Looking Backward...
And Forward
November - December 2013
A year ago the garden was devastated by Hurricane Sandy. With lots of hard work, most of it has been redone, but not by me alone. Mother Nature has done her part to see that many plants have survived to once again become established in the garden. Shrubs that were cut down to the ground are showing some new growth from the base. They may take many years to reach their former splendor, but I can wait! Seeds that must have laid dormant in the soil for many years, suddenly sprouted like long lost friends. Other plants left seeds to sprout in their place. Being an overprotective garden mother, I guarded those precious seedlings. Some I transplanted into more consolidated groups, while others I marked and allowed to grow in place.
The huge foliage of nicotiana grows upward to over 5'! Late in the season, white fragrant flowers appear. This plant was in my garden ten years ago. The seeds were brought up to the surface during a tropical storm.
This ilex was planted nearly 30 years ago. I cut most of it down and will trim the remaining branches back in the spring to form a better shaped shrub. it will take years to reach it's original height and fulness, but I can wait.
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Many of my hydrangeas have re-sprouted from their roots after their dead foliage was cut down to the ground. Hibiscus 'Diana', which is sterile, seemed to be trying to make an appearance in the fall. After this winter's record breaking temperatures, only time will tell how many plants will live to see another spring!
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