Downsizing

haha wish you’d sent me those “ugly” trees (I need them along the east side of our porch to keep the winter wind/cold out) as well as all that gravel (I’m digging up lawn and putting down stone/gravel paths throughout my yard).

One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.

Your daughter sounds like mine—“oh mommy… can I…” and of course the answer is yes.

How tall does the ground cover roses grow?

- “Grandma D”

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Hi Debbie … I’m actually a Debbie too …

Well the trees themselves weren’t really awful … just terribly placed right in front of the porch. And, too bad you weren’t closer cuz I would have loved to pass on the gravel and bushes!! Gardening and sharing go hand in hand!

The ground cover roses get 3’ high and about 5’ wide. The blooms are 2-3” wide with about 20-25 pedals. They arrived bare root; so it was exciting waiting for them to leaf out and bloom!! They did really well for me this summer and are still blooming, here in Michigan, at this moment. I think they will winter just fine; I am more concerned for my Weeping Rose Trees … they did spread out a bit during the summer and bloomed nice, but seem a little delicate. Guess I will stake them good and hope for the best.

Do you grow roses?

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

I have one rose bush, actually I think I have two – one is buried in amongst some cedar trees in a flowerbed that desperately needs to be redone (ok – it’s full of weeds).. and the other one is a climbing rose that I have at the side of the deck. It isn’t doing well. Probably needs some fertilizer. I guess I’ll have to do some TLC next spring.

I think the problem was that I didn’t cut back the stalks – I thought they would cling to the fencing and just grow from there each year. I think that I thought wrong.

How high will your Weeping Rose tree get?? Maybe that’s the right size tree for my backyard.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

The Weeping Rose Trees get about 3 feet tall. I ordered my roses from Jackson & Perkins. They have a nice web site and catalog. My understanding is they are known for their roses. Guess I will see, huh! Hee

This “cutting back” of the roses is what makes me nervous … how much do you clip, how do you know what to cut back, etc. The gal who sold me the roses said she had ground cover roses and each spring really gives them a good clipping … but I am not sure what that exactly means.

Guess this is how we learn …

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

and that’s what GT is all about—someone will know! We just have to wait for him/her to show up

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Yes, I am very excited about this site … the possibilities are endless!!! It sure has been nice chatting with you! Have a blessed week.

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

We inherited a nice rose when we moved into our house…my creative cut-backs and the prunings of the dogs made short work of that poor plant! LOL…

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

“creative cut-backs” haha love it :)
I planted a “nannyberry” tree this fall and the lawnmower did some creative cutting back of it as well… didn’t have it a week and it was history.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Don’t have any “cut back stories” but I think my neighbors think I am a bit “batty” ... been out twice (bundled to the hilt with this cold weather), hammer in hand, pounding this stake I put into the ground to tie up my larger rose tree … and it is STILL “blowing in the wind”. I mean really, how hard is it to put a stake in the ground??? Maybe I should get my “lumberjock” hubby out there with the hammer cuz his “Gardentenders” wife isn’t doing something right!! Hee

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

haha that’s it Grandma T…. set up a story to make his ego feel good ;)

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Careful with motivating a Lumberjock, Grandma T! You might end up with a scaffolding structure that weighs 500 lbs., and completely obscures the tree!

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

lol that’s funny … like a dog dish holder becomes a work of art.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Talk about work of art: the dog dishes outside are frozen solid with several leaves still stuck in it!

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

okay you two are HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ... and certainly know “Lumberjocks”!!!!!!!

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Takes one to know one, G’ma T!

Although, I’m probably a GT 1st, and LJ 2nd…to demonstrate, I don’t have any pics of my shop or projects, but plenty of the garden!

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

Oh wow!! I love to sit in my husband’s shop and watch him work … but the whole thing intimidates (and scares) me. I have a real appreciation for folks who can turn “boards” of wood into something beautiful. But then I know my hubby has an appreciation for my gardens cuz they intimidate the heck out of him. Maybe that is the secret to our 33 year marriage … hee

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Congrats on your long-lasting marriage! Our secret is that she rules inside the house, and I rule outside the house! One of the funny things about two only-children marrying each other; as soon as each gets to carve out their respective territories, the world is a happy place!

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

Well we tried the inside/outside thing … didn’t work for us; as you know I love the outside too. Poor Russ, he pretty much let’s me have my way with both as long as I stay away from his shop and his recliner. Hee

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

sounds like you found a system that works then :)
re: woodworking – I don’ touch the table saw or the router… no thank you. but the other toys, I mean tools, I’m willing to have a go at them.
I joined LumberJocks to see if I’d enjoy playing with wood… and look at my journey now (more chatting than building, and now GT. I’m so glad I joined up!)

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

I’m impressed that you are “trying your hand” at woodworking … I wouldn’t even know where to start. And I understand what you are saying about LJ’s … Russel LOVES the site. He was so darn excited when there was talk about the GT site. Once it got up and running he knew I would love it … and I do!

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

cutting back roses you ask?... well in the streching of our back yard – digging down a few feet and putting retainting walls along the back, some of the plants that were once in the woods were now (seemingly) in the middle of the yard. most of these were mowed repeatedly… and lo they kept coming back – a long grapevine type something that I’ve made wreaths out of, and it’s taken years to discover… roses. If only they flowered sooner I’d never have attempted to rid my yard of them year after year! Other roses took a while to establish on the other side of the house… methinks I should move them, as I know where the “sweet spot” is. I moved them a year ago fall, and they are still doing well. I cut them back when I moved them, but left them free this year. I don’t know if that’ll be a help or hindrance.

re: LJ and GT… so much fun, and so much to learn and share! Love it!

-- southern NH. - smack dab in the middle of 5a and 5b - with lots of shade and full sun, in all the wrong places.

and I love being on the “ground floor” of GT … everyone has “everything” to say … nothing taken for granted… nothing “repeated”... it’s like I’ve bought an empty piece of land and am a sponge for ideas of what to do with it!

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Scott … At our former home I had “wild roses” growing right on the edge of our “forest” toward the back of the yard. They were very viney and to my mind didn’t really resemble any climbing rose bush I had ever seen; but once they bloomed I knew it was some sort of rose. Those roses I would cut down almost to the ground each year. However I do know the roses I planted in the front yard need a more specialized pruning … gonna dig out my gardening books sometime before now and spring. Right now I’m just hoping they survive the winter; I figure my ground cover roses will be fine. It’s the tree roses I am concerned about. Knew the “trees” were somewhat of an experiment when I planted them. Please let me know, come spring/summer, what worked better for your roses … the pruning or leaving them “free” ...

And, Debbie I too am thrilled to be part of the ground floor of GT. Loving all the sharing of lives, gardening knowledge, and stories!!! Everyone is so friendly … I have learned so much!!

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

You’ve done so much it looks great!!

Thanks Erin!! I am very happy with my front bed and the progress we made in the yard this year … little bit each year. Your yard is coming along nicely too …

All the flower catalogues I am getting is not helping with my “spring fever” ... it is fun to check everything out and plan ahead on what flowers I will order or look for at our flower markets.

In Texas, are you actually gardening now? When is your “planting season”? I imagine it is different from ours here in Michigan.

Fortunately I get good sunlight inside the house; so I am able to grow my African Violets … they are another love of mine. Keeps my sanity through the winter … hee

Happy New Year to you my dear!

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Sounds like we have (or had) the same vining (out of the woods) roses GrammaT! Ours are all light pink. Methinks an earlier homeowner had less luck with certain plants and just flung them into the woods.

There is a massive patch of tiger lilies that grew well enough down in the woods, but never bloomed until I brought some up into the yard, They really took off, 4-5 feet high. All of a sudden I started seeing patches of them everywhere, down the street, and seemingly around every corner wherever I drove. I thinned them back, kept (and moved) a few, and sent the rest packing. They were where the vegetables are going to be – and apparently, need less than no help to thrive.

If anyone would like some, I’ll send you as many bulbs as you want!

-- southern NH. - smack dab in the middle of 5a and 5b - with lots of shade and full sun, in all the wrong places.

Tigers are great, and they multiply like crazy! I’d take some, but I’ve already got a bed-ful.

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

I think the ones that I have were dug up from the roadside.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Ahhhhh Daylilies … one of my favs!!!!! Yes Tiger Lilies (or Roadside Lilies as they are sometimes called) are VERY prolific and will take OVER your garden if you let them. What seems weird is I grew many, many different type of daylilies at our old home and the only ones that I was constantly pulling out were the Tigers … but they are majestic and beautiful. (Actually they like to be thinned out a bit; you get more blooms. I know lots of people use them for naturalizing too …)

I brought several pieces of my Daylily “babies” with me in the move, but they are not large enough to share yet. When they get larger, I’ll offer. I have quite a few different colors and dwarf’s too.

Scott I laughed when you mentioned previous homeowners throwing stuff “in to the back 40” as we used to call it. I am guilty of doing that myself. Figured if it lived that was good, if not, well it’s good fertilizer. New owners will have a “treasure” if they go hunting and transplanting !!!

And as for the viney roses … yup, I do believe they are one in the same. Mine also had little pink roses on them. Never did get to transplanting the poor thing before we left.

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Your front looks great! I love the hanging baskets and pots look so full, the foundation plans below look great also.(Nice job)

-- Louise Edgwood,Md.

GramaT…......nevry nce transformation from overgrown and or unkept. When ever I see a home with plants like that, I always think that “love” must live there.

I notice your hanging pots hang lower then most and never quite understood why people hang a hanging basket up near the roof? I always add a piece of rope or chain and drop them down making it easier to water and provide a little more privacy with a better view of the flowers.

I bet that this year, that front garden will look even better.

-- Central northish Ontario

Thank you Greenthumb … such truly kind words … I do love our new little house. With my physical limitations now, it is so nice not be frustrated with seeing all the things I cannot do any longer. This year we (okay hubby) want to paint the foundation a soft white to match the trim and shutters, and of course add lots more flowers!

I am with you, I have a real pet peave about people hanging their pots “from their roofs”. Just don’t understand it either. The pots are so much prettier when lowered to just above eye level. I used black colored chains to match the metal on the porch. And of course my “OCD” comes out cuz heaven forbid the pots not hang at all the same length!!! LOL!!!

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

The talking house? Interesting LOL

-- Hooked on Gardening.....Ontario zone 5b

Wow, I went back to check out house pictures and update the house photo as this was the first project/blog that I posted here on GT … Really neat to see the changes that have taken place each year from when we first bought it.

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Major transformation…great street appeal.

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

Thanks XO … as I said above, it is really quite exciting to actually see in front of you just how much has changed. It feels like home now …

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Thanks for the update on this post to show the progression.. It’s something to sit back and look at the changes.. Really great work.

Trying to keep some variety here and mix up what’s planted in the beds. Only so many lilies you can do before it just blurs together.

-- Planting Daylilies in Kentucky, zone 6b

It’s so much fun to look back on what we started with and what changes we make every year to our yards.You really did wonders with your yard GrandmaT.I am looking forward to the before and after pics of our place too.Very interesting thread.I loved it.

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

You are so right, Bon. GrandmaT was smart taking those before and after shots. I wish I had taken shots of this place when we first moved in. Talk about disaster ! But that’s another story.

-- jroot