Tuesday, March 17, 2009

A Time To Plant & A Time To Uproot


I had to say goodbye to my Mimosa tree over the
weekend. A collapse in the septic system meant new
lines had to be put in and of course my little Mimosa tree
was in the way and had to be uprooted.



It was just getting big enough to get some beautiful
blooms on it last summer. The butterflies and hummingbirds
just flocked to it when it was in bloom.
A few years ago I had a large one between the garage and
the house but it became a problem where it was located so
it was cut down.



They can get a little messy when the blooms and seed pods
start dropping so always plant them in an open area where
the seed pods can be raked up easily. That was the reason
for cutting the older one down, it left a mess on the garage
roof and eaves, and left a mess on the sidewalks and flower
beds below it.




I have two other small ones that I planted three years ago
and they do grow very fast and bloom after about seven
years so all is not lost and there will be Mimosa's
blooming again in a few years and far enough away from
creating any problems.

Many consider it an invasive tree because of the seed pods
cause spreading of the trees. In all my years I have seen maybe
ten new trees starting from seed in my beds or yard of
which I easily just pulled up. They are also spread if planted
near streams where the pods travel down stream.
So this are all considerations when deciding to plant a Mimosa
new Mimosa tree.


Planted in the right areas their beauty, fragrance and
blooms which draws butterflies and humming birds into the yard
far out weigh the minor inconvenience of raking a few seed pods
and pulling up a few new sprouts when I am weeding.


.


Since this is St. Patrick's Day, to all of those who are Irish and to
us who are of Irish descent:

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.

May luck be our companion
May friends stand by our side
May history remind us all
Of Ireland's faith and pride.
May God bless us with happiness
May love and faith abide.

And:

As you slide down the banister of life,
May the splinters never point in the wrong direction!

Some Irish Gold in the Irish Gold Rose





13 comments:

Jan said...

They are pretty trees but I've heard many stories of woe regarding their qualities...I think the seed pods are pretty too. Happy St Patricks Day!

Becky Garrison said...

Oh my! And I'd be celebrating! I think they are lovely in bloom, but they are like weeds down here, and I wouldn't have one in my yard - and won't if I can help it - period! However, so sorry for your loss, lol!

Becky

Anonymous said...

I love Mimosa trees! I've never had one though so my view has always been a distant one. The foliage alone makes the tree a beauty but when it blooms, pure delight. I'm sorry that you had to lose the one pictured. It's got such beautiful structure, something that doesn't happen over night. Best wishes for your other specimens.

tina said...

Good info on the mimosa. Too bad yours had to go, but you are lucky to have some back ups. They are very controversial down here, but also very lovely in bloom. I had hubby stop on the side of the road so I could smell one and look at it up close. They are so pretty.

Cathy S. said...

Oh, those Mimosa Trees are amazingly beautiful,
Happy St. Patty's day to you!

Connie said...

Sorry about you losing your Mimosa....it was elegant looking.

Tiffany said...

Happy St. Patty's Day & thanks for stopping by my blog :)
We used to have a mimosa tree when I lived in Miami...it would drop blossoms and tiny little leaves EVERYWHERE. And the blossoms would stain our decking. But it's unfortunate you had to lose such a nice looking tree. Hope the digging up of the yard is over quickly!

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

We had a mimosa tree too and it had to be cut down. They are really pretty. Hope your new ones bloom soon for you(-:
Happy St. Pattys Day!!!

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

The mimosa tree is very pretty. I'd heard of them but never saw one before.
I like your last saying about the splinters :)

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

The mimosa tree really reseeds itself quite well in our area. I have been curious about the newer variety ...the one with black foliage. I would give that one a try.

Debbie's Garden said...

There was a mimosa by my Grandmothers when I was little. I used to think it was the song Elvis was singing about "I'm itching like a man in a fuzzy tree.. I'm in love, I'm all shook up"

Anonymous said...

I didn't even know that mimosas would grow here in this area. And they attract butterflies and hummers? Hmmm, might have to add this to my wish list!

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Lona girl .. I know this is an old post but seeing that tree made me very curious ! Did you plant a new one after this poor one had to come out ? and the post written on St. Paddy's Day last year was perfect .. this coming from an O'Connor *GRIN* !!
Joy : )