No, not that kind of bank. (For details of the flowers be sure to click on the pictures.)It's the kind that borders the ditch along the blacktop in front of our house. It's pretty much the only partially sunny part of our yard.
Here St Francis stands in the snow in our woods with his back to the road. Of course, you can't see the road because the bank drops off several feet.
In balmier times.As you can see, the morning commuters view of the "weedpatch along the road" left a little to be desired.
In the fall of 2007, I cut back the elderberry and honeysuckle. Then the bank got burned. I had already purchased some native wildflower seeds from Prairie Moon, a local specalist. Raking, then scattering and tamping the seeds, I hoped the spring melt wouldn't wash them all into the ditch. There was no way for me to tell that spring as to what came up. I couldn't tell the weeds from the flowers. So I waited till the maze reached about 6-8 inches in June and then weed whacked everything down to about 3 inches. Now my precious wildflowers would have a fighting chance. The bulbs I had planted, of course, bloomed that first spring. The rest would have to wait another year before blooming.... if they survived!The results in 2008 & 2009
The north ditch is still a work in progress.
St. Francis: "Good job there Troutbirder. I always wanted to live in a jungle."
Living among the "green" is a good thing, Francis. Life is good!
ReplyDeleteLovely flowers! Unfortunately nothing I've ever planted here has grown, although our ligustrums are still alive (although they're far from thriving.)
ReplyDeleteTell St. Francis to chill. ;)
The bulbs are beautiful and I especially like that patch of golden rudbeckia.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Good for you, TB. I feel that one should be generous with one's plantings.....some for your own enjoyment and some for others to enjoy. You get to feel good several ways and that IS a good thing.
ReplyDeleteLove, Lo
Very nice! You did good.
ReplyDeleteThe arrival of spring will be welcome, yes? :)
ReplyDeleteNot only is St. Francis the patron saint of animals, he is the patron saint of the environment. I think he has blessed this environment, along with your help, abundantly.
ReplyDeleteIt sure is starting to look pretty TB. A few mor years and it will all be covered with flowers.
ReplyDeleteOh, I don't know... I think Francis looks quite happy there! And to think... won't be long and it will all be in full bloom again! Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteGreat work, troutbirder. Btw: Gardening is Always a work in progress, don't you think?? :-) (the thought makes ME happy!)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea for the bank along the road, TB--I sure would love to commute by there when all your flowers are in bloom. You are making your world more beautiful for everyone. I also enjoyed your birding pix from the previous post--especially that fantastic shot of an Evening Grosbeak, Thank you.
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