Saturday, July 19, 2008

More signs & anniversary garden areas

Last year on our 1 year LID anniversary I decided to plant a tree for the girls. So we found a tiny little dwarf apple tree and planted it next to the shed behind the garage. Before planting it Sonny made a little area for it with landscape timbers and fresh dirt. We planted the tree and I added some Dragon's Blood ground cover around it. You know -- dragons....Chinese....good luck.... I was going for the whole Chinese theme there. Here's the tree today.











As we approached our 2 year LID anniversary -- I told Sonny that we had to plant something again for the girls. I got 'the look' -- the look that says 'you are a nut but you are my nut'. All he said was 'we better get our referral soon or we won't have any grass left'. So this time I decided we needed to do the other side of the shed because -- it looks -- well -- like crap -- on the other side. So I needed another Chinese theme -- hello -- the girls are from China so this made perfect sense to me in my little world I pretend to control.

So I decided on these plants -- Chinese Lanterns, Fritillain, Hardy Pansies, and branching tulips.
Do you see a theme on my new favorite colors?

This is where the new garden area is going:


We have until fall to get the area ready since that's when the plants will be shipped. We are going to do landscape timbers from the corner of the ramp in front of the shed to the fence post to the right of the shed. Making a little triangle garden area. I read that the Chinese Lateran plants are kind of invasive so this should keep them somewhat contained. And if they choose to grow behind the fence -- all the better. It's just weeds and mosquitoes now. (not our property -- our lot ends at the fence) And the Chinese Lanterns get orange in the fall and can be cut for dry flowers. I think vases of them for Halloween and Thanksgiving would be a nice touch.

Ok -- ok -- on to the 'signs'. I only saw these plants - Chinese Lanterns - for the first time in June online -- while checking out Chinese Poppies. I thought it was a 'sign' that I found them. So it just made sense to buy them. Right? So I ordered the plants for the new garden area on June 15th.

Last week I was checking out my flower box along the deck and what did I find? A Chinese Lantern plant!!!! So some background info is needed here -- I have planted so many things in there the last 3 years that I can't keep track of what's what now. The bunnies eat the flowers and I plant more. It's this game I play with the cute little furry buggers. Some also get pulled as weeds -- oops -- and some come back a couple of years after I plant them -- I think the bunnies leave some roots behind. So now unless I'm sure it's a weed I leave it until I can figure out what it really is -- or how pretty the flowers are.

But, I KNOW I did NOT ever plant a Chinese Lantern plant -- I would have remembered that.

So I'm sure some bird 'pooped' out a seed and it planted itself -- maybe GOD directed that bird to take a dump on my flowers -- who knows. All I know is it's a 'sign' in my book. So here is my 'sign' plant:


I say good things are going to happen soon with the adoption.....my plant proves it.

I trust GOD to keep me positive -- because I beg him everyday for signs -- so I'll continue to look for HIS signs about when I'll become a mommy.

Today just happens to be our 25th month anniversary.

6 comments:

Michele M said...

I have always wanted to plant a "chinese lantern" plant. Never got to it but they are lovely. Everything looks great. Nice job.

Lesa said...

Sherry, what kind of weather tolerance do they take? You know, what zone do they grow in? I really love them too.
We have pears that are ripening and they are really neat. Our dog Ethel just loves them.ha
Evey thing is looking great!
Happy 25th Sister!!

Susan said...

Okay, this is really weird, so I have to share. While at the art fair on Saturday, I was really drawn to a tile artist. Guess which tile I kept picking up -- the Chinese lantern tile! I didn't buy it, but have plans to go to the store in Ann Arbor when they have a sale this fall. Loved the tile and I think it's a sign that I found it on Saturday when you were posting about your plant.

Pam said...

I just love that you are planting something in honor of your girls on your LID anniversary. It's a great idea, but I must say, I hope you don't have to do any more plantings without your little ones there to help you.

Sherry said...

Lesa -- they are good for zones 3 to 9.

Here's the link to where I got them:

http://michiganbulb.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_72181_A_Chinese+Lanterns+%2D+Buy+3%2C+Get+3+Free%21_E_

Anonymous said...

OMG! thats bizarre sister. And, I like the bird poop analogy!

Drea