Seeing through the clutter
-
About every six months or so, I have a near closet meltdown. Let me explain, as I mean this in the most literal way. I am a fairly tidy person until I get to the task of laundry. I don’t mind washing the clothes- it’s the whole putting them away where I run into problems. I always have a hard time fitting stuff in my dresser drawers. I run out of hangers. Instead of getting my step stool out to put away my folded sweaters and sweatshirts, I start throwing them up on the shelves that I can’t reach. Sometimes folded clothes will remain in baskets for a week or longer. Everything winds up in the wrong place, which I will somewhat tolerate until I reach my breaking point, i.e. closet meltdown. Finally, the chaos will catch up with me when I am trying to find a simple white camisole to pair with the grey sweater that I’m sure I just saw. I begin throwing clothes all over my bedroom, screaming, “ahhh… I have nothing to wear!” I know that I’m not alone in this. I also know that there is only one solution- I have to go through it all and reorganize. I will realize that I do not need a stack of old stretched out t-shirts. I will end up with a garbage bag full of items that need to be donated or repurposed. I will refold everything and put it in its proper place. The result will be life-changing and beautiful! You know… until I mess it all up and revisit the same scenario in about six months! So- what does this have to do with gardening? Quite a lot, actually. Recently, I realized that I was doing the same thing with one of my garden beds on the side of the house. Only, instead of addressing it, I have just ignored it completely for the past three years. To take the closet analogy further- this would be the scenario where you just close the door and walk away.
The garden bed that I am referring to is filled with spring blooming bulbs and various shrubs. I occasionally notice things flowering over there, but truthfully the garden bed has always been so overgrown that nothing stood out as spectacular. My neighbor once told me that the previous owner held that space as her pride and joy. It was the only area in the yard that had flowers or anything growing when we moved in. I guess I found that intimidating and felt like I shouldn’t go messing with it. So, I just worked on all the other areas of my yard while this space continued to grow more and more cluttered. Finally, sometime last week I looked at it and decided to take action. Many of the perennials had multiplied so much that they were taking over other plants. The shrubs were overgrown and poorly shaped. There was one plant (lots of tall, thin stems with tiny, daisy-like flowers) that I just didn’t like so I just started pulling it out. All of a sudden, I could see through the space and noticed some real gems in this garden. There are two peony plants. There is some lovely garden phlox in a shade of lavender that was not getting enough sun due to the overgrown shrubs. I love irises, but there were far too many in this small space. I dug many of them up and moved them to other areas of my yard. I weeded the space out and evaluated my new canvas. I decided to add a couple of new plants that should flower in the spring. I am pleased with the results and glad that I decided to dive in and remove the clutter. Like a newly organized closet, the peonies now stand out like a trusty cashmere sweater. After all, what good is having such lovely plants or clothes if you can’t see or find them?
Here are some before and after pictures:
Before- everything was competing and nothing was winning.
Like a cluttered closet, I could not stand to look at this mess!
Once the clutter was removed, I discovered that I had several nice plants here.
Peonies and summer phlox were a few of my happy finds!
Now that there is space for these plants to flourish, I’m sure this garden bed will really stand out next spring!
The corner of this garden has a climbing hydrangea and what I think is called “white summersweet.” Whatever it is- the fragrance is amazing!
Leave a Reply
4 Responses and Counting...
What a difference! It looks great, Jen. Love your closet analogies – it’s all so true!
[Reply]
Ohh… what a difference. I love it! You are working so hard on your garden and it’s awesome!!!
Your closet story is sooo true and so us!! Not to mention names… but I am married to a certain someone that KEEPS everything. Even this Tommy Hilfiger Jean jacket with the American Flag inside. It’s 22 years old. Ugh. If anything… He is a good recycler. Hee Hee.
[Reply]
I absolutely LOVE the thought process behind this!!!! We both know I need to start getting rid of the clutter in my flower beds…thanks for looking at them yesterday and for the advice 🙂
[Reply]
Wow, who would’ve thought that those pretty flowers were in that bed! Looks so much better now!
[Reply]