It's just wonderful to watch the crab bed fill in with all those shade perennials I installed last year. They could sure use some rain though. We've only gotten 3/4" this May and only 4" all April - less than half what we got in 2014.

Here's the before and after pics. You can see that the arbor bed can now be seen in the background and there is a bit more light under the trees. I'm keeping the crabs in check - I've seen how rangy these things can get.
On a sad note, the yoshino cherry tree planted in the front lawn 3 years ago is dead - the deer just kept at the poor thing.
I pulled it out yesterday and cut it up. It made such a sad little pile. It never had a chance. RIP
Then I went to Marcs for some groceries and right there, outside the door amongst their spring plant selections, was an 8-foot-tall potted SNOWDRIFT CRABAPPLE tree. My favorite crab!! And only $20!!! Be still my heart.

I'll plant it where the cherry used to be. Hopefully this one will have better luck. I'll be diligent and beef up defenses.
While I was on a roll, I tried out the new pump on the rain barrels. Here's the post on the Garden Projects page.

Meanwhile, up in the attic, I'm replacing a vent screen. Check out the story on the Household Adventures page.
Nothing is really 'forever' in a garden. Could the cherry have had wet feet? I lost a sour cherry tree that would have standing water after heavy rains....it didn't last long. They really don't like those conditions.
ReplyDeleteThe crab tree bed is lovely. I like Snowdrift crab also and it is one of the best I think.
No, it was deer damage. Crabtrees are much more wet/dry sun/shade tolerant than fruit trees. The bark was a mess and the branches were always eaten. Guy didn't believe I could get an 8' tree and 14" pot into the VW. LOL
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