Hands Dirty

As part of getting our yard prepped for spring, Gasperini-Ville is doing a mid-February pruning per the recommendation of a local landscaper.  

On Sunday, GG trimmed the crepe myrtles, taking care not to whack them, but instead trim any wayward twigs and take a little off the top of the uppermost branches.  Excellent work.  We did a little web research before sending him out, not sure whether to uniformly cut the branches or allow for a more natural look.  Most sites recommended easing up on the uniformity, so au natural we went.  

Yesterday, I tackled the hydrangea, ornamental grasses, day lilies, red twig dogwood, and butterfly bush while the boys scurried around the yard, trains and adventures afoot (baby J was napping indoors, of course).  After an hour or so pruning, I ventured back inside, aglow by the wonder of gardening--it is therapy, for sure!  Investing in the care and maintenance of living things no doubt brings meaning and purpose to one's daily existence (especially when they can't talk back or disobey! ;).  No wonder nursing homes with pets and plants report lower mortality and greater vitality among the residents.  The gardner in me has taken hold!!  Now onto the St. John's wort and Russian sage tomorrow, followed by bed cleaning, mulching, fertilizing....

I can't wait to see the fruits of our efforts come bloom this spring and summer.  I saw faint evidence of the coming beauty when I pulled out the dead stalks of the former day lilies.  Small green shoots sat nestled below the surface, offering hope for all of us praying for winter's end.  The butterfly bush even seemed to spruce up and sit a little taller after I left her a third of her former size.  Pruning is, indeed, a good thing and she needed a lot of help.

Perhaps some inner pruning is in order as well?  

Happy Tuesday and God bless,