Mulch

Finished off the pinestraw on the back right corner.

Herbicide

Finished off the other half of the yard with RoundUp.

Planting

Moved the two hydrangeas from the helipad to the side of the garage.

Herbicide

Did half the garden with RoundUp again.

Planting

Planted (and mulched) the remaining 9 Muhlenbergia capillaris on the right corner near the golf course.

Potting

Potted up the Carolina Silverbell and Yucca from J&P outlet and the Anise from Nurseries Caroliniana.

Planting

Planted the Old Blush Rose that Betsy gave me and the Ginger I pulled up from Willow Lake.

Planting

This morning we almost finished the area between the golf course and the croquet lawn. We planted 3 Clinopodium georgianum and 3 Serissas (Snow Rose, Variegated and Variegated Pink). We also planted the Clethra alnifolia near the corner of the raised bed where it drains out.

Planting

Planted the 4 Junipers from McCorkles as a continuation of the other 8, 1 one the retaining wall side to make a run of 5 and three on the opposite side (making 7). Also put the second Variegated Chinese Privet on the retaining wall side to balance the one on the other side. Since they are staggered, I will eventually move the Swift Creek to provide a third. Planted the Miss Jilene Hibiscus from Nurseries Caroliniana next to the Saucer Magnolia.

Potting

X Amarcrinum from Brent and Beckys - potted until spring.

Planting

Bulbs arrived from Brent and Beckys. Planted 12 groups of 3 bulbs of St Keverne Daffodil, 12 groups of 3 bulbs of Tete a Tete Daffodil and 4 bulbs of Golden Bells Daffodil in the raised perennial bed. Then planted the remaining 14 St Keverne in the courtyard and the cutting bed. Also the remaining Golden Bells, about 6 in the courtyard and the 14 Tete a Tete in the cutting bed.

Planting

Planted 3 groundcover Phlox that I removed from the Blue Heron Garden as well as 2 Society Garlic - all in the octagon perennial bed. Also the Amarylis from Blue Heron in the nursery/cutting garden bed. Betty gave me an "unknown" so I put it in the nursery bed too.

Camellia

The Pink Snow Sasanqua Camellia is in bloom.

Herbicide

One complete application of RoundUp - took 2 gallons.

Planting

Planted the 6th privet in front of the electrical box. Also the Craibiodendron yunnanensis by the mud room window, Yellow Berried Nandina by the screen porch, Leprechaun Leucothoe by the pool fence and the Royal Princess Nandina by the pool equipment.

Hardscape

Installed the driveway path lights.

Mow

Edged the front lawn between the grass, the drive and the path for the first time.

Potting

Potted the Green Beauty Boxwood I purchased yesterday. I'm going to try and pom-pom it!

Planting

I planted the Grace Hendricks Phillips Boxwood by the helipad.

Planting

Planted the three dwarf conifers that I got at Nurseries Caroliniana in the Octagon Raised Bed: Spirited, Tansu and Verdonii. Also planted the Little Richard Abelia and the Cameo Flowering Quince.

Hardscape

Had the front lawn curb installed.

Planting

Planted the Hardy Ageratum between the Dogwood and the Magnolia (where I don't mind if it spreads). Also planted the Variegated Chinese Privet next to the Foster's Holly behind the Juniper groundcover. Installed the pansies in the front island bed.

Mulch

Covered the area between the croquet lawn and the octagaonl bed with pinestraw. Also the area between the octagonal bed and the fence and the area on the lower side between the silt fence and the house. Had to stop at the start of the pool fence on the bottom side because there are still too many weeds.

Drainage

Where we had not covered the area adjacent to the drainage trenches with pinestraw we got silt in the trench. I scraped all the gravel and silt out again and sifted the gravel before putting some of it back in. Started Wednesday and finished Thursday.

Planting

Moved the Astilbe to the other side of the courtyard - it was getting too much sun.

Herbicide

Did a full circuit with RoundUp - things are getting better because it only took 3 gallons.

Planting

Planted 8 Red Hot Pokers that Marcia gave me - 3 in the octagonal perennial bed and 5 in the nursery bed by the conservatory.

Planting

Planted the Astilbe in the courtyard.

Potting

Potted some cuttings of Vitex trifolia and Lantana. Got everything ready for cold weather and moved into the conservatory. Dug up the houseplants from outside and potted them: Schefflera, Maidenhair Ferns, Bird's Nest Fern.

Mow

Mowed front, croquet, pool and courtyard.

Drainage

Finished the drainage trenches on either side of the raised perennial bed and filled with gravel. Just the end of the top one needs to be cleared and gravelled once we know we have the silt under control.

Planting

By the pool fence, on the inside, we planted the Heavenly Bamboo and Inkberry from McCorkles. Also the Golden Gem Holly was planted near the Chinaberry and the Golden Euonymus was planted outside the pool fence near the right back corner.

Potting

Potted up the Ilex x 'Rock Garden' that I bought yesterday and also the Foxtail Fern.

Planting

Planted 3 Muhlenbergia of the 12 I got yesterday, as well as 3 more Agastache, a Euphorbia and 18 Liripe in the perennial bed. Dug up the Purple Pixie Loropetalum to move it - put it in a pot for now.

Potting

Potted up the Salvia Mesa Scarlet and Penstemon I bought at Laymans, plus a cutting from the Variegated Mexican Bush Sage, the cutting of Tibouchina grandiflora that Betty gave me, a second Daisy Gardenia from the front that is suffering, the Goldmound Spirea from the front (also suffering) and the August Beauty Gardenia from the center of the three along the pool fence that may be too wet. Lynda gave me a Brugmansia on Tuesday and I potted that one up. I stepped up the remaining Ben Franklin tree too.

Planting

Planted 5 new plants from Laymans in the perennial bed: Phlox David, Phlox Franz Schubert, Gaura Pink Fountain, Gaura Passionate Rainbow, Gaura Geyser White.

Planting

Finally got some plants into the raised perennial bed: Eurya, Dwarf Pagoda Holly, Dwarf Hinoki Cypress, 36 Variegated Lirope, Veronica Goodness Grows and Sunny Border Blue, Nepeta, Russian Sage, Montauk Daisy, Pink Grapefruit Yarrow, 6 Agastache. Also mulched most of the bed.

Hardscape

Emptied the remaining bags of composted manure and top soil into the raised perennial bed.

Drainage

Started a trench along the top edge of the raised perennial bed. Slow going!

Planting

Put the first plants in the raised bed - 6 Soft Touch Holly surrounding the urn.

Planting

Planted the Autumn Chiffon Azalea inside the pool fence (to keep the deer away) not far from the Tea Plant and behind the Gardenias. Also planted the Inkberry Holly that I got from Woodlanders behind the pool fence along the golf course and the Woodlanders Hardy Bottlebrush between the pool fence and the raised perennial bed.

Herbicide

Spread a pre-emergent herbicide on the front lawn only.

Mow

Mowed the croquet lawn, pool lawns and front lawn.

Potting

Potted up the Euonymus, Isu and Golden Gem Hollies into 3 gallon pots, plus stepped up the Agapanthus to a 2 gallon.

Planting

Planted the Irises that Ruth gave me along the property line behind the Foster's Holly. Also mulched the area along the property line past the Irises.

Propagation

Took cuttings from the Pineapple Sage that Betty gave me and potted some. Also rooting some in water. Potted the division of the Variegated Alstroemeria that she gave me also.

Herbicide

Another day of weedkilling - pulled and Roundup for the whole garden except inside the fence and along the fenceline with the golf course.

Planting

Planted the Ogon Spirea and the Neon Flash Spirea along the golf course border in the back.

Hardscape

Added bags of top soil and composted manure to the raised perennial bed.

Planting

Planted the white Autumn Angel Azalea in the urn in the middle of the raised bed. Also planted 6 Ever Red Loropetalums and 3 Carolina Moonlight Loropetalums along the pool fence by the golf course.

Planting

Put the 4 Firepower Nandinas along the corner of the croquet lawn by the Loquat and planted the Kaleidoscope Abelia along the golf course.

Hardscape

We went to the McCorkles sale this morning. We also finished the raised perennial bed by adding the wood supports all around. We put in bricks to stand the urn on and then put the urn in place in the center of the bed.

Mow

Mowed the pool lawns, front and croquet lawns.

Hardscape

Built the raised bed for perennials between the croquet lawn and the pool fence. All the timbers are in place but need to be fixed together.

Planting

Planted the Swamp Hibiscus that Betty gave me - near the dogwood.

Drainage

I dug out the edge of the driveway from the gatepost to the curb and put in gravel and then covered with pinestraw. I also covered the other side that we had not finished two weeks ago.

Mow

I mowed all the grass this morning except the courtyard and the spare stuff on Lot 16.

Mulch

I spread the pine straw all along the north boundary, covering our drainage 'indentation'.

Drainage

We took up half of the hook on the silt fence on the north side - to help get the water out on the golf course instead of bursting the fence and sending it across the garden. We filled in our previous trench so it is more of an indentation than a trench. We cut down the remaining tall weeds that were on that corner and respread the wheat straw to try and prevent silt damage on the golf course. We also repaired our berm where the water had come over.

Hardscape

Steve and I decided to edge the area between the golf course and the plants by the croquet lawn because there needs to be a block to stop water from running back on. Plus we need a barrier for the golf course Bermuda. So this morning we started work and got just over halfway.

Potting

Had to take out the Daisy Gardenia in front that had previously been replanted - it was still yellowing so I have put it in a pot to monitor it better. Also took the plantlets off the black stemmed Elephant Ears and potted them up for Spring.

Herbicide

Sprayed the whole yard with RoundUp (where needed - and it was very needed!). As of September 15, those weeds I sprayed are finally dead - it took a while.

Hardscape

Finished the potting bench we've been working on for a week - and put it in place next to the conservatory.

Planting

Steve dug a hole near the side swale for the Swamp Hibiscus that Betty gave me.

Mulch

Filled in the rivulets behind the garage and then covered with pine straw. Only the area for perennials, the back area between the golf course and the lawn and the right corner still to do.

Planting

Huge rain last night - need some modification to the silt fence - it burst on the back left corner and I had to replant the Canyon Creek Abelia.

Mow

Mowed Bermuda, front, croquet and pool plus did the strip by the side of the driveway.

Drainage

Put gravel in down the left side of the driveway and used the dirt taken out to fill some of the rivulets in the back. Then covered with pinestraw.

Mow

Steve mowed down the weeds by the croquet lawn and golf course edge and then mowed the courtyard.

Planting

Canyon Creek Abelia and Golden Anniversary Abelia were planted near the golf course.

Hardscape

The guys came and installed the second silt fence on the south side of the lot.

Planting

Finally got the Abelias in the ground between the golf course and the croquet lawn. I planted Silver Anniversary, Confetti and Rose Creek this morning but the ground was too hard for the Canyon Creek and Golden Anniversary - we'll get the pick out tonight. In addition I put 3 Gulf Stream Nandinas near the Palm and the Skinner's Banana Shrub replaced the Ben Franklin tree on the side of the croquet lawn.

I had to replant one of the Daisy Gardenias by the turret - it had a lot of yellow leaves so I figured maybe there was too much mortar near the planting site. I raised it up a little and added more compost.

In the back around the small retaining walls I built a while ago I planted 5 Purple Hearts from cuttings that Ruth gave me. I had rooted them in water. Plus a Daylily and 2 perennial Hibiscus.

Mow

I mowed the front lawn and the Bermuda this morning.

Mow

Steve mowed the croquet lawn and the pool lawn this morning. The objective was to cut the corners of the croquet lawn and use the spare turf to fill in the bare spots on both the croquet lawn and the pool lawn.

Planting

Finally planted one Ternstroemia and the Wisteria that I am trying to tree form. Also started to plant the stuff I bought at Nurseries Caroliniana on Thursday:
Variegated Gardenia
Variegated Cleyera
Variegated Mexican Sage
Citrus Swizzle Forsythia
Ogon False Holly
Silver Dust Tea

Herbicide

Weeded the Bermuda by hand this morning and then a full tour of the beds with RoundUp this afternoon.

Herbicide

Put down weedcloth along the silt fence line above the garage.

Mow

Mowed the front lawn, croquet lawn and pool area on the mid setting.

Planting

Planted the Jade Snowflake Chinaberry that I bought at Nurseries Caroliniana on Friday.

Herbicide

Weeded the croquet lawn before mowing

Herbicide

Not exactly herbicide but weeding - hand pulled all the weeds in the front and the croquet lawn + half the Bermuda. It was a good time to do it after all the rain we had yesterday and last night.

Mow

Mowed down the weeds between us and the golf course because they were spreading into the turf and seeding.

Drainage

Had a silt fence installed on the north property boundary to try and slow the water run off from the empty lots - and to help create a better weed barrier.

Planting

Finally planted the Dogwood today, as well as the striped Cannas I brought back from North Carolina yesterday.

Mow

Mowed the croquet lawn. Strimmed the courtyard for the first time - easier than trying to get the mower in.

Planting

The Ben Franklin tree couldn't take the wind - lost all his leaves - so I have moved him to what is hopefully a more sheltered spot by the gas meter and guest bedroom window.

Mow

Mowed the front lawn and around the pool.

Mulch

Pinestraw along the path by the side of the conservatory. Had 50 more bales delivered - that brings us to 220 total.

Herbicide

Sprayed again all the way around the front and back. Started to attack the weeds and scrub on the right boundary.

Mulch

Redistributed all the pine straw that had got washed away in the huge rain we had on Friday. Of course it doesn't all go back where it came from so we need yet more.

Drainage

Dug a trench along the Mary Nell line and then built a berm in the Loquat corner. Edged the trench with some brick and stone. Spread a line of compost bags in what will be the perennial garden to start to create a swale there too.

Planting

After all the heavy rain, the soil is easier to dig again. We got two of the last three large pots in the ground, the Loquat and the Mediterranean Palm, as well as three Gumpo Azaleas.

Planting

Rained on and off but still got a few more in the ground:
Mary Nell #3
Purple Pixie
Allan Armitage
Purple Iris from Ruth
Purple Oxalis from Ruth
Bottlebrush

Mulch

Pinestraw around the A/C equipment and the rest of the pool flume area, plus around the conservatory. Then around the side of the garage (after spreading 10 bags of soil and compost). Made sure the foundation area is covered all the way around so that the pest guys can do their magic on Thursday - the final treatment.

Insecticide

Sprayed the Itea, Guava, Fothergilla and Hibiscus with systemic herbicide after seeing evidence of chewing.

Drainage

Made a spillway to drain water away from the A/C equipment and behind the conservatory. Also smoothed out some pooling in the flume by the side of the pool.

Planting

Planted the Spirea Anthony Waterer near the Acoma Crape Myrtle and then planted the Saucer Magnolia.

Hardscape

Extended the rock bed for the Sedums back to the 3 tiers of retaining wall by the helipad. Added the green rocks I had to buy to complete it.

Herbicide

Complete circuit of RoundUp.

Mulch

Added pinestraw to the pool flume area

Mow

Everything except the courtyard - first time for Bermuda and the pool patio lawns.

Hardscape

Built the pool curved wall. Added a few more stones to the 3 mini retaining walls by the helipad.

Potting

Repotted the Golden Curls Willow cutting I brought back from the Blue Heron House.

Hardscape

Added another wall to the series of retaining wall by the helipad.

Planting

Planted the large red-leaf Cannas I pulled up from the Blue Heron house and also the Wyoming Dwarf Cannas:
3 large and 1 dwarf in the corner of the pool fence by the pool equipment,
2 large and 2 dwarf (clumps) on the opposite corner,
1 dwarf each between the Elephant Ears and the Adagio Miscanthus on either side of the Hardy Banana
and 3 dwarf to the right of the porcupine grass

Planting

Planted the six remaining August Beauty Gardenias, three on the golf course side of the pool fence and three by the pool equipment. Also planted the Hakuro Willow, Swift Creek Privet, Dwarf Wax Myrtle and Sizzling Pink Loropetalum on the golf course side of the pool fence.

Planting

Planted three Boxwoods and one August Beauty Gardenia around the pool equipment.

Drainage

Created a flume by the side of the pool to drain away towards the pool equipment.

Potting

Repotted the Lemon, Calamondin, Cavendish Banana, Firecracker Plant, Aloes, (lots of babies), Shrimp plant and Dipladenia.

Potting

Repotted all the little Agastache grown from seed, a Nandina from the AANC plant swap, Mint (also from the plant swap) and 3 Cannas grown from seed.

Mulch

Pinestraw inside the fence on the screen porch side, all the way around.

Hardscape

Built two small retaining walls around the brick wall by the helipad.

Herbicide

RoundUp all along the back between the lawn and the pool fence.

Mulch

Pinestraw along the back between the golf course lawn and the fence.

Hardscape

Rained heavily this morning - no planting today - all I did was move 2 bales of pinestraw - but I did put all the remaining plant labels in the ground which had been softened by the rain!

Mow

Steve did the pool edges for the first time, I did the front lawn and croquet lawn.

Planting

Planted the Flying Dragon and Privet in front, then the White Chiffon Rose of Sharon. By the pool 3 Adagio Miscanthus and 4 Perennial Hibiscus with another Adagio by the golf course.

Planting

Planted the Giant Sequoia and the Spirea in front of it. Also finished the row under Steve's office window adding a Podocarpus and Globosa. Which meant we could also repot the Monterey Cypress into the large urn. Put the Needlepoint Holly near the pool corner outside the fence and the two spare Carissas in the bump that will eventually contain the purple Loropetalums. Also put 2 cannas in around the pool.

Mulch

Pinestraw around the croquet lawn where the Mary Nell's and Loropetalums are - plus around the corner to the golf course edge.

Herbicide

RoundUp around the croquet lawn and generally in the front beds.

Planting

Planted the Fothergilla and Goshiki and then the Franklin Tree - but put it in the second Mary Nell hole by accident so had to dig it up and start again. Planted the Mary Nell since the hole was there.

Tried to plant the Curly Privet, Beehive Holly and one Podocarpus under Steve's office window - awfully wet - topped off with more soil but I think I'll probably have to take them out again. (As of July 29 - so far so good).

Drainage

Huge rain again last night undercut the Mary nell and Sizzling Pink planted yesterday. Spent a lot of time trying to redirect water along the croquet lawn topside - dug a trench - and put down pinestraw bales along the croquet lawn side of the fence to prevent the rivers running down to the pool.

Planting

Rain last night so a good chance to dig some holes:

Bald Cypress
2 Sizzling Pink Loropetalum (along the North East property line)
Mary Nell
Kalmia
Camellia Pink Snow

Planting

Tuesday so pool test and shopping this morning. A hot and muggy but cloudy day. Steve brought back the Weigela which had outgrown its pot (from the Blue Heron house) so I planted that plus Concorde Barberry, Itea, Variegated Osmanthus and Rose Glow Barberry.

Planting

Dug holes and planted alone - the plants that are suffering and need to get in the ground:
Miss Huff Lantana
Ogon Spirea
Goldmound Spirea
Butterfly Bush
Black Dragon
Gold Mop
Lime Glow Barberry
Also decided where a lot of other things should go - so more planting to do tomorrow.

Mow

July 4th on Day 19 - Ruth and Ken coming so spent the morning cleaning up. Then it was cloudy and we were tired on Sunday so I mowed the front and croquet lawns for the first time and that was it.

Planting

4 of the 5 Ligustrums to hide the electrical box were planted today - number 5 has to wait until the dratted blackberry weed dies. (Later the 5 became 6 because it seemed like there was a hold on the front right corner.) Also the Fringetree, Acoma, Chindo and Guava were planted.

Mulch

More pinestraw around the front.

Planting

Hard work planting today - Edgeworthia, Sangko Kaku, Japanese Maple (the one on the north east property line corner), Anise, Duet Beautyberry behind the garage, Tango Weigela in front.

Planting

The Giant Elephant Ears were pushing themselves out of the pot so I split them in three and planted around the pool - touch and go for survival for them. (Despite losing all their leaves and drooping like crazy, they have survived and are flourishing.) I planted a Rosemary under Shishi so that I can have something close to the kitchen.

Planting

More decisions. Planted the raised bed by the conservatory with the Alstroemeria from the other house, plus Phoenix Fire Daylily - which looks to be at death's door - and a Rosemary. Also put Camellia Edithae by the side of the garage and planted the Sky Pencil on that side. In front of the electric panels I planted 2 Osmanthus (Fudingzhu and Aurantiacus).

Hardscape

Steve went to church with the travellers. We made the raised bed around the conservatory and moved some pots around to try and decide where things should go.

Hardscape

We made a rock garden for future Sedums using the quartz we have found in the garden and the green rocks and pebbles I bought before we moved.

Planting

A Saturday so I got three big holes dug in the front for the Fosters Holly, Kaizuka and Little Gem. Planted a row of 3 Knockout Roses at the same time.
Then in the back I finished off the helipad with Endless Summer, 2 Elephant Ears, Acanthopanax and 2 Cordyline.
Tier 2 got a hole for a Variegated Cleyera, and I planted the Mine No Yuki Camellia, Shisihi, Vitex Trifolia and Kumson Forsythia.

Planting

Today was a good day - felt like I got a lot done - planted the Indian Hawthorns around the pool - had an inspiration and I'm going to put Red Leaf Cannas behind. Also put in the Dwarf Bald Cypress, Variegated Boxwood, Alberta Spruce and Midnight Hydrangea. They will look good with the Purple Leaf Cordylines and the Acanthopanax.

In the cutouts in the Bermuda lawn I'm going to do 3 purple Loropetalums with light green in front and then 3 Gardenias with Barberry in front. Maybe some green loropetalums in between. (Modified to green Loropetalums at the ends and water-loving plants in between. Barberry may become Purple Pixie Loropetalum.)

Planting

Planted the rest of the Soft Touch Hollies along the pool and the remaining three Burfords outside the pool fence.

Planting

Planted a few of the Soft Touch Hollies and four Dwarf Burfords around the pool - first swim in the pool was a major event.

Mulch and Herbicide

No planting - had a coffee with Ruth instead! Did lots of pinestraw and roundup in the front.

Planting

Planted the rest of the front of the house with 2 remaining Loropetalums (Plum Delight) and 3 Dwarf Burfords. Added 8 Junipers.

Planting

Around the turret and the front of the house - 4 Daisy Gardenias, 3 Carissa Hollies, 4 Helleri, 5 Nandina, 3 Dwarf Gardenias, 3 Variegated Dwarf Gardenias, 8 Liriope.

Planting

In the morning we did the front island with 3 Purple Diamond Loropetalums, 13 Dwarf Gardenias, 5 Liriope.
In the evening we planted sod - all around the edges and at the front to help prevent erosion.

Planting

We got a croquet lawn and prep work for the rear by the golf course, plus the front lawn got put back in place. Also the pool edges of lawn were completed.

In the morning I went to the McCorkles sale and bought 80 more plants.
In the afternoon I installed the sod in the courtyard.
Steve and I got the front beds before the gate posts done in the evening:
5 Helleri Holly on each side (lost three on the mail box side)
3 Schillings Yaupon on one side and 5 on the other
2 Dwarf Burford Hollys on one side and 4 on the other
1 Hakuro Willow.

Drainage

No planting today. Torrential rain last night washed half the front lawn down the hill and made everywhere else too wet to work. It didn't help that the gutters were up but the downspouts not connected, so the water all concentrated in several places.

Planting

No planting by me but the front lawn sod went in and I did lots of planning. Plus the fence work got started.

Planting (and some Hardscape)

Planted the Cassia (to stave off imminent death), Sky pPencil 1 and the first Loropetalum Plum Delight bright and early. Dug a couple more holes before I was feeling it too much. Then in the evening we finished the raised bed in the courtyard and planted that.

Planting

At the beginning of the day we had a raised bed in the courtyard that was almost ready to plant and various parts laid out. Things got a bit messed up when the contractors had to dig trenches for the gutter drainage pipe.
By the end of the day the raised bed was planted - but you can't see the plants so well because I had to move a lot of plants from the other side in order to get the raised bed set over there.
Japanese Maple Atropurpurea got a home, as did the Dwarf River Birch - the only reason that they were the first was that they had suffered so badly in the pots and the sun that they were doubtful for survival.

Hardscape

Raised bed completed for the garage wall in the courtyard.