The first day of Spring was spectacularly anticlimactic as it was ushered in with drizzly rain and very grey skies. Despite that the garden is kicking into gear. You can see we made a pilgrimage to our favorite local nursery and picked up a few colorful plants to replenish some of the pots. And just as soon as the weather cooperates I'll get them planted.
Weekend before last Rick made a garden obelisk/trellis (I never know exactly what to call it). It is a replica of one he built at our last house that we had to leave behind as it was supporting a very vigorous climbing rose.
It's hard to get a good photo of the color. It's a perfectly neutral green (Benjamin Moore Mistletoe) but it's reading a little cool in the picture.
The plant it is supporting is a Arabian Jasmine. It has been in a pot for a couple of years and the soil just wasn't nutrient rich enough for it, no matter how much fertilizer and iron we gave it. Instead of having dark, glossy green leaves it has become very yellow. We are hoping that once it gets settled in the ground it will green up. The scent of the flowers is just heady and so lovely to sit next to on Summer evenings.
Rick doesn't use a template or plans for the trellis. He used 2 x 2's for the four legs and the horizontal pieces and 1 x 2's for the middle vertical pieces. He laid two of the legs on the ground and adjusted them to the spread we wanted then laid the horizontal pieces on top of them and marked the angle and length he needed to cut. No math trickery or geometry needed. It's very handy having a clever husband.
He added a post cap and glass door knob to finish it off. My job was to paint and you can see I first went with white but once we had it outside up against the dark fence it just looked too contrasty. Once the jasmine (hopefully) greens up I think it will blend really nicely with all the plants. I was trying to replicate Disneyland's "go away" green (Google it. It's a thing).
Next on the list is to get on top of the weeds. I am happy about the rain and warmer temperatures but goodness has it put the weeds in overdrive.
Also I think my ornamental cabbages may have bolted. Haha!
Go away green, who knew? I’m going to check it out at Disney World next month! Love the trellis, I think I’ve talked my husband into making one! Thanks!
Oh Disney World – how fun! My niece just moved to Orlando to work at one of the hotels on the property and I am dying to go (to see her of course, but if Disney fits in the agenda well then….)
Gah! I need you both up here this summer when we re-do the backyard! Trellis’ need building.. Plants need choosing… We just *love* your backyard!
2018 is not going to pass without me coming to see you and your house. I cant wait to see everything you have done.