秘密的心 (Secret Heart)

Living in retirement beyond the world,

Silently enjoying isolation, 

I pull the rope of my door tighter 

And stuff my window with roots and ferns. 

My spirit is tuned to the Spring-season: 

At the fall of the year 

there is autumn in my heart. 

Thus imitating cosmic changes 

My cottage becomes a Universe. 

     - Lu Yün (fourth century a.d.; translated by Arthur Waley) 

Now that I am officially retired, I finally planted the First Flame Maple "Iseli Introduction" (Acer x pseudosieboldianum) I purchased back in early May. 

I decided to wait until the danger passed from the Spongy Moth caterpillar invasion we endured over the last six weeks. I was afraid they would devastate the Maple because it would be located so close to a large Oak tree, which the caterpillars love. As a result, I decided to reconsider the location of the Maple. Initially, I was going to plant it into the bed area near the corner. However, I decided that it would be too close to the fence and Snowmound Spiraea. In time, the tree will grow and it will need space for the canopy.

So instead, I decided to plant it just behind the large rock and Yukimi-dōrō (snow-view lantern). 

Before doing so, I had to re-work this area. The Panicum Virgatum 'Ruby Ribbons' I transplanted here a few years back had grown substantially and will most likely continue to spread further out. I considered splitting it into two, but instead I decided to contain it with plastic edging.

I also needed to ensure that it would not extend into the area I dug out for the Maple. As a result, a strip of edging will separate the two, containing the grass, while simultaneously encircling the Maple, making a larger bed in which to place mulch. 

Mulching this area will be more beneficial for the Maple. Planting it, and then covering it with peastone would not be good for the roots. I can also more easily amend the soil around the base of the Maple in the future if needed. Having peastone there would have made it more difficult to do so.

The soil in the viewing area is very poor and mostly sand, so it was important to amend the soil for the Maple.

Although not my intent, I began to notice that the shape of the mulch island was beginning to resemble a heart, especially when viewed from the front (upside down, behind the stone). As a result, I have decided to name the mulch island: Secret Heart (秘密的心).

I am happy with how the island has turned out - the mulch, Maple, grass, rock, and lantern all work well together. 

This feature also looks nice from the driveway view (a view seen by most neighbors walking by).

The changes in the Stroll and Viewing Gardens since 2014 are remarkable.

Sommer 2014

Summer 2022

In time, the tree will continue to grow, perhaps as high as 20'. My plan, with luck, is to prune it so as to control its growth and shape.

In the meantime, this new feature will add some interest to the viewing area, and eventually, as the tree grows, prove to be a dramatic focal point to be seen from the East Gate at the far end of the Stroll Garden.

Visitors I am sure will be pleased, especially by the summertime autumn-like colors of the First Flame Maple.

All the while, unbeknownst to those who have not read this blog, the secret will be that "there is autumn in my heart."

Softened Corner

I took the time to plant the Coral Bark Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Sango kaku/coral bark') in front of the gazebo post as planned.

Before doing so, I decided to create a small circular bed lined with plastic trim as a place to plant the tree and place some small assorted plants. The plastic edging will help to keep the peastone out of the area directly around the tree and allow me to amend the soil here from time to time.

The corner post of the gazebo is one of the first things people see when they enter the garden, so I am hoping this Maple will help soften that corner and add some interest to the garden by adding some color and a canopy. This maple has the possibility of growing to 20' x 14', but my plan is to prune it and maintain its growth and shape (I hope).

I was concerned after starting that I was disrupting the Feng Shui of the garden by placing this tree and bed in front of the post. It disrupts the straight path from the back lawn towards the Zen garden. 

I'm not sure if I am violating any strict Feng Shui rules, but the idea of having a canopy with some color here and blocking the harsh view of the post, outweighs my concerns about maintaining a straight uninterrupted path. Maybe the bend will impede any "hungry ghosts" who try to enter the garden (they like to travel in straight lines).

Time will tell, as the tree grows, if it was a mistake or not.

For now, I placed the potted Bonfire (Euphorboia epithymoides 'Bonfire') and Autumn Moon Maple (Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon') near or in the bed. 

In time, I can also add some small annuals to the bed to add seasonal interest.

Retirement Gifts

With my retirement from teaching fast approaching, a few friends gave me a gift card to a local nursery, and I made full use of the gift card to purchase some new plants for the garden.

With all the fence wok going on, I haven't done much with the garden plants. Especially after the weeks long inundation we suffered from a Spongy Moth invasion (formally known as "Gypsy" Moths). Now that the caterpillars have transitioned to becoming moths, the leaf debris and excrement they left behind is starting to disappear. It will be a couple more weeks before it gets better. The excrement alone did a lot of damage to my Moss areas, and the leaf debris is everywhere. Very unsightly. Without a doubt the worst invasion of caterpillars I have ever seen.

My trampling all over the garden while building the new fence also hasn't helped.

Here are the the plants I purchased:

Now I can start thinking about the new plants, where I will place them, and how to bring the garden back into balance with more beauty.

Pumpkin Spice Foamy Bells (Heusherella x 'Pumpkin Spice')

I love the color of these Foamy Bells, but I honestly have had very little luck with Cora Bells and Foamy Bells over the years. They never seem to last more than one of two seasons. Nevertheless, I thought I would give one another try. This time I will amend the soil and pay more attention to fertilization. I am also hoping the slugs stay away. They don't alway like the prickly nature of the leaves and stems. Hopefully that will be a good deterrent. In the meantime, I will enjoy the color vaiation in the garden for one season (and perhaps many more).

Bonfire (Euphorboia epithymoides 'Bonfire')

I liked this small plant and intend to place it in a pot. It will only grow to about 12" x 18." If it does well I can always transplant it into a bed. I am worried that it may prove too yummy for slugs. Hence, the attempt to keep it potted and protected from slugs.

Autumn Moon Maple (Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon')

Although this is a small Maple now, it has the potential to grow to 15' H x 12' W. My plan is to keep it in a container for a couple years and try container planting. It is a slow grower, so it will be a while before it ever gets close to its full size. I will do my best to prune it back and keep it small. It has some great colors if I can keep it in a more sunny area, but I like the fall-like coloring that will show during the summer. Getting the soil mix right will be a challenge, but I am willing to learn more about container planting Maples.

Coral Bark Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Sango kaku/coral bark')\

This Maple will be planted in the ground in front of the front-facing corner post of the gazebo. It is very similar to the the First Flame Maple "Iseli Introduction" (Acer x pseudosieboldianum) I bought a couple weeks back for the viewing garden (but have yet to plant due to the caterpillar invasion). 

It may take a few days before I get around to planting and potting, but once retirement is official, I will have all the time I need to care for the garden.

The Moon Represents My Heart

你問我愛你有多深     You ask me how deep my love for you is
我愛你有幾分 How much I really love you
我的情也真 My affection is real
我的愛也真 My love is real
月亮代表我的心 The moon represents my heart

- 月亮代表我的心 (The Moon Represents My Heart)

I've been working on repairing and reinstalling the garden fence all spring and into the summer. New posts are in, rails attached, cleats installed for cedar panels, and the decorative parts along the top installed, including the roof sections.

One major repair and renovation was the moon window.

Moon Window 2020

I was able to salvage about 95% of the window pieces and only had to replace four small sections that had rotted.

I sanded each piece down and re-stained them. 

They have a dark patina due to age and exposure to weather, but I think it makes them look a bit more "ancient." 

In order to reuse most of the pieces I simply turned the window upside down. The bottom pieces were often below the snow line, hence the rot, but the top pieces were in great shape since they were mostly covered by a roof. The replaced pieces all came from the bottom.

Since I was working on the re-install during Father's Day, my wife decided to help me. 

It went faster and was great to work on the project together. I think it's safe to say our "love is real" and that “the moon represents my heart."

     • Video audio by: Teresa Teng; performed by David DiMuzio.

       (Used without permission)