Big Rain.

5-1-14 SHORT HILLS: We have had probably four or five inches of rain in the last couple of days and a wet spot in the basement. Two days ago, before it deluge started, I started some new plantings in the spot where the oak tree died by the side patio. We had the stump ground down, as I mentioned here, about two years ago. Grass didn’t grow well there last year, and then Maizie the dog decided that the spot was perfect for digging practice. She dug holes, I filled them over and over.

Tired of the repeat drill, I fenced the area prior to shrubbing it. I hope to put in a bunch of Caryopteris, Blue Mist, for late season flowers. The local garden center has it on order, but it’s not here yet. The circle is about eight feet in diameter, so it will take several plants. It offers full sun and is well-drained. I started with two butterfly bushes—Purple Emperor™, Buddleia davidii ‘Pyrkeep’ and Adonis Blue™, Buddleia davidii ‘Adokeep’. I used potting soil to improve the planting media.

I also put two Deutzia, Deutzia x ‘Nikko Blush’ (NA74356), in the boggy area near the south gate. I planted them high, half the root ball in the hole and half above the grade level so they don’t get soggy.

I also got a carload of free top soil from the town yard and filled more of Maizie’s digs—perhaps she was an archeologist in a former life.

New blooms: dogwood.


The archeologist.