I've learned something about myself that I never realised...I either like rampant growing plants... or I have poor judgement...or I like pruning. No, I don't think it is that last one. Strolling through the garden in the cool of the evening or morning deadheading or gathering herbs or a bouquet...that I like. But sawing off branches that break my favorite pole pruner or thinning the arbor and ending up with two piles of branches that are each almost as tall as me and doing all this with the sweat running down my back and face just really isn't that much fun. I know I've complained about the privets but now I find that my beloved wisteria is looked down on as too rampant for most gardens and even the Banksia rose that covers the arbor my Dad built for me a few years ago has been seen out of control over on Deirdre's blog.
Really...the wisteria just needs one good pruning when dormant and the occasional summertime clipping of a wayward tendril. The Banksia on the other hand is a bit "vigorous". I do have to trim it up several times each growing season and give it a good thinning/haircut at least once a year. I chose it because I wanted an evergreen, flowering, thornless vine for my arbor that could take lots of hot Central Valley summer sun. The Banksia has delivered on all accounts. And if it wants to be bigger than I bargained for...I guess that's the price I have to pay!
But the privets? Those I wish could magically disappear and be replaced by some pretty, unknown, evergreen 15 foot tall trees strategically placed right where the privets are to block views from neighboring houses. I don't want anyone watching me waging war with the pruning shears or gathering bouquets...I guess that says something about me, too, but I'll explore that self-realization another time.