You may find this hard to believe but I love it when things get a little wild. The only problem (well, some people feel it’s a problem) is the line between fun wild and out-of-control wild can sometimes be a tiny bit difficult to recognize. Particularly in a garden. So all day Saturday I spent my time slashing my out-of-control plants back into some semblance of decorum. 
10 giant dracaena spikes that I always forget to take out of the pots during the winter (because I like to watch them blowing in the wind) I had to literally saw out of the soil… and then settle for wimpy little tadpole seedlings.
My banana palm quietly came up with this 10-inch bloom in the garage
The wall of embedded variegated vinca vines with pretty blue flowers that I also neglected to discipline last fall when they were tumbling over their containers like a tsunami? Cut back to the nub … and pulled out of the mortar. Enter mild-mannered pots of crimson geraniums.
My swamp sunflowers that got so unruly they can’t even be staked anymore and have smothered my echinacea and sweet little white daisies?Pulled up by the roots and replaced with Mexican sage & a pomegranate dracaena which is supposed to get 10 feet tall.
Bye-bye swamp things…
Oh rapture! That almost makes up for the golden-yellow masses of sunflowers that won’t be showing up at my window in late September. Almost.
Giant viburnum snowballs will do me for now…
So — the wild fun is temporarily over, and I’m exhausted.
Everything is neat and tidy and in line.
Demure bedding plants (sigh).
I can’t wait for the wild to kick in!
Happy Earth Day!
What Gives 
Good job!
p.s. I would love to be your neighbor. I would be nice to you!
I could use a nice neighbor — that would be SUCH a refreshing change!! (My awful neighbor hates that I plant anything vegetable and always “suggests” that I try the community garden 2 miles away — yeah, right.) But how fun would it be to have YOU nearby!!!
Great Earth Day post Betty. Your patio looks wonderful. I love the banana palm!
I need to repot several of my containers… and have a tomato plant waiting for a pot… yet I sit inside trying to catch up on my blogging even though one never really catches up.
Thanks, Rosie – and oh boy, do I know the whole blogging guilt stuff! Hey, you have my permission to GET OUTSIDE and forget about blogging — it’s spring!! xoxoxo b
😆
So lush and wonderful Betty. A tonic. Spring arrives late on the eastern shore of Nova Scotia. The crocii are all blooming and the grass is slowing starting to green. Hostas are poking up an inch or so … does that tell you how very slow spring is here?
I love how private your yard is with the trees all around.
I love that my yard is private, too –mostly because I can’t stand my neighbors, and how sad is that??! I’ve never lived anywhere more affluent (it’s not our house, it belongs to the university my husband works for) … nor anywhere more unfriendly. Doesn’t that just figure?? But I’m really grateful for such a pretty place to live … and I still try to make it as pretty as possible!!
Beautiful garden, Betty. But next time you need some serious weeding done, call me. I’m rakish, don’t forget. Rakish. Get it?
Do you get it, or not?
Oh boy … you are the first RAKE I think of when I see some unkempt weeds! Happy spring, BB!
I love this time of year. I am blessed to be in Florida at my condo where I am not suppose to have to work in the yard, but I still can’t resist getting in the dirt!! I came to Florida late so I could have all my winter clean up done [in OC,MD area] before I left. It is so satisfying after a long day to see the end results as your pictures show of your home. I love the Elephant Ears at your entrance!! If you are north anytime this summer I would love for you to visit me at the beach. If you only make it to the Philly area I would also love to meet up.
This year we will definitely do it! I totally can relate to the joy of having worked all day in the garden and finally — exhausted! — getting to look back at what you’ve done and see that lo, it is finished and it is good! My elephant ears I’ve shared with all my friends, so they all remain in their yards, too – and I love the idea that I’ve had these plants for over 12 years!! That’s a great feeling! xoxoox b
It’s not really our house (belongs to the university) — but I do love it this time of year. In about a month, it’ll be way too hot to even think about tea — but right now?? heaven!! thanks for the comment!
That looks so inviting! Invite me over…we’ll sit on the patio…gazing at your lovely flowers…have a couple of blueberry martinis and then have an adventure!
The minute you come back from Philly, you should hop in your car and come visit!! (I have an amazing blueberry lemonade cocktail — you’d love it!)) And I know you’re up for an adventure!!
nothing says spring like a few pumpkins!!! it looks gorge, baby!
Well – my garden only gets really nuts by the fall, hence the pumpkins. But I have to admit, I have been known to keep pumpkins all winter long — you know, it’s an ORANGE thang!
Beautiful! Love the elephant ears in the front!
You need to come over and visit again — but then, I heard YOUR house is amazing — I want to visit!
What a lovely brick terrace you have Betty! Very inviting and charming. Well done! Looks like a great place to have a pot of tea and catch up on some reading.