The First Two Sections — A Family Accomplishment!
Along the west side of our house, between the public right-of-way and the fence line, my father planted a row of Jean Marie Rhododendrons. (Or did Nyel plant them when we first moved in? I’ll have to look that up…) In any case, once they became well-established they began to grow like Topsy. (And if you remember who Topsy was, please let me know.)
Nyel-the-Rhodie-Trimmer, 2020.
For a few years, Nyel would trim them neatly in the late spring and they pretty much stayed under control. More recently, when he was wheel-chair-bound, he and I tackled them, every spring or summer… usually. When Marta came for summer visits, she got into the act, as well.. It was definitely a family gardening project and Nyel, being Chief Plant Guy took on the job of Quality Control. He even made a small standing measuring stick so we could be somewhat consistent.
Today’s helper: My Little Red Wagon!
Last summer (after his death in early June), I honestly don’t remember if we gave the rhodies a thought. Probably not because by this summer they have been threatening to block our kitchen windows and obliterate the south garden fence. Enter Charlie and Marta — to the rescue. Of the four sections, there is one short one — horizontally that is– to the north; two medium-sized ones; and one ominously long one at the south end of the property The kids and I did a fine job on the short and one of the medium-length ones. Not half of the total, but a good start.
The Final Section – for tomorrow.
Today I did the second of the medium-lengths. It took about two hours and I can’t say it looks perfect but… it’ll do. Tomorrow I’ll tackle the longest section in which the Dorothy Perkins Roses have intertwined themselves. It may be a scratchy two or three-day job. Stay tuned.
And where are those “kids” when I need them? There have been a few interested tourists. Perhaps I could try my Tom Sawyer routine on them…
Sidney, I have become fairly (or unfairly) proficient at the Tom Sawyer routine. We can compare strategies over a glass of wine. I’ll bring Huckleberry along…