Opportunistic Bee Balm is having a great time elbowing other plants aside to gather as much sunlight as possible. I planted those little wads of roots a few years ago, and they absorbed two very rainy summers in a row to dominate the upper air spaces, side spaces, and spaces over the driveway and sidewalk.
When I cut a bunch of them in half to spare our postman, the remnants bloomed immediately at knee height.
Meanwhile, the Joe Pye is subordinate to no plant. Where Bee Balm reaches six feet, Joe Pye reached eight feet and gently spreads its strong branches upward to cast shade on any interloper. The enormous bulbous blooms add to the shade below and no paisano weeds try to grow in the stygian darkness below.
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| We had the entire front yard covered with wood mulch on cardboard. Now plants and weeds compete for sunlight and rabbits walk securely in the shade. |
Ranger Bob knocked on the door Sunday afternoon and Sassy began issuing orders for Milk Bone. They are a series of sharp barks that make conversation impossible, until I go to the garage and get one to hand to Bob. Sassy pranced off to enjoy her treat, and Bob said in a conspiratorial voice, "Did you know what is out there? You have to do something!?"
"What?"
"Two hummers are at your feeders and they need changing, immediately. I'll help."
Sassy came back to keep Bob in line and Mrs. Ichabod joined the group to enjoy the shade and conversation. PFC was excused to visit his grandmother.
The hummingbirds appeared again and Bob said, "I will grab the feeders, you get them washed and filled." He strolled into the garden and grabbed the two busiest ones.
I told a Facebook/reader friend about this, and got this response, "Bob obeys Sassy, and you obey Bob."
The conversation turned to a mutual appreciation of telescopes and astronomy and soon we were in the chapel looking at used books on astronomy.
My favorite book on the topic followed us on our journeys, but was given away twice. I had the hardback, then the paperback. The paperback of Ferris' Galaxies sells for $200 now.
