The morning routine in October is now two-fisted, coffee in one hand, fly swatter in the other to dispatch the spider webs that proliferate overnight. I appreciate their predatory contributions and only knock down webs directly across paths, which seems fair. And their webslinging brings undeniably sublime effects.
Dodging spider webs in October brought home the realization that the small paths had shrunk even more as a result of OEP (overly exuberant planting).
Two beloved shrubs were sacrificed to widen the main path, casualties of OEP. Admittedly, there wasn’t even space for one 3×3′ shrub, let alone two, and the bupleurum seemed to be aiming more for 5×5′.
I’ve rooted cuttings of Senecio monroi and have it growing in the front garden, so no real loss there. And though I’ll only have memories of the bupleurum, at least I got a long-anticipated opportunity to grow this fine evergreen and make it somewhat happy. Pruning it to fit was in no way doing it justice.
A rinse of autumn has washed over the garden. No frost yet and none predicted until possibly the end of the month. We had a few days of rain early last week. A very different October from our first in 2021, when it rained every day.
OEP seems to be a problem for virtually every gardener I’ve ever met. Narrow paths are worth dealing with, though! – at least to a point. Your garden is looking great in any case. My spider population seems smaller this year, although I’ve still walked into a couple webs – and claiming that has probably just jinxed me. I love that Hebe.
Oh the spiders! So many this year… and with really big webs. There’s one in the back garden that has built a couple now that somehow manage to not block my path, while hanging right next to it. I’ve tried to get a photo but failed miserably. As you may have guessed, I too suffer from OEP. (I’m not sure how much you’re on FB these days, but there’s a blogger’s swap planned at Tamara’s next Sunday, the 12th, check out the FB Group for the event or let me know if you want more details)
So many webs, here too. We all struggle with OEP, especially obvious in October. The Senecio munroi when first planted looks so innocent!
That’s a gorgeous hebe and Plectranthus! The lighting in these is glorious.
The orb spiders are so pretty this time of year – I miss the brightly colored ones of the Midwest. I’m struggling where to put a Bupleurum fruticosum I bought this last summer – you are right, they get big, and it gets old to prune them back all the time. My Brachyglottis/Senecio monroi has never gotten monstrous – seems to be a polite smaller subshrub in my garden to 18″ over 3-5 years if I am lucky. Your site must be more to it’s liking. Certainly more polite than the other Brachyglottis greyi. That Hebe recurva looks outstanding! Must try it.
Hey, I like the term OEP. Glad I am not the only one. There’s a central pathway into our vegetable garden that is completely inaccessible due to me allowing things to seed and sucker. Will change soon. Nice that you are having a milder and drier Fall so you still get to putter and enjoy the garden. The Hebe recurva is gorgeous. Looks kind of like an ornamental pepper.
Recently moved to California and am so glad to find this blog. I first was reading your posts from 2011, I love the tidbits of information. Its exactly what I’ve been searching for.
@Kris, I’m wishing you some OEP when you commence fall planting!
@Loree, thanks for the plant swap info. I hope it was a good one! Tamara alerted me and at the last minute I opted out due to the rain.
@Tracy, yes the OEP is revealed in all its chaos at the end of summer! So enjoying your posts on the new planting you’re doing.
@Jerry, I wish I had a place for another bupleurum where it didn’t have to be pruned all the time — unfortunately not in this garden.
@Elaine, funny how many commented on the hebe! It’s said to grow to 2×2′ which if true would be manageable.
@Isabelle, thank you for letting me know the tidbits are helpful! Best of luck to you.