to my heart's content
I gaze at the treetops
shrouded in haze
and budding."
Its been a long transition to Spring. April was cold and very unspring like. This weekend was the first chance I had to do any cleanup. My big problem this year is what appears to be the death of most of my clumping bamboo (Fargesia rufa). Lots of winter burn on the four plants that border the backyard entrance.
At first I thought it might have to do with the fact that I moved these plants last summer. However, three other plants elsewhere in the garden also suffered a similar fate.
These three still have some green leaves and I might be able to save them still. Unfortunately, there has been no sign of new shoots - these should have appeared by now. This is not a good sign. Overall, this is a disaster. These plants were a major part of the garden's appearance and being bamboo provided some sense of authenticity. I'm not sure how I will handle the change - more bamboo or perhaps another alternative. Its too bad, these plants were supposed to be ideally suited for the winter environment and the shady nature of my garden.
On a happier note, I purchased a new plant to put where one of my False Cyprus Cumulus (Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Cumulus') once resided near the Yukimi lantern. It is a Gem Boxbood (Buxus hybrid 'Franklins Gem').
This plant can do well with only 3 to 6 hours of sunlight, so it might make it in the south side, shady portion of the garden. It is also a compact variety of evergreen that should only grow to about 18" x 18", easily manageable. Its also deer resistant. If it does well, I might consider at least one more for elsewhere in the garden.
In the mean time, I still have to plan for the area behind Buddha - not sure what I will do with that space this summer.
