... letting the garden go wild...

There is actually a tree behind the butterfly bush so it is a bit of an illusion

 A few years ago I was at a gardening workshop at a local greenhouse and I remember a woman being mortified when I mentioned how large I *allowed* my butterfly bushes to grow. In fact, in my backyard which isn't very big because I live in a town-house I prune but I don't really structure my plants. I like things to grow wild looking because ultimately I feel like my garden is my own secret space.

When the neighborhood children try to peep in (and they do), they can't see much in the summer. I mean, how much could you see through this butterfly bush madness!?! I'm allowed to sit and watch birds, red, or even grill on my wee (vegetarian) grill in peace. I also live across the street from a truck stop which to me isn't a problem at all because my community is extremely close to Interstate 95 and with my extreme commute, location is everything! The community has planted trees which mostly block the view of the trucks but adding vegetation to my own backyard blocks the white noise of the trucks, the squeals of children playing, and my gossipy neighbor who is always on the phone on her porch.

I love yard art. Here's a piece I picked up at the local ReFunkIt a few years ago.

Yeah, yeah, yeah I really do need to cut back this little guy but he just looks crazy and it makes me laugh. Plus, the wine and green colors of the foliage are gorgeous. I'm not being coy in withholding the plant's name... I can't recall at the moment. The garden should look a bit like this until late fall especially since Central Virginia typically has a mild climate (not so much last year but that's a different story). I look forward to sitting out in the garden when it becomes a bit cooler.