Characters:
The Plucky Gardener
The Birds
The Bugs
Spring
Dogwood, Cherry, Weeping Willow, Forsythia, Rhododendron, Azalea, Dianthus, Daffodils, Peonies, Tulips, Magnolia, Phlox, Verbenas, Pansies, Lilac Shrubs.
Summer
White Geraniums, Japanese Anemones, Butterfly Bush, Peppers (jalape¤os, tepins, habaneros), Daylilies, Roses, Hydrangeas, Japanese Maple, Crape Myrtle.
Fall
Asters, Chrysanthemums, Sedum, Gourds (pumpkins, squash), “Rudy Haag” Burning Bush, Viburnum, Oakleaf Hydrangea, Virginia Creeper, Japanese Maple.
Winter
Evergreens, Winterberry Holly, Blue Spruce, Dwarf Alberta Spruce (in containers), Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick, Red Osier Dogwood (because of red bark), Ornamental Grasses (blue fescue).
Act I: Spring
In which the plucky gardener discovers a wealth of colorful options and must learn to organize the garden so that everything has its place. Plants of all sizes must be considered, as well as shade trees and groundcover, leading into summer. Colorful annuals come in to fill the gaps until perennials hit maturity.
Songs:
“Hoping for the Best, Planning for Blisters”
“When Forsythia and Dogwood Come Knockin’, It Must Be Spring”
“Stackin’ Up Color: The Groundcover to Tall Tree Song”
“Laughing at Weeping (Thinkin’ ‘Bout Shape ‘n’ Texture)”
“Late Spring Blues (O Come, All Ye Lilacs)”
Act II: Summer
In which the plucky gardener has adventures with the color green, finds out the garden can become a full-time job and learns that “unruly” is just another word for a natural look.
Songs:
“I’m the General of This Army (No Wait, You Are)”
“The Pinking Shear Shuffle (Just Prunin’ the Old Blooms)”
“Butterflies Is Just Flowers in the Sky”
“The Butterfly Bush and Other Weeds I’ve Loved”
“My Eyes Are on Fire (From Them Colorful Peppers)”
“Keep That Compost Heap A-Turnin’, Keep That Sun A-Burnin'”
Act III: Fall
In which the plucky gardener is thankful for the color of gourds and the harvest fruits, vegetables and berries, is seduced by a beautiful invasive plant, fights dropping temperatures, dampness and fungus, and learns what to do when the colors fade.
Songs:
“Mum’s the Word”
“Them Gourds Are Yellow (And I Like It)”
“Picking Up After the Kids: The Leaf Litter Song”
“This Beauty Will Invade My Life (Gotta Keep That Burning Bush Controlled)”
“Sedums ‘Tween My Toes, Put Away the Hose”
“Fireworks in the Leaves (That’s Dynamite!)”
“Is It Subtly Gorgeous Out Here, Or Is It Just You, Japanese Maple?”
“When Gold Turns to Brown, I’m Glad I’ve Got Texture”
Act IV: Winter
In which the plucky gardener discovers shape and texture keep the appeal when the color has gone south for the winter, that dwarf evergreens in pots keep things moving, that holly berries keep the birds around and that a naked garden can look especially beautiful when it’s sleeping.
Songs:
“Take It Off, Take It Off (Lemme See That Pretty Bark)”
“I Take My Dwarf Evergreen Wherever I Go: The Container Song”
“Blue Spruce, Blue Fescue (The Blues Is Cheerin’ Me Up)”
“Gonna Take My Garden to Bed, Gonna Cover It With Mulch That Sure Ain’t Red”
“Passin’ Thru (O How the Birds Love Holly Berries!)”
“White’s a Color Too (Don’t Worry Trees, Snow Sets Off Your Figure)”
“Can’t Wait for Next Year’s Blisters”
And curtain.
