For today's Wednesday Vignette hosted by Anna at Flutter and Hum, here are the three pictures of my garden that comprised my first blog post six years ago today followed by views from similar vantage points today.
Six years of posting at least five days a week, 1,600 posts, 1,300,000 views and thousands of comments later finds the garden looking similar bu a tad more overgrown than it did then.
This temporary gate has been replaced but the plants here are pretty much the same.
Like most bloggers, I have found the best part of this adventure has been corresponding with and even meeting so many wonderful gardeners from around the world, hearing of their garden woes and triumphs, sharing a bit of their lives. There are people who I've never met in person who have become "imaginary friends." Are these virtual groups a way of creating community in our changing society? Is this the new garden club? Whatever it is, I'm grateful for each and every one of you.
Sadly, Eastern Filbert Blight is progressing and a large chunk of the Contorted Filbert had to be removed this year. This tree has been with me for 25 years and I hate to see it go. Ah, but change is inevitable in the garden and in life.
For now the Contorted Filbert (Corylus avellana 'Contorta') remains. What to do when the tree finally gives up the ghost, remove the tree entirely or leave it for sculptural interest? It grew considerably in the last six years and it's absence would be very obvious. Should I start again with a blight-resistant red leaved contorted filbert, plant something entirely different? Laziness has set in as the hose was left in place for this picture.
Thank you for being part of the fun, for reading, commenting, laughing along with me. Today is also my first day of summer break and I'm looking forward to six weeks of playing in the garden.