Spring Photos and Update

So.......it felt like a long winter as I planned and thought and rethought what to do in the IG (Italian Garden). As I mentioned at the end of www.villacappello.blogspot.com , things needed to be simplified and some things just needed to be removed because they didn't work.

So, down with the sage, the less hardy rosemarys (sp?), away with the thyme, because as well as the soil drains in this side yard with full sun, it just gets too darn wet. Also, I discovered that the dominant form of lavender here needs to be 'Grosso', because it forms a nice, green ball that stays beautiful even through the winter. Spanish or Provence lavender deserve a place here in between, but they get too - ahem, 'rustic', in the off-season.

Today I finished all the major perennial plantings. I added five more 'Grosso' and yesterday I put out the purple artichoke starts and said a prayer over them. If they take off I will be excited beyond measure; if they die -- oh well. Oh, and I planted 2 Santolinas. I was very excited to find them at Sunnyside Nursery.

Now the main skeleton is really done. In a couple of weeks I have some bulbs to add, but for now it's time to just let things grow and weed.