June 6, 2018. A landscape chore neglected several years taught me a few things. Our suburban backyard is “yard” surrounded by a U-shaped “dog run”. Chain link fencing (once part of a cat fence-in of “yard”) proves an inviting trellis. Over the years we’ve planted deliberately while battling such as wild grape, cat brier, and a good many unknowns. Uncensored, Moonseed vine and Virginia creeper took over the section of chain link beside the back porch. Beyond, in what’s now the Labrador’s run between chain-link and wooden privacy fences, Mexican petunia (Ruellia) flourishes. I love those blooms – enough to tackle downing a mass of vines.
But I was in for a rude awakening: I was ripping down beauty in its own right, albeit not showy like Ruellia.