Jekyll and Hyde

I was out yesterday in the beautiful 76 degree weather like most every other gardener working like crazy cleaning trash out of the various flower beds.

It was then I realized that I have a Jekyll and Hyde flower bed...I'm not kidding.

The bed is situated in an area of the yard that encompasses a large electric pole and a guy wire. It was decided long ago that a flower bed might alleviate all the tedium of mowing around said pole and wire. Besides, who doesn't like to look at pretty flowers?

The east side of the flower bed was planted in tiger lilies obtained from the nearby hills on another part of the farm. Over the years, various other lilies have been added to the collection. Come June, there is a beautiful array of types and colors to enjoy.

However...then there is the west side of the garden, aka Mr. Hyde. This area of the garden, sans a few tough little survivors, is a desolate and mean land indeed. Clumps of crab grass, stray random saplings, and general weeds of all ilk roam the area like thugs on street corners. There is a clump of healthy looking magic lilies along with three or four small coral bells that are bravely coming on this season so far, but I fear for their lives. It seems no matter how often I till, I dig, I transplant, I sew seed, the end result is always the same...a general untidy mess.

Hyde or no, I will NOT be deterred.

I am secretly planning my revenge. My plan this year is to bombard the area, so much so that it won't know what hit it until it looks pretty. And then I'm sure the battle will begin...but I'm ready. Crab grass beware, saplings fear the blade of the lopper--I will be watching for you. I'm thinking this might be a good spot for a cutting garden, so a little Hyde won't hurt. It can be un-uniform, with a cacophony of colors. Maybe, just maybe this organized chaos will be just enough to throw the thugs off their game.