Updates along the Yellow Brick Road

You know what I love most about Spring? That the views change daily. Just a bit ago, I posted about repainting the yellow brick road, and the flower bed was dull and gray. Spring popped out some colors and brightened the place up for us in what seemed like overnight.

I also was inspired by my uninspiring, dull photos to do a bit more work in that neglected bed. First of all, by cleaning out the old dead things, like some spireas that were hanging on by a leaf or two, and some overgrown brush that had seen better days. Then, I straightened up the rock border, and added mulch. Dark brown to the raised part of the bed, and regular cyprus to the main part.

After all of that, I still wasn't happy, so made a run to the garden center, and came home with 2 dwarf fruit trees, 2 rose bushes, and a reblooming azalea. I also bought a hydrangea at the grocery store floral department that was on sale for 99 cents because it was done blooming.

I've not had a lot of luck with azaleas in the past, but I have my fingers crossed for this one. And it doesn't really show in the photo, but I"ve got it centered in a shady spot while the roses and fruits are in brighter spots in the bed.

We already have lots of fruit and nut trees in the food forest, but seriously, can you have enough? We added a couple more to the courtyard behind the house too. Home Depot had the small trees for $29. Heck, I think I spend that much a week on fresh fruit already. How wonderful it will be when I can just take a walk in the garden and pick my own fruit instead of having to go shopping for it.

Now, why didn't I do this 20 years ago??? Well, at least it is done now. It's never too late.

We spend a lot of time sitting on the studio's porch and reading, or watching the grand fairies play, so the yellow brick road bed is always right in view. Plus it is one of the first things a visitor sees as they pull into the drive. For some reason, it has always been slightly (some years mostly) neglected.

Not this year! I might even plant some annuals out there, I rarely have, because well, as I said, it hasn't been well cared for. But since I have new trees that will need water, I'll be tending the area better and can keep some flowers watered too.

The shrubs on the outside border of the bed probably need to go. I had hoped they would grow into a hedge to block the view of the highway, but they never get any bigger and just turn brown. Any ideas on what I can plant in their place? We live right on I70 and the turnpike could use a good blocking!

My very favorite thing about this flower bed is how it attracts fairies. This little, curving path is a magnet for sprites, whether they are pretending to be Dorothy Gale, or just skipping along for the fun of it.