As the Ides of March approach, it is hard to believe I will ever again experience a summer garden. The outdoors is soggy, brown and altogether uninviting. This is the time of year when I wish I had written down all of the things I wanted to get done in this year's garden--but I didn't. Photos of last year's garden are worth at least a hundred words, however. For instance, in this one I am reminded that my lady's mantle (alchemilla mollis) has been taking over what used to be a row of roses and so I need to divide those plants and probably buy some new roses to fill in the row of what used to be hybrid tea roses. I will buy small shrub roses this time around, so as to keep a more constant color on this side of the border. The photo also reminds me that I lost a dark blue delphinium last year, since only a light blue and a medium blue remain, and so that, too, will need to be on my "to buy" list. The pergola is likely to need a new coat of stain this year, at least on top, because I was noticing some white flakes drifting down onto the pavers last summer.

The main thing I notice in this photo, however, is the tall row of Hanson Hedge Roses in the background. Those. From 20 little seedling a few years back, I now have a true hedge, over six feet tall, which is glorious when it blooms in June in a mass of single, pink roses. Unfortunately, the bushes are getting leggy and not-so-pretty at the bottom. A severe haircut is in order. This will mean a smaller bloom this year, or perhaps no bloom at all, but it has to be done because the hedge is impossible to mow around, is infringing on the roses between itself and the pergola, and is getting unsightly. Into the soggy, brown and altogether inviting outdoors I must go--as soon as the rain stops--and begin my pruning. Dividing the lady's mantle later on will seem like a small task by comparison. Or maybe I will just conveniently forget that I ever looked at this picture and was reminded that it should be done. After all, a row of lacy yellow lady's mantle can be a lovely sight in the summer garden.