Do you have any looming tasks in the garden that you are not looking forward to doing? A task that makes you shudder or cringe? We do, one in particular....
That is to move one of the Yucca linearifolia growing on the first raised bed in the area where our koi pond is. We dont need to dig it out, but rather loosen it on one side to shift the rootball, hopefully by only digging on one side it will not be too much stress for the plant. However this will still involve severing some of its roots in the process, and the thought of severing roots makes me a little nervous, shudder, and yes cringe.
Blue trunked yuccas are not always the easiest of plants to re-root and those that are planted, once you realise that they have re-rooted and are growing away nicely gives a sense of relief. The last thing you'd want is to hurt those fragile roots again.
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| Spade into its rootball, ouch...my heart!!! |
It was planted a few years ago with the natural curve of the trunk deliberately facing the pathway. Even so back then the head of leaves had a safe distance away from the pathway. A few years on the leaves got a lot longer and despite being supported it leaned even further down. It also sent out lots more suckers which may have contributed to its lean.
As much as I hate the thought of severing its roots and risking its very existence it had to be moved up and out of the way of the pathway. It's either that or cut it off down to the base and let the suckers take over. Suddenly the first option seems the best.
So the deed had to be done today. Putting that spade in, ouch!
And Gaz felt an extra ouch too as some of those leaves spiked his face as he sorted out the ropes and stake to make it upright.
And there it is now, standing a lot more upright and out of the way of the pathway.
Spading its rootball and pushing it up is putting the health of the Yucca at risk and is a bit of a gamble. It's still early in the season and it has all year now to re-root and re-establish itself. Fingers crossed we didn't harm and set it back too much. It's a shame we had to do this as this plant was very established already but needs be for a clear pathway comes first. Hopefully it'll be fine, heal itself and carry on growing...upwards this time.
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
I wasn't even sure which plant to look for in the "after" photo -- amazing transformation! The cringe was worth it, so fingers crossed that it won't complain too much.
ReplyDeleteMy main "cringe" task is to rebuild my stream water feature. I've put it off for a couple of years now, and I really miss the sound of running water. It leaks too much and is starting to look shabby so it needs to be done, but a task that is counted in days not hours... blech.
I really do hope it doesn't complain too much. Would really hate to lose it Alan but it's the best shot we can give it.
DeleteOne day you'll get the stream redone, and it'll be a sigh of relief once you do and hopefully won't need doing again for a long time :)
Ouch, the after photo makes clear it had to be done and your minimal approach will work. Looks so much better upright too.
ReplyDeleteAgree Shirley, looks so much better upright. Here's hoping it will be fine after all that, fingers crossed...
DeleteWow, the raised bed is beautiful!! I´m sure the Yucca is going to do well thanks to your efforts. I was afraid for Gaz´s eyes!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa :) it wasn't an easy as those leaves are very spiky!
DeleteDear Mark, it appears like you guys did a fantastic job on the Yucca. Hope it is recovering beautifully from the procedure and keeps on living. By the way the whole raised bed looks fantastic! I really like the greenish/bluish foliage of the plants against the white painted fence and the white retaining wall. With our ongoing drought I maybe forced to give up on some of my roses and grow more drought tolerant plants. I guess, I could find some inspiration in your garden, which is kind of ironic since Great Britain is so wet...
ReplyDeleteWarm regards,
Christina
Thanks Christina, that's lovely to hear :) hope the yucca recovers nicely. More drought tolerant plants sounds a very good idea, will associate well with your cycads. Hopefully you won't have to sacrifice many of your lovely roses.
DeleteAnd yes drought not a problem in wet UK :)
Good job.
ReplyDeleteI felt much the same hacking back our hedge of rhododendrons. But some of them are resprouting already.. keep the faith!
Hacking back and digging, not always easy tasks to do Jessica. Glad to hear that your rhododendrons are resprouting already :)
DeleteIt's that kind of task that I hate the most, especially it involves a plant I really like. But you did what had to be done and you did it the right way. Yes, it will sulk a bit bit then it'll resume growth as if nothing had happened.
ReplyDeleteHopefully that'll be the case Gerhard, fingers crossed! :)
DeleteMoving an established plant is always worrisome. I hope the Yucca comes through the experience without a hitch. I also hope that Gaz put some salve on his scratches.
ReplyDeleteWe hope so too Kris, it's like giving something deliberate injuries in the hopes it will heal much nicer :)
DeleteMy hands seem to get used to scratches. Between the cats and garden i always seem to have plenty!
DeleteI'll be keeping my fingers crossed that it reroots and thrives again in a new position. I know that heart-stilling rip of roots very well lately, with all the big plants I've been digging and moving around. Most of mine have gotten a little wilty, but eventually they perk up again.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alison! Did think of you whilst sorting this out, remembering all the plant juggling you did recently :)
DeleteI find that once I attack a project that I've been dreading it's rarely as bad as I was expecting. Hopefully your yucca will respond with vigor (going away from the pathway...).
ReplyDeleteThat's true Loree. It wasn't as bad as I originally thought it would be, at least with the move. It's just a matter of waiting now to know for certain if it is fine or not. We're very optimistic :)
DeleteLooks very good, even if it was a bit ouch making in the process. It also sounds like you have a plan B already in place with those suckers if it doesn't like the move.
ReplyDeleteMy cringe job has been making the allotment ready for inspection this week. It passed :)
Thanks Michelle and that's great news, well done!! :)
DeleteLast week I cut down my mother's overgrown and snow-flattened forsythia in Buffalo (New York). So much to cringe at in that statement.
ReplyDeleteThat made me smile John :))
DeleteThat border really does look splendid. Worth the work, keeping the residents in check!
ReplyDeleteCutting back damson trees is my current cringe - never like cutting a plum!
Thanks Helen :) not always easy to cut back as doing so sometimes gives the sensation that you're hurting it.
DeleteCringe worthy task to be sure but it looks great now. Hope Gaz's face heals as quickly as the yucca roots!
ReplyDeleteI've never known you to shrink from a difficult task.
ReplyDelete