Home of the Practically Perfect Pink Phlox and other native plants for pollinators

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Dear Mr I, While I am in Malvern Will You~


Please mow the lawnettes, but do not mow down anything that looks like a flower! See above photo. That's Western Daisy and it's a wonderful native that I am trying to get established as a lawn replacement. That should make you very happy, since mowing isn't on your list of favs!


Finish staining the fence. I planned to finish this past weekend, but the rains were more severe then I thought they would be. It's really a ton of fun and you will feel so good when you stand back and look at that pop of purple. Trust me!



Keep the bird baths filled and the feeders stocked with food. I know it's spring, but the rains might have made finding food difficult, especially for the hummers.


Check on the containers in the garden. I've asked Claire to take care of all the containers grouped near the house, but she won't think to look in the borders and beds. Please remind her to use the stock tank water since we are on water restriction from the flooded treatment plant. There's plenty of water
to take care of the plants!

Take photos of the gardens. Penstemon X is about to bloom and I don't want to miss them. I love them dearly...you will see why in a few days. They are the sweetest flower and they have seeded everywhere. The bees flock to them.Walk in the garden and visit the flowers. ...I noticed that Ox-Eye Daisies are open for business and they love attention. Just some nice words to them and any other flowers that are blooming.


Remember to take time to smell the peonies. You will love the rose scent from General McMahon. You might want to get out there soon~ his bloom is short lived.

...and promise me, that you'll have a nice conversation at least twice a day with Coal. He was not happy to see the suitcase and he will need a little extra attention.

Have fun my dear, it's going to be great bicycling weather!

Love and kisses,
gail

Malvern, UK Blogger Meet

35 comments:

  1. Dear Gail....I can without doubt relate to this post. I wish I lived along the road, I would gladly tend your plants and have the occasional chat.

    Have a wonderful trip.....safe journey. C U when you are home.

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  2. Dear Gail, I am sure he will gladly doo all this and more for you while you are away. I would take photos for you and walk in the gardens talking to the plants and flowers. Especially those peonies and daisys!

    Have a great and safe trip.

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  3. I hope Mr I gets that Huckleberry Finn feel and finishes your fence. Coal will get plenty of attention I am sure he will ask for it. Your garden will be as happy to see you return as Mr I. Bon Voyage. Take copious notes and photos so we can see what all goes on and meet all the wonderful people.

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  4. I love Lisa's vision of Mr. I as Huckleberry Finn! lol, or rotfl actually. The thought of him doing any of these things is pretty funny, but he might surprise us. At least everything is well watered outside. These men might be latent gardeners when we are not around to supervise. Onward! :-)
    xo,
    Frances

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  5. Frances, Lisa, Cheryl and Beckie, Mr I has already surprised me...he asked me to cancel Claire and he is taking over watering. He is very concerned about the overuse of water...Nashville has water restriction right now! Gail

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  6. Mr I sounds a real traesure. I could never get NAH to do all of that for me whilst I'm away.

    Except cuddle Coal more. Our 2 always look bereft when that suitcase appears.

    Have a safe journey!

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  7. Husband's have a knack for surprising us in our absence. Have a fun and SAFE trip!

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  8. Lol, I've left a similar list for Mr. P here, while I'm in Oregon, especially "don't mow anything down that looks like a flower":) I know you'll miss seeing some of the first blooms, like that of Penstemon X, but you are going to see some fantastic blooms in Malvern. Wish I were going with you and Frances! Have a wonderful time!

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  9. Have a wonderful time in Malvern, Gail! I just found out yesterday that Nashville got blasted by that ghastly rain and flooding. (I'd been frantically gardening and on deadline and was ignoring the news, and was shocked to say the least when I checked in with Father yesterday!) I'm so glad your garden and property made it through! And I'm so jealous of your oxeye daisies, I want them so and have never been able to get them established.

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  10. OFB, Ox-Eye is a weed here! I am sure i can share some gail

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  11. Gail, you sound just like Tom Sawyer sweet talking his pals into painting the fence.

    I'm sure Mr I will take good care of your garden but I would be willing to wager that he won't be doing much talking to your plants:)

    Love the idea of replacing the lawn with daisies.
    Marnie

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  12. Your list is a long one, but sure to provoke some enjoyable moments for the industrious Mr. I. ;-) Have a ball at Malvern!

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  13. I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip!

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  14. Have fun! Make lots of phtos! Can't wait to here about your trip...

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  15. Whew! That's a long "honey do" list!-- Randy

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  16. Thank you all for well wishes~and let's see what Mr I really does do. gail

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  17. Gail, I'm so glad you get to escape some of the flooding and enjoy Malvern in the spring. Safe travels, and I'm sure Mr. I will take care of things back home.~~Dee

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  18. Oh, I do hope you have a wonderful time in Malvern and that your garden weathers your absence :-)

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  19. Gail, A very sweet honey-do list, for sure. I hope your trip is fabulous and that you'll keep your camera close at hand.

    Just have to tell you my PPPP has its first blossoms. I'm psyched!

    "Lawnettes" may I borrow this? It's perfect!

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  20. Grace, I am so glad it's blooming for you!...and yes use lawnettes... but the credit goes to Pam/Digging for the term! gail

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  21. Ah bless - what a perfectly lovely post.
    See you soon
    K

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  22. Gail - You may come back home and find out that Mr. I has "found his calling" in the garden. He may take over and start deciding what to plant and where to plant. Be careful what you wish for! LOL Just kidding...Have a great time!

    Cameron
    PS I doubt we'll be at the same airports since we're leaving next week for France. So, it may be awhile before we're back in the realm of blogging at the same time. You and Frances have a blast! :-)

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  23. Wow! Those Aster-like blooms look lovely. Nice to see that bees are visiting them and I'm sure Mr I would be glad to take care of your wonderful garden. Happy Vacation!

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  24. Nice pics, Gail. Have a wonderful time! I want to hear all about it in Buffalo.

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  25. Hope Malvern is as wonderful in person as it is in your dreams, Gail!

    How ironic to have no water to use because of the floods. Wish better days for all.

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

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  26. Gail I'm glad you mentioned that peony, I knew there were some that smelled like roses. Have fun in Malvern!

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  27. I'm so excited for you! I'm sure everyone will be enjoying the garden while you're gone.

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  28. Your garden will be fine & so will Mr. I. He will surprise you I'm sure.
    Sure glad you all are safe from all that water. It's raining here & has for a couple hrs.
    Have a blast with Frances on your trip.
    Can't wait to see some pics & hear all about it.

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  29. Gail,
    I love this post! Isn't it what all of us wish for our gardens when we're away?

    Have a great time!
    Lisa

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  30. I'm sure everything will be beautifully looked after, Coal especially so. Looking forward to meeting you x

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  31. Mr. I is a keeper! I certainly won't be asking VIS to take photos of my plants when I go to Buffalo. Have a great time at Malvern!

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  32. Lucky you Gail! Hope you have a wonderful time. I'm sure Mr. I will take good care of things.

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