I once saw a poster that showed a lovely little flower growing through a crack in a concrete sidewalk. The caption read "Beautiful things are seldom easy." This came to mind the other day as we forged our way through quackgrass that threatened to take over part of our perennial patch. The perennials were starting to look very beautiful, but quackgrass lurked around every clump. The damp weather was heaven-sent, making it easy to pull out the rhizomes. The digging that day was hard work, but now it's looking a whole lot more manageable. "Beautiful things are seldom easy."
I was chatting with someone about hillside gardens. Talk about a challenge! There are so many things to consider with gardening on a slope. A gardener would have to consider the direction that the slope faces (and the amount of sun or lack of); consider the steepness of the slope (can you easily walk up and down the slope, or do you have to set up rappel lines?); what type of soil is on the slope; how will you water the plants and not have the soil run off; and of course, how do you prevent your garden from eroding and ending up at the bottom of the hill?
Terracing is one solution; the other is to use plants that clump and spread well over time. A mixture of perennials and shrubs would be a good idea. Your first task at planting would be to mound up the soil in a half moon shape around the downward side of the plant, to help collect water and get your plant established. Someone told me that you could also use a small piece of garden edging, shaped into a half circle and half buried in the soil. This could be removed after a couple seasons when the plant has become established.
What plants would work best on a slope? Certain junipers would be perfect; woody shrubs like potentillas; or perennials like cranesbill geranium, achillea, or goutweed (see, there might be a "perfect spot" for goutweed yet!). Some grasses might work well, too. If it is a large area, you might want to consider native plants that are already adapted to the climate and soil. As with all gardening, you want a mixture of sizes, colors and textures for your plants to make your garden look appealing. A slope garden is a lot of work, so gather all your information ahead of time, and be sure to talk to experienced plants-people at your local nurseries for ideas; they know all the latest varieties and can guide you with expert advice.
The Yorkton and District Horticultural Society is having their next meeting on Wednesday, June 15. This is a members-only meeting, with a BBQ at Barb and Stuart Greenstein's, meeting, and plant exchange. For more information or directions call Liz at 782-2830. If you're looking for a gardener's getaway this summer, here's the perfect idea: The Saskatchewan Horticultural Association bus tour, July 19-21, with stops in Nipawin, Carrot River, and Tisdale. And closer on the calendar, there's the bus trip to Regina on Saturday, June 11. If you're still thinking about that one, don't delay: call Liz and check if there are any spaces available on the bus.
Gardening can be exhausting, but it's also exhilarating. It stimulates your senses and enhances your appreciation of nature; it also soothes the soul and the spirit. It connects us with gardeners past as we draw on their knowledge and skill, and connects with gardeners to come, because, really, we are custodians of the earth for future generations. We must gently take care of it. "Beautiful things are seldom easy." Till next time, enjoy your garden with these luxuriously long days, and be sure to wear a hat and mosquito protection.
