Just for a change from the rain, today we have fog, but it seems to be thinning, and shortly I’ll wager we’ll have a sunny afternoon, and won’t that be lovely.
If it does clear maybe it would be a good time to take your hedge trimmers and cut off your ornamental grasses, to make room for new growth. At the same time you could cut off the plumes of your pampas grass. This vigorous and impressive plant is sometimes burned to get rid of old growth, but this always seems pretty drastic to me, and there is no point in the neighbours alerting the fire department when they see all the smoke. Years ago we had a pampas in the front garden which loved it there and attempted to take over the whole yard. We decided it had to go, but easier said than done. It took a double-bitted axe to divide it up, two strong men to wrestle the roots out of the ground and a pick-up truck to take it away. It was a sad day seeing it go. Its plumes were beautiful, and at one point served as a huge airy feather on a hat I wore to a Halloween party, but it was a case of letting it become a monster and our having to move the house, or get rid of it. That was many years ago, but I still feel stabs of guilt when I think of it.
A few minutes ago I was sitting here in front of the computer trying to think of something interesting to share with you when I suddenly remembered I had a doctor’s appointment this morning and it was just about the time. You wouldn’t believe how fast I moved, and, since he was busy, I was right on time. (I am fine, in case you wondered.)
Last week a couple of really nice things happened. First, Doris M. called to ask if I would be interested in a magazine containing an article about Clematis. Of course I was and asked her to stay for tea. When she arrived, not only did she bring the magazine, but also a beautiful variegated flowered cyclamen. What a lovely thing to do.
Annie Z. who with her husband bought our Melissa Street house, arrived with a bouquet of snowdrops out of what used to be my garden, my idea of the ultimate kindness. Last year Ruth M. brought me the same, but from her garden, a beautiful reminder that spring is almost here. I love this column, it has brought me so many friends.
