In the Fairy Garden
Dear Reader,
The first time we looked at our property nine years ago, a steady breeze was coming up the hill from the soybean fields, and we were smitten within seconds of getting out of the car. We have many old oaks scattered around, and to the right of the house there are a couple of big ones that are surrounded by four dogwoods, lots of boulders, some azaleas, and, back then, lots of pink creeping phlox. That area seemed so magical that I named it the fairy garden.
This spring, after about five years of total neglect, we set about renovating that garden. A host of bad players had taken over, including poison ivy, catbrier and other vines, trees and bushes. I donned some long rubber gloves, long sleeves and a mask (which didn’t make a lot of sense, but it made me remember not to wipe my face with my gloves) and set out a big garbage can with a bag in it and started pulling that poison ivy! I didn’t want to spray it because we have a ton of lizards and frogs, birds, and our dogs, and so I just pulled it up and stuck it in the can. When I was done, I threw away the gloves, washed my clothes, and managed not to get a rash!
It took Rob and I several days to clear the area, and as we went, we found about 10 dogwood saplings, a couple of ferns and a bunch of rose campion that weren’t there before the take-over. That was a wonderful surprise, as we love dogwoods. We had planted three cousa dogwoods last year next to the fairy garden, and a river birch and ginkgo biloba next to those this spring. We are hoping they will all do well, and the fairy garden will be expanded into the shade these new trees will produce in the coming years.
We were able to get some hydrangeas, azaleas, and hostas and we got them planted. Next I will be installing some drip lines so they will all do well. Each year we will add more and hopefully restore the creeping phlox to its former glory. I love sitting out there in the shade, looking out at the fields, wondering about the boulders. Were they moved there when the land was cleared for the house to be built over 112 years ago?
It will take some time before the picture I have in my mind for that garden will come to life. But that is the remarkable art that is gardening. It is the imagining and painting with live plants, arranging them to create a living and ever-evolving sculpture that looks different from each angle and changes with the seasons. It is the magic I will dabble in, every morning I’m able to, with dirty knees and happy eyes.
Sending thoughts of sunshine your way,
Trish
