Saturday, May 12, 2007

What would you do?


The pink azalea on the right (we are not the ones who initially trimmed it into the shape of a rectangle) hangs about six inches over the walkway (currently obscured by the pile of English Ivy waiting to be taken to the compost center). If we trim the azalea enough to keep the walkway clear, we will be cutting all the leaves off and it will be a big bush of sticks.

So, my options as I see them:
1. Cut it back hard this fall, because then it will come back smaller next Spring? (I am really hoping this is true, but have no research backing this up)
2. Leave it as it is, because it is too pretty to get rid of. Visitors don't mind squeezing between the bushes.
3. Get rid of it. It is too big. Plant a smaller one in its place.
4. Leave it as it is. Dig out the green thing on the other side of the walkway and re-lay the walkway two feet to the left.
5. Pray some gardening genius who also reads my blog (you know who you are) will have a suggestion that trumps all the above.

Please, please share your thoughts.

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Plant another one on the other side, add a wrought iron arch, morning glories and a sign directing people to another door.
Then put a cushy bench there , and spend your mornings there reading and blogging.

HaHa! I'm so practical aren't I?

Unknown said...

Oh, and I forgot to add that I think your signature piece should be your knotted pieces.
It's a classic beauty, modern colors, a good seller for you and there aren't any others on Etsy now, that I've seen.

What do you think?

Steph said...

Great suggestions for the garden! That is an option I had not considered and it is a lovely little quiet nook.

Yes, I am pretty excited about the knotted pieces. That's a good suggestion too.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

msbelle said...

I am here to wish you a Happy Mother's Day!
I love missficklemedia's suggestion on this. Great idea!
Your knotted pieces are quite lovely. I also love your wire pieces to. Heck, I love all your stuff Stephanie!

Felicia said...

Love Miss Fickle's idea! I'd trim it back hard in the fall. Its tough to kill azeleas so they should be fine and come back with flowers.

Felicia
http://www.fluffyflowers.typepad.com/

Steph said...

Thanks, Felicia! That's my preferred option. I am glad to know I can try that and maybe not kill it.

Tracey said...

I do love missficklemedia's idea. I am a HUGE fan of arches and morning glories!

My second suggestion would be to move the little green guy to the left of the walkway and redirect the path. You can replant things along the walkway that will be inviting, but not need as much space. And/Or, install an arch! It is such a pretty pink for an azalea. I would make keeping it a priority. My two cents. :)

sara girlscantell said...

is the azalea too big to move? (in leiu of moving the walkway?) i love how organize azaleas tend to be in form, so severely cutting it seems sad to me.
my other vote is that visitors don't mind squeezing by... because i wouldn't mind one bit.

Unknown said...

Yes, cut it back this fall! It's so lovely, i want one for my garden too!

Steph said...

Thanks everyone! It is really lovely, and I can see it from my window right now - another reason to try to save it.

maia (glassbeach) said...

I vote for cutting it back, too. I think you are supposed to cut back in early fall before the next year's buds appear? I have the blackest thumb in the world, so perhaps a real gardener should confirm this.

Unknown said...

Hi Stephanie!
thanks for your visit....funny there are not too many steph's out there are there??

Keep the azalea, this from Colorado where we just cannot grow those beauties!