Type E Gardening, or What's a Mop Doing In My Garden?

Here are my two favorite new plants: a "Whipcord Western Red Cedar" that looks like beach grass, and a brilliant cerise azalea. They went from the garden center to my garden yesterday in true Type E style.

Most Type E's have this ability – or maybe it's a handicap – that we can just imagine what something will look like when it's done. And once we have "seen" it, we want it done right then so we can move on to the next exciting project. Notice how I skipped the part about making it happen, the part in the middle that goes from concept to completion? It's not that Type E's don't also enjoy seeing things through to completion; we wouldn't be good real estate agents if we didn't. But for some things we’re ready to move on after we've figured out what the completion will look like.

Like gardening, for instance. I love the plants, the garden, the colors. I love picking out the plants and figuring where they will go. Then I'm ready for it to be done. Fortunately, we have some great lawn guys who are glad to help with the in between part of digging and planting and cleaning up.

Yesterday was a gorgeous Saturday, warm and bright but with a promise of rain at night – perfect planting weather. So we drove to our favorite place for anything outdoors - Watson's Garden Center. They are very helpful and great to deal with. Remember my adventure with attracting birds? Watson's was where we got the bird seed and feeders along with good advice. Yesterday, we were back there for plants. We picked out a bunch of stuff and had them put it all in the car. When we got home, the gardeners took it out of the car, I pointed where to put each plant, and voila…done! Gardening the Type E way.

This neat looking plant's tag reads: "Whipcord Western Red Cedar Iseli [the nursery] Introduction Thuja plicata 'Whipcord' …unusual selection of the giant forest tree, western red cedar. The drooping foliage is glossy green in summer with a bronze cast in winter...wild mop looks like beach grass." I just loved the look of this plant and hope it grows well in my garden. The tag also states, "Tolerates shallow chalk soils and shade." Do I have this? I'm not sure so I am placing it so I can enjoy it on my front porch while watching my feathered friends. The azaleas will add bright spots of color – sort of like having cardinals permanently visiting my yard.

Yes, I love gardening…provided I can do it the Type E way!

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