Rangoon Creeper

I bought this a couple of years ago and it finally took off this year. I am really pleased at the gorgeous color and the number of blooms. I have it next to my driveway along the fence. My neighbor came over the other day to mention that she has seen people stop to look at it. It's very easy to grow but considered a tropical. We had a warm winter and only a few branches died back. When the blooms first open up they are white and then turn pink and finally red. This would look great hanging overhead.

Japanese Maples

I have a number of Japanese maples in my garden. All except one are in large pots. We have awful soil and after loosing my first one to the clay, I decided to put them in pots. If I move, I will also be able to take them with me. There is something magical about their colors and the shape of their leaves. This photo was taken early this spring in the late afternoon light. The sun hit the leaves and the brillant red just glowed.

Last week I was in Washington DC and just drooled over the japanese maples I saw in the yards. The tour driver was pointing out all of the wonderful architecture of the homes and all I could focus on was the gorgeous deep maroon, weeping maples. I'm sure my friend was tired of my pointing out every one I saw.

Escape

We all have areas of our life that are private. Places where we go either physically or emotionally and exclude others. For me, my garden is the place I escape to. Only there can I escape the stresses and sometimes harsh reality of the world. My backyard is completely fenced in and I jokingly refer to it as a jungle run amok. It's mostly one big planting bed with paths winding through it. It has way too many statues and rocks along with one area of impossibly tall weeds. I like to think I am letting it go so it resembles a natural habitat. Actually it's the last area I usually get to during spring cleanup each year before the weather is unreasonably hot. So year after year, it continues to grow and I continue to ignor it. If I was smart, I would start at that area when the weather was much cooler but as it also needs the most work, I continue in the same order year after year.

When I am back there digging, raking, planting and sweating, nothing else comes to mind but what I am trying to accomplish at that minute. I can get totally lost in the mindless tasks of weeding, pruning and mulching. I don't invite friends to my yard but I occasionally share photos. I can control the look of the photo but letting someone walk through my garden invites their comments and I'm not sure I could face the criticism in this one area of my life. I can see the flaws in my garden but at least there is hope there for the future. Hope that I'll be able to make it perfect some day. I don't want anyone to squash my hope. In the meantime, all I can do is continue working at it, one escape after another.