Tunnel Vision

Broussonetia papyrifera

Now that things are moving so quick again with the pond project I find myself putting nearly all of my attention, physical, and mental energy towards the project. I am enjoying it though, just so glad that things are moving at a quick pace again.

I am mindful too of the finer details of the project, and it's easy to lose track of it if you're not careful and lose focus. And focused I am indeed...

So focused that I missed my usual train this morning as I got engrossed filling and sanding a corner of the pergola! Fortunately I still managed to get in at work on time. But I did smile to myself, thinking of the reason why I missed the train - sanding a pergola, now you don't hear that excuse too often.

The other thing is though, with this focus it also means that I don't think of our garden and plants that much. Perhaps I can say I'm not in my usual plant-y mood. Yes I still keep an eye on the garden, making sure everything is fine as can be and nothing is in need of urgent attention, still giving the basic care that it needs. But I don't spend as much time soaking in the beauty of the plants as much as I used to, or even as much as I would want to. Not at the moment anyway, I have to concentrate on what needs to be done first.

Schefflera taiwaniana - just some of the lower leaves of a plant over 9' tall now

A blog reader sent me a message asking if I can feature a few more of our other plant collections, like we have done previously with our Farfugiums, Kalopanax and Fatsias amongst others. And to which I was also reminded that I haven't done a 'proper' blog yet about the Scheffleras in our garden (although I do remember having a small, preview like post about them before, with an indication that I will follow it up with a lengthier, more detailed post sometime soon after that...). Well I have started that one, and it's still there somewhere, buried under the depths of a mix of published, unpublished, and other unfinished blog posts. I'll get that one done, eventually...one day....

Perhaps when the project is finished. At the moment I have a temporary, self imposed 'Tunnel Vision' where I blur out the peripheries as I concentrate on the main task ahead.

But I am not that rigid, I still relax my tunnel vision every so often. Mainly to take a little break and spend a little time looking at the plants and the rest of the garden. A little break yes, not as much time as I would want to but I'm better at bringing the camera with me in those little moments...

Crocosmia 'Lucifer' - easy, readily available, undemanding, beautiful!

For foliage fans out there, this might tickle your fancy - Broussonetia papyrifera

The lovely Eccremocarpus scaber, which I didn't expect to sail through -10C in our garden last winter

Even the seed pod of  Eccremocarpus scaber is attractive

A rare deciduous shrub given to us a couple of years ago, Euodia fargesii (could be Tetradium fargesii now??)

The delicate bloom of Impatiens sodenii

Slightly later than usual but fast catching up - Zingiber mioga 'Dancing Crane', possibly the hardiest ginger in our garden

Also a bit late but has now started to bloom - Dahlia 'After Eight'

Not always a fan of Ligularia blooms but this one's not too bad - Ligularia przewalskii

A touch of New Zealand in the garden, the bronze foliage of Elatostema rugosum

Hmmmm....looking back at those photos myself, I'll relax my tunnel vision just a bit more, as it's summer after all, and the garden is too enticing to fully resist. Besides, you only get one summer a year, make the most of it!

Mark :-)

Posted in: exotic garden , Pond build , Tropical Garden , Tropical Plants