We’ve gotten a TON of rain over the last two days. There were flood warnings all over the place. Trees were down. Power was out. Some school systems were delayed, and one system was even closed. But Baltimore County was not affected, thank goodness. I would have hated to have missed even one hour of school… especially in May. (he said sarcastically)
My basement is in good shape when it comes to rain. I’ve not had water even once. And I didn’t have water this time either. But the water did do damage. My flood damage was in the garden.
I came home yesterday between school and handbell practice to grab something to eat. Looking out my kitchen window, my smoke bush didn’t look right. I planted the smoke bush three or four years ago. I put it right against the house because I thought it would fill the space nicely. But I don’t think these plants should be called smoke bushes. I think they should be called smoke trees. Over the course of last year, it almost reached to my roof. Because I planted it so close to my house, it leaned out a little. And because it rained so much yesterday, the ground got soft, and my smoke bush started falling over. If left alone, it would be lying completely flat by morning. Dang it!
There was nothing left to do but try to control the damage. I had to cut the smoke bush down to size in order to straighten it. After pushing it back up, I braced it with scrap wood. And now I think I will have to prune it every spring, but at least it’s saved.
BEFORE
AFTER
Good grief! At least you knew what to do. (You’re garden’s looking pretty lush, there.)
Not to contradict you or anything, but I believe you did have water in your basement once. Didn’t it involve a garden hose and a forgetful memory?
It’s easy to blame things like this on the weather, but really your smoke bushes hate your dogwood tree. They’ve been going at it verbally for years, and the smoke bushes have finally had enough.
The braces are a good idea, but you might want to get a set of chains too.
How did you get a sign to grow in the middle of that bush?
You should have called Ken to take care of trimming that for you!
Wow – You really pruned that tree. I mean, bush.
It’s a bush with a single stem. I bet it’s looking forward to some sunshine to reestablish itself after that hacking it just received! Good thing it’s a beautiful day!
I like it much better pruned. Do you?
Is nothing safe your yard? Are all your other plants wondering when they are going to be viciously cut down? This is too much- gardening imitating work.
Ooooooooooo…..I got that, Kim.
Hey, where’s Peggy?