Out with the Old

I hate globe cedars (Thuja occidentalis). Thus, ours finally was removed from the yard when RLM decided that the half-dead shrub was beyond redemption. We had to wrap that tree in burlap every winter and it still had terrible brown winter kill on it. Even the clematis growing up its side didn't improve its appearance. In the end, the mass of brown had to go.

Now what to do with the stump? Either he gets some machinery in do dig it up, or I plant things around it to disguise it.
A lonely "Mount Hood" white daffodil that is blooming in today's rain:

On the other hand, the background shrubs in this photo are doing fairly well and are attractive with their clusters of white blooms that look like those of a white hydrangea. These are a compact variety of highbush cranberry (Viburnum trilobum):

The dome-shaped perennial in the center foreground (with some pink flowers) is Geranium macrorrhizum, a good creeping groundcover with a pine-like scent.
Asters in the center raised bed:

This poor pumpkin suffered cold damage when I brought it outside, but has recovered enough to grow and produce some flowers. As of yet, it is only producing male flowers. Later in the season, it should produce female ones from which we can get some pumpkins. I am trying to grow them in large pots, letting them trail down onto the ground. Hopefully this works!

Lastly, the cotton seed-carrying fluff of the poplar trees has created the appearance of snow blowing past our window with every summer breeze. I shudder thinking of all the seedlings we are going to have to deal with. The cotton is particularly heavy this year; I have never recalled it being this thick before.