On Saturday, my Ginkgo biloba 'Autumn Gold' tree finally got its roots in the ground, replacing the mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin) we removed last October after we failed to halt its decline. I still do a double take every time I look out the kitchen window.
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| According to reports, the tree is slow to establish so getting started with a taller specimen was probably a good thing |
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| Its leaves turn gold in the fall and its said to be relatively pest and disease free |
Back in December, I'd put aside several plants to fill the area around the tree so I was glad to finally get those in the ground as well.
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| I added three dark-blue flowered Agapanthus 'Elaine' purchased by mail order in 4-inch pots in December, which I'd potted up and held for installation under the new tree. I also popped in five small Pelargonium sidiodes divisions I took from plants that had originally grown under the mimosa. |
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| This is one of the two original Pelargoniums I still had growing in this spot. I'm hoping the tiny divisions will develop as nicely. |
That's the good news. The bad news was a discovery made while clearing the south side garden of some excessively exuberant Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) and other weeds yesterday afternoon.
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| It appears the gophers are back! I saw no evidence of gopher activity in this area last year. Even though they cleared out of my garden last year, I suspected they'd be back as my neighbors are regularly plagued by them. |
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| I'd read that gophers don't like succulents but this one seems to have set up operations directly under Agave 'Blue Flame' |
The solar-powered sonic deterrents combined with a granular repellent watered into the soil worked well last year but the sonic devices generally ceased working within a year. As their batteries can't be replaced and as I don't want to continuously funnel plastic into the local landfill, I'm going to try making do with the granular repellent. Maybe the local coyote will help out, assuming he's not put off by the repellent.
For more Wednesday Vignettes, visit Anna at Flutter & Hum.
All material © 2012-2021 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
