fence cover

How many times can I mention how much we hate the chain link fence? In 2006, the fence cover strategy, henceforth Fence Strategy One included clematis, which everyone said was a great climbing fence cover. I didn't get it until this week. Last year, it was nice, but kind of lackluster. All of a sudden this year, it's gotten thick and well, this week it bloomed. Guess it just needed to mature. Here it is, you can't even see the fence here behind the petunias bursting out of the Perch Bird Feeder. But if you look closely, you can still see some fence.


From a more "macro perspective", behold Fence Cover Strategy Two, which included akebia quinata, seeds from neighbor Debbie up the block, planted fall 2006. Akebia is a funny one. Didn't do much of anything in 2006. In 2007 shot up and it was fun to see. This year it's gotten vigorous. Grows so fast I see why it's invasive in some areas -- it's sent runners everywhere. But those little runners are easy to manipulate and send in strategic directions.


Still we need a Fence Cover Strategy Three. There is a huge gap between the flowering (or not-so-flowering) quince and the top of the fence where the clematis and akebia thrive. It's not that we don't love our neighboors and their above ground pool. Really it isn't.

Meanwhile, on another note -- borage. Argh. Last year I planted seeds, and it came up all huge and was kind of annoying snaking all over the peony bed, and then this year it came back with a vengeance. I left it there all spring since I didn't have any other plan, but now there it is with its big fat stems, totally taking over and creeping out into the "lawn". Somebody's getting pulled out soon. To be replaced with... ??? ... ???