Thursday, December 29, 2011

The neighborhood message board

I post this as a warning to anyone who lives on a corner lot and is considering a landscape redo. If you plant like this: Then the poor little shrubby plant on the corner (sorry I have no idea what it is) is destined to become the neighborhood message board, for the dogs. I can’t walk past here without Lila having to stop and catch up on the gossip; it seems that every dog that passes must leave a message. Being a gardener I am extra sensitive to the possibility of her disturbing a landscape. She isn’t allowed to squat in a yard, she can sniff for information from those that have gone before, but can’t add a message of her own. You can tell from the bark dust on the sidewalk that many other dog owners have had to pull an unwilling canine way from the lil’shrub. I’m not sure what would have been a better choice for the corner, maybe a tree? Its trunk would be popular but might withstand the constant assault a bit better. Lawn, while never being an ideal choice in my book, would most likely go unnoticed by the four-legged set, maybe rocks? I just hope this little plant can “weather the storm” so to speak…I fear come spring it will show signs of too much "attention."

13 comments:

  1. I think the only thing that works in that situation is some kind of a fence. What's funny in our yard is that our tallest shrubs along the sidewalk are the ones that get hit. Our tall Italian Cyprus and Arborvitae get hit the most. The neighbor on the corner seems to get the yellow lawn spots.

    ReplyDelete
  2. that's funny! From the picture it looks like it could be some sort of hebe? I saw one a while back at a nursery that had some characteristics similar to it, but I'm def. not the best at identifying things!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I agree with Louis - looks like a hebe to me, but it could be a type of azalea, too. I always laughed when my dad took his dog for walks to check his pee-mail.

    On the not so funny side, I have spent two years battling dog pee on the vinca I'm trying to grow around our lawn and street trees. It's a losing battle, I'm afraid, since few people are as conscientious as you about where their dogs run or pee.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Looks like a Hebe to me with the characteristic arrangement of the leaves. I agree, the planting is all wrong for the dogs (and for other reasons too, but I won't get into that).

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ah yes...I am well aware of this phenomena! It's a sad truth that most dog owners aren't nearly as conscientious as you are...I've caught people letting their dogs walk all the way up into my garden...practically up to the house itself. We also have far too many dog owners who let their dogs run off-leash. Sadly, I love dogs...and honestly, they aren't to blame...it's the owners. Oh well...not much we can do...except maybe plant some cactus ;-) BTW...your dog is too cute...love her expression!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ann, thank god Arborvitae is as tough as nails! I don't notice a lot of yellow spots on the lawns here, and there is a park at the end of my block so a lot of dogs walk by en-route. I figured that in the winter when the grass is green there is so much rain that it dilutes the urine before it can burn. Then in the summer the lawns are dormant anyway so there's no chance of harm.

    Louis, that was my best guess too but since I really wasn't sure I left it out, glad you agree.

    MulchMaid, "pee-mail"...that's good! I shouldn't have sounded so virtuous as I do let her go in parking strips...but only on lawn never plants. She's got to go somewhere and she can't always make it to the park. And only the parking strip, never the actual yard. It's rationalizing I know.

    Lisa, 3 votes for Hebe! Ya...I thought about making a remark about the overall landscaping but then decided to keep my opinion on it to myself. It is new and professionally done (?!) and a lot better than what's been there for years. But still...

    scott, I see this same thing occur. They've been stepping up patrols in the park and ticketing folks who leave the off leash area with their dogs still off leash but that doesn't stop most of them. Just yesterday I watched a guy let his dog run all over the yards across the street and eventually stop to take care of "serious" business. At least he picked it up...but then he walked over to a neighbors who hadn't taken in her garbage can yet (pick up was the day before) and dropped the bag in her can. So bad! Especially since we only get garbage p/u every two weeks now. You shouldn't have to deal with someone else's dogs "stuff" in your can for 2 weeks!!! Rude.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Picture #4 is possibly the cutest dog picture ever!

    ReplyDelete
  8. That pug is cute! As for the story, it's irritating for me to watch some homeowners also squatting and more around these front yards. Some don't even clean up after their animals. Luckily in Tucson, cactus helps out:)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Peter, you have excellent taste!

    Rohrerbot, yes cactus do have a certain "keep out" quality that's hard to match.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I think that Hebe is robust enough to become the neighbourhood message board.

    Oh and that pug is gorgeous!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Eww! Yes, I'm thinking a low fence is in order here. Lila is completely adorable, however. Pony, I miss you!

    ReplyDelete
  12. A rock on the corner sounds like a good idea to me!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lila has the sweetest little face. She's a darling!

    A boulder, yes, or more than one large stone is a better corner anchor.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Comment moderation is on (because you know: spam), I will approve and post your comment as soon as possible!