 01:57:58 pm

I realize more and more how lucky we are with our temperate climate here! The cutting patch comes into its own just as the rest fades which is nice..

elaine link

3/8/2016 06:55:48 am

I spent yesterday doing the very same thing - cutting back the alchemilla Mollis and geranium Ann Folkard before they have a chance to seed everywhere. It all looks a bit tidier now.

Freda

3/8/2016 02:00:53 pm

Alchemilla yes, but geranium Ann Folkard can seed itself as much as it likes here as I find it doesn't ever choke other things out here and I adore the colour of the magenta flowers with the lime green leaves. Nice to think of us doing the same thing in our different parts of the country Elaine.

cath

3/8/2016 08:35:25 am

My balconygarden isn't doing very well this year. Healthy looking plants (mostly campanula) not producing any flowers and that for weeks already. Yesterday I gave in and removed all of them but two that have one or two small flowers and the promise of more.

I never would have thought I'd follow Marie Kondo in this, but I have thanked them all before removing and it does feel so right! The thanking I mean.

I have replaced them by Verbena, fingers crossed there still is some summerbloom to enjoy now.

Freda

3/8/2016 02:02:30 pm

Well done for being decisive Cath! And thanking them is rather a charming gesture. Good luck with the verbena.

Lotta link

3/8/2016 10:35:47 am

I want to wander round your cutting patch! Well done with the ruthless cutting back. It looks beautiful - all those colours. I love how the yellow gate still looks so cheerful even at its current angle! I'm being ruthless with old silly beliefs - feels good.

Freda

3/8/2016 02:04:18 pm

I must get ruthless with the old silly belief that I am not allowed to change my mind....

Simply..drastic action....

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