Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Tell-the-Truth-Tuesday: Lost in a cloud

With my house in a state of chaos, I find myself needing to assert some control over my garden.  That impulse has been manifested mainly in clean-up activities thus far (but don't be surprised if I'm tearing up a bed or two in the near future).  Late last week, I noticed that the Wahlenbergia 'Blue Cloud' I'm so fond of for softening the sharp edges of the succulent bed on the south end of my garden had gotten rather out of control.

There are 3 Agave americana mediopicta 'Alba' in the mix here.  Can you see them?  Planted nearly 3 years ago as pups given to me by Hoover Boo of Piece of Eden, the Agaves had bulked up nicely following our winter rains but, wrapped up in a filmy cloud of blue flowers, you can barely see them here.


I started cutting the bellflower back but ended up pulling large sections of it out where it had woven itself in the narrow spaces between succulents.  It remains to be seen whether I went too far.  My guess is it'll come back.

As it is, the Lessingia 'Silver Carpet' is also doing its best to engulf the variegated Agave in the foreground


In any case, it looks a bit neater, doesn't it?

Tell-the-Truth-Tuesday is the brainchild of Alison at Bonnie Lassie.  Do you have any garden woes or faux-pas you'd like to share?


All material © 2012-2019 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
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16 comments:

  1. AlisonJuly 9, 2019 at 8:49 AM

    I have a couple of areas like this that are lost in a cloud, but mine is a cloud of weeds, usually some kind of vetch. At least your cloud is pretty.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kris PetersonJuly 9, 2019 at 7:18 PM

      'Blue Cloud' IS a great plant, if just a touch aggressive.

      Delete
  2. Denise/agrowingobsessionJuly 9, 2019 at 9:39 AM

    I really need to bring some of those blue clouds to my garden -- incredible how happy it is in yours.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kris PetersonJuly 9, 2019 at 7:21 PM

      It's currently available from Annie's, Denise - and on sale too! I've been wondering if I should introduce it on my back slope. It'd be interesting if it can hold up against the persistent encroachment of ivy planted there by some foolish prior owner long, long ago.

      Delete
  3. NellJuly 9, 2019 at 10:41 AM

    When I saw the post title, I figured it would be another of those magical images where your hilltop is isolated in a fog, but couldn't really see how that would be in the spirit of 'Tell the Truth Tuesday'. Clever! And it does look cleaner; those blue sticks jump out more, as well as the agaves.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kris PetersonJuly 9, 2019 at 7:23 PM

      I was surprised when I stepped back and saw how much of 'Blue Cloud' I cut back, Nell. I haven't tried collecting the seed and sowing that but perhaps I should try it. There's still enough to produce seed.

      Delete
  4. Eliza WatersJuly 9, 2019 at 2:07 PM

    Yes, it was time...much neater! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kris PetersonJuly 9, 2019 at 8:38 PM

      The succulents need their opportunity to shine!

      Delete
  5. Lisa at GreenbowJuly 9, 2019 at 2:55 PM

    I like that pretty little froth but it did need to be put in it's place so to speak. I am sure I could find something to whine about. Something that is my fault so to speak. ha...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kris PetersonJuly 9, 2019 at 8:39 PM

      In my own case, I tend to ignore rampant plants until well after they step over the line.

      Delete
  6. Hoover BooJuly 9, 2019 at 3:50 PM

    Now I want that Wahlenbergia! I love garden froth.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kris PetersonJuly 9, 2019 at 8:39 PM

      It IS exuberant! Annie's has it available now - and their summer sale is on.

      Delete
  7. SusieJuly 9, 2019 at 3:59 PM

    Kris, it didn't look out of control to me but after seeing the end result I admire that you recognized it could use a trim. Lovely scene.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kris PetersonJuly 9, 2019 at 8:41 PM

      I felt about it much like I do when I finally get around to cutting my husband's hair, Susie - it looks better with a little regular grooming.

      Delete
  8. ksJuly 9, 2019 at 4:57 PM

    Your clean-up was effective Kris !

    ReplyDelete

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