i didn't sleep well last night.
and here's the thing (i can't believe i'm admitting this): i was tossing and turning because i couldn't stop thinking about gardening.
seriously. i don't know what's wrong with me.
one issue that's got my mind spinning is my front porch. i removed the rickety old rocking chair that was there and now have all of this space (remember?) -- i've been thinking it might be nice to put a dramatic potted plant there.
but i know nothing about plants. or about pots, for that matter. so after staring at the ceiling this morning, fantasizing about my options, i finally got out of bed at 5:30 and started googling.
2 hours of surfing later, i still had no idea what i should put on the porch. how on earth do i decide? there are zillions of choices! i need advice. maybe i should just opt for a bench... that's surely an easier decision.
the other gardening issue occupying my noggin is the shrubbery along the back of the house. i love having them cut way back and actually look forward to keeping these beds tidy, starting with some immediate weeding. so as i was tossing and turning this morning, i almost convinced myself to get out in the yard and actually work.
almost. googling 'container gardening' ended up being more appealing. especially since it was still dark outside.
Posted by xta at May 16, 2005 02:04 PM | TrackBackhave you ever watched the show "Gardening by the Yard"? That's my favorite gardening show. The host is goofy but he goes through every topic in obsessive detail, which I think you would appreciate as much as I do. Anyway he talks about container gardening a lot.
Posted by: Sarah at May 16, 2005 03:06 PMAs a little one did you have a hard time sleeping on Christmas Eve?
Vaguely related tidbit: I recently read that anxiety and excitement are in many ways the same emotion of stress, differentiated by whether you're expecting failure or success. Fascinating.
Posted by: Phil at May 16, 2005 11:10 PMOhh, I love deciding what to plant! I can't believe it's causing you stress! Sun all day, shade all day, morning sun or afternoon sun??
Posted by: Lisa B at May 17, 2005 11:42 AMthe area has morning sun, then is in total shade the rest of the day. thanks for any advice!
Posted by: christa at May 17, 2005 12:15 PManything that says "part shade" will do really well in an area like that. My shady areas are the opposite: morning shade and afternoon sun. Which is bad, because most "part shade" plants can't handle the hot afternoon sun.
are you looking for a shrub, small perennials, flowers, foliage??
Posted by: Sarah at May 17, 2005 03:39 PMsarah, i don't really know what i'm looking for! :-)
i want something unusual and dramatic that looks good year-round... and something that will also complement the orange & yellow entryway.
i kind of like the "sky pencil" on this webpage:
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_trees_shrubs_evergreen/article/0,1785,HGTV_3645_2572901,00.html
but it sounds like it needs more sun than i have.
I don't have a specific perennial shrub in mind to tell you, but the vendors at the state farmer's market can be very helpful. There are several who specialize in shrubbery--just tell them how big your container is and what kind of sun and they should hook you right up. The Durham Garden Center and Stone Brothers & Byrd are also really helpful. I say take a trip to one of those places this weekend.
Posted by: Lisa B at May 18, 2005 09:30 AMIt sounds like you've got great people right here willing to give you all the help you need, but another place to ask questions/get advice is the HGTV gardening message board. Those folks have taught me a ton! Good luck with your planting - post pics once you get your container up and running. :-)
http://boards.hgtv.com/6/ubb.x?a=cfrm&s=1084078532&f=9774011632