Off The Cuff Archive

“Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow?

With Silver Bells & Cockle Shells & Pretty Maids all in a row.”

I never understood why Mary, with such a beautiful garden attitude, would be considered contrary. That is, until I discovered the history of the poem.

 Mary, in this poem, is Mary Tudor, the daughter of King Henry VIII. When she became queen, her nickname became “Bloody Mary,” because she was known for the executions and torture that dominated during her reign.

“Silver bells” were thumb screws that smashed the thumbs and fingers, and cockle shells? Well, they squished something else. As for the maids? Well, the original guillotine was named “The Maiden.”

 And here I thought it was just a nursery rhyme.

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 Several readers have asked for a garden report, and since I have not yet given one this year, I would say the time has come.

 As far as the gardens go, I am out of room.

The orange daylilies, just now ready to bloom, are overwhelming. When they are finished blooming, I have about 80 of them that will need dug up and moved . . . well, somewhere. Likely, they will go to Grantsville, where I hope to get some help planting them on that hillside where everyone else plants their election signs.

 The shade garden out back is full, with the remaining greenery of Columbine (purple), Crocus (yellow) and Iris (blue). I have a Lupine I don’t remember planting, and it looks to be a wonderful addition, and the Foxglove definitely reseeded itself before dying out. I threw in a couple of green pepper plants, just because they would fit. The Glads are appearing now. The Asters (purple) I moved there last year are taking well, I kept them cut back so they won’t topple when they bloom. The Astibille (I think that’s their name) are taking well in this, their second year.

The side garden is fabulous. I finally have it to the point where there’s something blooming there at all times of the season. Both above and below a rock wall on the hillside, the top half has Columbine (yellow and pink), Lavender, Crocus, and the new addition, Ranunculus. Only the Columbine is in bloom now. The daylilies? When they’re done, they’re gone.

The bottom half is Columbine (yellow and red), and the main Bearded Iris bed (blue). I transplanted Spirea here last year, and they are getting ready to burst out in purple. I also brought in some Hibiscus which I dug from a field of them just up the road. I added a Dahlia this year, which is also growing well. It had better bloom beautiful, or I’m not digging it up this fall. Spread among all of this are Asiatic Lilies and Glads, moved after last year’s population boom. In the pot on the corner is my Balloon flower. It is one of my favorites.

 The sun bed is in total disarray. The variegated grass is out of control, even though I dug up half of it last year. The three Asters I started with have been divided into 12 (deer keep them trimmed back), and my Echinacea (another favorite) is losing its space. I also got some kind of weed in a few bags of mulch two years ago, which has spread over half the garden, and flourished. The Iris and Hibiscus are surrounded by this nasty stuff, and will likely have to be moved. The Glads I thought I removed last year? I didn’t get them all. The deer have already chewed them down.

The sun/shade bed is halfway under control. This is the bed, garden fans will remember, where I accidentally quintupled my Asiatic Lilies. I counted them yesterday; there are 82. When they’re finished blooming, they must all be moved, because the Forsythia have really taken off this year. The Spirea in this bed are now bushes, and Chinese Lanterns and Four O’Clocks are sprouting up all in between. The Hens and Chicks are multiplying profusely for some reason, but I’ll not complain about that.

 I had a Rose of Sharon in this bed for eight years. Last year, an Autumn Olive sprouted beneath it, took it over during winter, and killed it this spring. I dug them both out, but, not able to untangle one from the other, just threw the whole mess over the hill. I have a feeling the Forsythia will soon fill that space anyway.

 My newest “garden” isn’t even at my house; it is right outside my office door on Main St. Helen had a large pot and potting soil, and I brought in a small Rose of Sharon, Vinca, and some Iris, and assembled this potted garden on the sidewalk. Hopefully, it will keep us from running into folks passing by when we come flying out the door. I put it in last Friday, with the help of a friend.

 If you have flowers that must be separated, consider bringing them to Classic Creations on Court St. Charlie will help take care of them, and he and I will plant them around town.