The Grotto...Sept. 9, 2011~ A Year Later

A Spruce on each side of the Grotto was moved yesterday. The rose bushes were growing so big that they were crowding out the poor Spruce. We went over this afternoon to check on the Grotto gardens. Here it is a year after it was built. Joe did the building and I did most of the selection of the plants and planting. It is maturing quite nicely. The Knockout roses are so beautiful and have been in flower all but a couple of weeks...when they were resting.
Below is a side view...showing the Stella D'Oro lilies in front.
Now we move around to the back side, and you can see the Spruce that was moved. It was right up against those rose bushes and couldn't be seen. The other side is the same as this one.
Grasses planted at the back were planted by our Church's landscaper. He suggested native plants, so watering wouldn't be a problem. We ladies still take turns taking a week at a time for our ministry to the Church.
This is the other side of the Grotto. We were going to select some more perennials to fill in, but I think that this is just about perfect the way it is. Just enough room for the flowers to grow.
New names were put on many pavers. This picture shows only a portion of them.
This was a time consuming project. Joe ended up in the hospital for back surgery after finishing this job. He hired people to build it, but being a "hands on man" he was there everyday rain or shine to it's completion...helping in so many different ways. I promised some pictures a year later. I hope you enjoy seeing how it has progressed.

Balisha