May 03 2009
Planting Planning
Since it looks like I’ll be staying here for a while, I’ve decided to try and do something with the backyard and porch. I’m thinking of getting matchstick blinds to put on the sides of the porch. It would make more shade (or I could roll the blinds up if I wanted sun) and it will have the total bonus of shielding the next door dogs and their cement hell from my sight. Also, if the Barkers don’t see the kitties on the porch, there might be less barking.
Theoretically.
I’d like to get something to climb up the trellis, which is also on the Barkers’ side. Extra prettiness, an extra layer between Me and the Barkers. I’m considering orange bougainvillea, because I love it and it doesn’t grow where my sister lives, so she can enjoy it when she’s here. And orange was Frank Sinatra’s favorite color, and it doesn’t get any cooler than Frank. My boss always says, “It’s Frank’s world – we just live in it.”
My next notion was hanging baskets of fuchsias for the front of the porch (facing the lawn), but my sister told me that fuchsias are the Suzy of flowers – showy, pretty, and shade-loving – so they won’t be happy there. But I do want something that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, so any suggestions are welcome. It’s facing east but also has a southern exposure, so there’s sun most of the day.
I’m also considering excavating the flower bed that is bordered with bricks or something and is very overgrown. It’s on the right hand side, next to B’s fence, so there’s a little more shade there. I was thinking of maybe tomatoes and basil, but I’m not sure, so again, I’d love to hear your ideas, either in the comments or at speakallATearthlinkDOTnet.
Finally, I sent a note to my landlords with my rent check this month, asking if they’d consider supplying me with some kind of ground cover for the front lawn. The grass is totally dead and looks like a nervous breakdown. Even if they won’t buy me the plants, I’ll probably end up digging it up. At this point, just mulch would look better, and I can’t bring myself to put another lawn there. They don’t belong in this climate, and I begrudge the water in a potential drought year, even though my actual water usage is only 10% of the bill.