Our other spirea is blooming. It will bloom again later in the summer.
Okay. You’ve seen a closeup of the flowers.
Let’s step back and take a look at what this tiny little bush that I planted a couple of years after we moved in has become.
You can see the Annabelle hydrangea behind it. I planted them rather close together, having no idea how large they might become.
Let’s get an even better view:
This year, it has gone crazy. I need to cut it back, but I’ll wait until the end of summer. When I realized how much it had grown, the flower buds were beginning to show themselves and I didn’t have the heart to do any pruning. (And I secretly like seeing how far it will go.)
Cripes, it could take over the whole lawn!
It was a quiet weekend here. I did some mowing on Saturday – the corral – and I’ll mow the back forty later today. Don was at a gig during the afternoon yesterday. I do miss him when he’s gone. Everything is more interesting and fun when he’s by my side. But one thing is sure, I accomplish a whole lot more when he’s away. I did laundry, swiffered, vacuumed, and dusted. I watched part of a ball game and the men’s singles at the French Open. And I worked on a puzzle that is promising to be very difficult. A challenge!
It got much cooler yesterday and it seems to be the same today. I’m going to mail a package at the post office, drop some books off at the library, and stop at the nursery to find a replacement for a porch plant that died. Why it did, I don’t know, as I plant it every year. Just one of those things.
Then I’ll mow.
Stay safe.
Happy Monday.
I can’t believe that’s only one spirea bush…it looks like three. It is beautiful, however, and I wouldn’t cut it back until fall either…if at all. All that info on proper spacing of plants is on those tags I get from the nursery, but it has taken me years to realize the importance of actually reading them…lol.
I get far more work done when my husband is otherwise occupied…funny how that works, eh? However, it is more fun doing things together for sure.
Enjoy your puzzle! ;)
It’s not as striking when it’s not in bloom, but it’s sure big!
Thanks, Donnamae.
Stay safe.
I get much more done when my hubby is out of the house too. Both of us being retired can be too much togetherness although I do miss him after a few hours.
The spirea is beautiful!
Take care
Thank you, Marilyn!
Stay safe.
what a pretty (and huge) spirea bush. and pink …. i’ve never seen one that is pink!
glad you and don had good, productive, fun times, whether together or in different places. in a different way, i get that. can’t seem to do any book-writing when at family members’ homes (like now). oh, well. i like to get things done, but i like being with them much better. :)
peeked through the curtains early this morning before opening them and there, right at the base of the (nearly to the floor) window was burl/baby earl, looking up at me. he didn’t move, just kept looking up at me as if to say “hurry up! i’m hungryyyyyyy!” i hurried to get some peanuts out there for him. guess i am now his sous chef on demand. haha.
hope you all have a wonderful day. stay safe.
kathy
Very sweet Baby Earl!
Stay safe, Kathy.
Such a beautiful planting! I have a small spirea that was gifted to me but the flowers are yellow. Love your pink one! Can’t wait to see how far it grows.
X Chy
It’s insane, that spirea!
Stay safe, Chy.
That is one huge spirea bush. It is hard to cut back something you planted yourself. Dean did our back and front gardens starting in 2008 and he just can’t make himself do it. If he had his way, everything would run wild. So I’m the one digging up random eruptions of cat mint or pulling out cone flowers that jump pathways and start to choke out other plants. Same with the numerous daylilies we have everywhere. They become so huge and overgrown you just have to be ruthless in some places.
Take care,
Kay
Coneflowers never get cut back here! They can spread wherever they want because they are, to me, the epitome of a cottage garden flower. I live for their long-lasting blooms, Kay. LOVE LOVE LOVE!
Some plants I’d rather not see spread, though, so I understand.
Stay safe.
What a beautiful spirea bush. What plant died on the porch? I am babying a free tomato plant I received for free. I am ready to go outside and plant some seeds in the garden to see what pops up before the rain comes. I tried to get a neighborhood plant/seed swap going. It is amazing what you can divide and share. I laughed when I read you and a reader saying you both get more done when the husband is out of the house, me too. And I am like you, I miss my husband when he is not here with me. Take care.
Thanks so much, Carlotta!
Stay safe.
I love spirea. The seeds have spread into the cracks of out driveway so I have little spirea all along the curb and in cracks from snow heaving. It’s a new look! lol I will deal with them later…
Sort of neat to see where they spread!
Stay safe, Betsy.
The spires is so pretty with those deep pink flowers. I love pink but try to have other colors in my garden…
I’m busy with renovation. I want a shower only instead of shower in tub that I currently have. That will be safer for me as I age in place. I’ve gone through two big renos in this house but both were with my husband. This time around, I’m making all the decisions, with some input from the daughters. This third time is definitely more difficult for me because he’s not here. It’s not that I’m not competent, I totally am, but it’s also nice to share the decision-making with an equal partner.
Oh, I have a lot of other colors in my garden!
I’m sure you miss your husband’s input as you renovate, Wendy.
Stay safe.
Your yard is just beautiful. All your hard word has paid off with beauty all around you.
Once again I wish you blue skies, no wind, and sunshine but no excessive heat,
Kaye
That’s a lovely wish, Kaye.
Thank you.
Stay safe.
The spirea is fantastic. I smiled about it growing so big. I call my sweet pea Audrey Two because it just takes over (and I mean everywhere — I’m pulling sweet pea out in places nowhere near where it was planted!) It always gives wonderful pink flowers but this year it seems like the deer have been munching on them and the ones not eaten are the ones bordering the drive — maybe they don’t come that close to the garage! My Annabelle is out of control, too — I didn’t get it pruned in time (like you) and now it’s taking over. Like you, I’m letting it go.
It looks like a productive time and a busy day. I hope it’s a good one!
Letting things spread and grow is sort of the essence of the cottage garden, It’s fun to see the result.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
Claudia, I think our Spirea must be related. Ours is the same pink color and I love it. I planted it about 10 yrs ago and it has quadrupled in size. In early Spring I thought that I should cut it back and, of course, it never got done. Last weekend I told my hubs it must get done in the Fall. I feel like it looks messy as it just rambles along everywhere. It does look happy, though!!
My wildflower and zinnia and marigold seeds are all up and looking good. All of the purchased plants are looking good. My Bee Balm has taken over. It is that same sort of Spirea pink color and in the same garden bed, so it is a hot pink lalapalooza in there!!!! The bees just fall asleep in the middle of the flowers. It is kind of funny. They sure love “real” flowers rather than the ones we buy ready to plant.
It has been cool here, too, in the low to mid 70’s. By Sunday it is supposed to be in the 90’s for several days. ugh. Hope your week is going well. Take care.
I may cut back a bit of excess growth at the end of the season, just because those sections are blocking other plants.
Stay safe, Chris.