When facing an aesthetic choice, I almost always opt for the traditional. David Austin v. Knockout (easy), Vaughan Williams v. Reich (give me a break), old Saab v. new Saab (what are you, blind?) and don’t even get me started about tennis v pickleball. But lately I’ve been staring down a dilemma that makes my head spin. I am speaking of Boxwood v. Holly.
I am saddened to read about boxwood blight, always having thought of it as a sturdy shrub with its beautiful glossy leaves. I am, however, a fan of holly which my late MIL used with joyful abandon and no particular plan so that she could make wonderful Christmas arrangements of holly and ivy.
A cautionary word about rosa rugosa: I put it in the border closest to the road, thinking it could withstand the salty sandy spray from the township ploughs in winter. Boy, could it! It became a tyrant, taking over with its spiny branches which added injury to insult when I tried to dig it up. It took about 5 years to clean up the last of it.
It's looking good, Chris and Laura. Love the bees.
Thanks for the heads-up on the Rugosa. I’m on the fence about it in that spot as its untidy habit may not work in a formal setting. I just want something to complement the “Sarah Bernhardt “ peonies that will be in that space.
I have nothing to add about plants or gardening, but I was SHOCKED when I first encountered "anyhoo" as a SB word!
The fact that “Noob” and “Neocon” are accepted and “Tilth” and “Adit” are rejected makes me question Sam Ezersky’s grasp of the language.
I am saddened to read about boxwood blight, always having thought of it as a sturdy shrub with its beautiful glossy leaves. I am, however, a fan of holly which my late MIL used with joyful abandon and no particular plan so that she could make wonderful Christmas arrangements of holly and ivy.
A cautionary word about rosa rugosa: I put it in the border closest to the road, thinking it could withstand the salty sandy spray from the township ploughs in winter. Boy, could it! It became a tyrant, taking over with its spiny branches which added injury to insult when I tried to dig it up. It took about 5 years to clean up the last of it.
It's looking good, Chris and Laura. Love the bees.
Thanks for the heads-up on the Rugosa. I’m on the fence about it in that spot as its untidy habit may not work in a formal setting. I just want something to complement the “Sarah Bernhardt “ peonies that will be in that space.