Festival of the Trees # 11

Xris at Flatbush Gardener is the host this month for something new to me, the Festival of the Trees . This is a monthly Blog Carnival also a new idea to me. It is a bit like a meme, but without the tagging involved and acts more as a gathering place for like minded posts and like minded people.

I read the call for submissions late Sunday night, past the deadline, at least on East Coast time and Xris was kind enough to include me in this months Festival of the Trees. He chose something other than what I submitted so I am curious about that, but happy to be included.















Go spend a little time with the Trees.

Blue Skies and Empty Space

It is amazing how much work you can get done when you are focused, when the operating thought in your head is "This is It. It is time to be ruthless." There actually is an organized and clean nursery full of healthy plants in there. What a difference a couple of days of work makes.

Growing potted landscape plants in the tropics really is a full time job. I am confronting the plant addict in me who thinks I can grow that, so I will. My denial is slipping. Root it, sprout it, divide it, pot it, add water and a dash of Osmocote and watch out!

Things have a way of creeping up on you and creeping away from you without focus.















Empty spaces are appearing and the result is that what is left stands out more. Less clutter equals a tidier look that can be pleasing to the eye. Blocks of plants now proclaim who they are. I have a long way to go before a simple garden reappears.

My stack of pots is growing. I am a recycling kind of guy and they may be worth a few pennies at a garage sale.















Lawn creep is well under way as the perennial flowers are dug up. I haven't had the heart to yank the wild Basil yet. Perhaps I should now while the bees are distracted by the Holly tree.















I see blue skies above and in front of me. The re-invention tour is packing up for the road.
















A new garden that will have an unknown influence on me awaits. A wild piece of land that has a few rhododendrons I know, maybe some native azaleas I hope and escapees from the crazy gardeners just up above most likely. Time will tell.

A New Door Opens

Tomorrow when I wake up everything will be different. My work life here has officially ended. From this point forward all my energy will be directed to being able to walk through a new door.















I better get busy. There is a lot of moss on my rocks and cobwebs in the crevices.


Later that same day:

At the end of a spurt of busy I am having the realization that underneath my garden there is a very nice landscape. Once I have cleaned up, thrown out and sold off everything that needs to go I might actually be willing to show photographs of my garden as a living space. It has very good bones. I will work hard to make it nice enough to turn over to someone else. Pity that I will not be here to enjoy it.















As God as my witness, my own garden will not be the last one to get attention ever again.

Meanwhile Back at Kalaupapa

Lost in the sensory overload of a trip to Molokai was this video of the beach at Kalaupapa. What would you guys prefer, more buzzing bees on my 'East Palatka' Holly tree or a visit to the beach on Molokai?



I thought you might like a video with an ocean view more.

Seeing Things

And not saying much.




















This is not what I need to be concentrating on.
















Same plant different leaf different light different side.















This is a flower on a creeping plant related to Hibiscus that is now a weed because I forgot who it was and no longer cared.













God Bless all the soft green lawns.

Lost in Light

What was that paper work I was supposed to be doing?

Orchids Orchids Everywhere

Today was my last day working in the third garden of the first client I got when I arrived on Maui twenty years ago. We are one month short of having our 20th anniversary, Darling.

It has been an incredibly full and rewarding relationship. Each of the three gardens were unique, constantly evolving and never dull.



















It was a long day. The garden is in perfect shape to turn over to the gentlemen who is buying my client list for a few magic beans.

I am tired, my back still hurts and it is time for my evening stroll through the garden to remind myself why I enjoy this so much. So there won't be an eloquent analysis of a long relationship that in many ways is too hard to describe.

Some things are not easy to capture in their full essence.


















Two stubborn opinionated men collaborated and came up with gardens to be proud of. Even when there were days of disagreement and the tongues were flapping, the relationship held tight.
















That is something to be thankful for and to celebrate.

Thank you John for everything you have done for me over all these years.

Into The Fold

Staring
















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