Sweet Garden Escapes

New Terrarium: The Zen Fluter

2012-01-08T20:05:00.005-05:00

Winter Splendor

2011-12-31T19:23:00.000-05:00

The U.S. Botanic Gardens had a knock-out Winter Display this year, but just as impressive were the wild array of interesting containers set among the grounds. I was captivated by their beauty, and wowed by the spectacular presentation.

Wordless Wednesday: Pastel Pretty

2011-12-28T21:44:00.000-05:00

-- African Violets

Woodland Waterfall and Stream

2011-12-27T12:21:00.010-05:00

I've longed to add the movement and sound of water to my garden, but with young children in the household, adding a pond is simply out of the question. While searching for alternatives, the idea of installing a Pondless Waterfall began to take hold, and now I am gathering ideas for inspiration. It would look so natural in my Woodland Garden, viewable from the deck and serving as an enticing shady retreat for both the birds and my family. I'm not sure how feasible (or costly) the project would be, as it would require adding a power source and perhaps lighting, but definitely this is a path worth exploring.

Probable Site for Water Feature:

Design Ideas (Google Images):

Terrariums - Tiny Tabletop Gardens

2011-12-26T20:48:00.013-05:00

Interesting how an idea can implant in your head, and grow and grow until it becomes an obsession. I came across a $5 terrarium gift plant while at Home Depot many weeks ago, and then the latest issue of Better Homes and Gardens had an article on how to create terrariums, and so today I scooped up the supplies and decided to try one. I AM HOOKED! There are so many possibilities, so much opportunity to really get creative, and the final product is effortlessly elegant.

Creation #1: Jungle Tiger

Creation #2: Resting Birds

Creation #3: Desert Orchid

Creation #4: Silver Forrest

Whenever I glimpse these tiny wonders, I feel transported to a tropical fantasy world, and best of all they are a self-sustaining eco-system that practically take care of themselves. I now have a New Hobby in 2012!

Spring 2012 New Designs

2011-12-24T10:03:00.004-05:00

As winter sets in, I am dreaming up grand new plans for my 2012 Garden. I will expand the Sun Perennial Border at the face of my house, to allow for 3 full rows of shrubs/perennials/annuals, and I will incorporate more plants that will create 3-season interest and a long bloom season.

Back Row: Satsuki Azaleas, Rose 'Harlow Carr', Itea 'Little Henry'
Middle Row: Sedum 'Autumn Joy', Lavender 'Munstead', Euphorbia 'Blackbird'
Front Row: Zinna Pinwheel 'Raspberry Lemondade', Garden Mums, Dianthus 'Baths Pink'

On the opposite end of this border, I will also widen it by about a foot and add a few additional plants.

Mid-Back: Baptisia Australis
Front: Fountain Grass 'Hameln'
Front Edging (left): Centaurea "Gold Bullion"

It will all be so AMAZING!!

Ice and Fire

2011-12-20T15:05:00.008-05:00

As Christmas descends upon us, I find the greatest gift of all to be a simple day spent outside. These early weeks of Winter have been so very mild, often almost Spring-like, and the more time I spend outdoors the more I yearn to add more winter-interest to my garden. I have great appreciation for plants that manage to look good in the depths of December or January, and below are five favorites:

Carex 'Evergold'
This gorgeous evergreen mounded grass perennial is worth it's weight in gold. It literally requires no maintenance and is a standout in shady areas that needs a pop of pizazz.

Nandina 'Firepower'
While not my favorite shrub by any means, I can't dismiss the appeal of an evergreen that keeps a compact habit and glows red all winter long.

Mahonia Bealei
This burly yet beautiful shrub has some fearsome thorns, yet the most exquisite flowers and berries in Spring. Already the yellow flowers are waiting to unfurl themselves, and I can't wait to see it.

Euphorbia 'Rainbow ascot'
I bought this perennial on a clearance table last summer, and have been wowed ever since, so much so that I believe I may try to find a spot for it in the garden. Currently it's in a container on my deck and doing fine, but I'd love to add whole swaths of it in the garden somewhere.

Nandina domestica
The traditional Nandina, with it's graceful cleaved foliage and bright red berries, has now settled in nicely after being transplanted too many times to count, and I just love the bright red berries. They really sing *Christmas*.

November Joy

2011-11-05T19:04:00.015-04:00

The crisp cool days of November have arrived, which means no more pesky mosquitoes, and time to plant bulbs and rake leaves. While basking in the joy of this sunny sweet day, I accomplished many chores and got all my tulips and lilys in the ground. My husband was also productive, both mowing and fertilizing the front lawn. We worked hard, but also (literally) took time to smell the roses. I also did not forget to grab my camera. Here's a snapshot of what's happening in the garden:

Rock Garden
The Serviceberry has hit its peak color, showing off fire orange foliage. The ornamental birdhouses are really set off nicely along this backdrop, and I'm convinced that the way to add more charm to a garden, is to incorporate more Garden Accents.

Wooded Back
The Tulip Trees and assorted woodland at the back of our property line are thrilling to watch at this time of year. They are majestic and gorgeous and honestly, they are the main reason why we fell in love with this property when searching for our first home.

Woodland Garden
This border was only installed 2yrs ago, yet it looks as if it's always been there. I will keep adding to this area until it's completely filled in, but already I'm feeling that it is 90% done, and that is a really good feeling (and a relief).

Shade Perennial Border
Hostas are just such great plants, and several have turned golden yellow which is an added joy. This border area is like night-and-day compared to what we started with, and I'm terribly proud of what it has become.

My Family
The greatest joy of all, is the family that I am so blessed to share my life and these great November days with. The children are growing as fast as the trees, and we are always building wonderful memories as we work together, in our garden.

Wordless Wednesday: Earth Alien

2011-10-26T21:27:00.000-04:00

Tiny Toad-Lily Treat

2011-10-24T21:40:00.007-04:00

Little Miss Discreet,
fuzzy, exotic, mottled
understated treat.

Autumn Glory

2011-10-22T23:06:00.015-04:00

Today was another wonderfully sweet Autumn weekend, and I went apple-picking with my family at Stribling Orchard which was quite the fun adventure. Upon arriving home, we all headed back outside and spent the afternoon puttering around the deck and working on yard projects, and I managed to do a walk-around the property to take some snapshots of the garden in its Fall Glory.

Front Entry Garden
The Japanese Maple is now blazing red, and I've set up a Fall Harvest Scene in front. The Sedum 'Autumn Joy' has now turned brick red, perfectly complementing the Maple.

Sun Perennial Border
Last year, I planted Garden Mums as annuals, but they overwintered so well that I went ahead and kept them, and now this year they've come back bigger and badder than I could have expected. I wish I had more sunny spots in my garden for more Mums.

Kousa Dogwood
The bright orange leaves of the Kousa make a real impact, and this is one of the most high performing trees in my garden. I adore this tree.

Rock Garden
The Serviceberry 'Autumn Brilliance' has officially been in my garden for one year. It was a perfect addition and the leaves are coloring up nicely, and I couldn't be more pleased with this all-star understory tree.

Assorted Woodland
The trees at the back of my property are lit up with color, and the birdhouse that my husband built fits in so perfectly among this backdrop. The Redbud 'Forest Pansy' trio is golden yellow now, and a favorite shrub of mine, Bottlebrush Buckeye is also aglow with golden leaves.

I am so grateful to be the caretaker of this great garden, and I look forward to watching it continue to grow and thrive and flourish.

Wordless Wednesday: Ivory Perfection

2011-10-19T23:03:00.001-04:00

-- Rose "Summer Fashion"

Wordless Wednesday: Sunny Side Up

2011-10-12T13:52:00.001-04:00

--Japanese Anemones at National Arboretum

National Capital Orchid Society

2011-10-08T22:30:00.005-04:00

The 64th Annual Orchid Show & Sale at the National Arboretum was as spectacular as ever, and I am always thrilled to see such an abundance of enchanting orchids on display. The variety of plants for sale makes this the absolute best opportunity of the year for orchid shopping, and I brought home 3 Cattleyas and 1 Miltonia. I'm trying hard to keep my orchid collection basic, with a focus on Phalenopsis, but it is so hard to resist a pretty flower. The latest craze seems to be miniature orchids, and definitely that's a trend I'm happy to jump on.

Late Summer Yardwork

2011-09-12T17:27:00.012-04:00

I am on a quest to reduce my load of Yardwork, in order to free up more time for the far more pleasurable act of Gardening. It can be a fine line which separates gardening from yardwork, but I count digging holes and lawn maintenance as work. My husband on the other hand, like most men for some peculiar reason, takes pride in cultivating a pristine lawn. For him it's a hobby, not mere "yardwork". He de-thatched and re-seeded the front lawn yesterday, and is determined to make it Best in Show in the cul-de-sac.

Meanwhile, I dug 12 holes in my Front Entry Garden and embedded "permanent" 1 gal pots, so that I will never have to dig holes there again. I will simply slip pots of Annuals or Bulbs into the embedded containers, ensuring a year-round show of color and interest, and then I can slip them out and replace once the show is finished.

In addition to reducing the amount of hole-digging that I typically do each season, I am also trying to limit the time spent pulling weeds. I planted a group of 5 Ajuga 'Burgundy Glow' under the Crape Myrtle 'Petite Orchid' next to the Garage, and hopefully they will spread into a thick mat to block out the persistent weeds.

With the arrival of the cooler days of late summer, it's such a pleasure to spend time out in the garden tackling projects and making progress!

Wordless Wednesday: A Bicolor Sensation

2011-09-07T14:20:00.000-04:00

-- Lantana

A Second Chance

2011-09-05T19:03:00.011-04:00

Five years ago I had a thriving Orchid Collection with around two dozen Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, Cattleya, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum, Vanda, and Cymbidium. And then my son arrived in the Summer of 2008, and then we bought a house in 2009 which shifted all my focus and energy to my outdoor garden, and finally another baby arrived in Spring 2011. The orchids withered away throughout all these transitions, downed by mealy bugs, starvation and thirst, and general lack of care. I figured it a lost cause, and after the last frost this year I dragged their corpses from the basement and sat them in a corner on the deck to await a trip to the Compost Pile. But then weeks turned into months, and as they lay forgotten a few began to show some signs of life. Surviving with only Mother Nature's water, and the high humidity of a Mid-Atlantic Summer, 3 managed to make a comeback. Today I gave them a good soaking, trimmed their roots and divided one, then re-potted. Thankfully, I've now been given a second chance to cultivate a glorious Orchid Collection.

Falling for Garden Mums

2011-09-04T21:10:00.007-04:00

With the arrival September, I had been looking to add a splash of Fall Color to my Mailbox Butterfly Garden, and so I swapped out the Salvia 'May Night' for a trio of hardy Chrysanthemums. I never much appreciated Mums before, but after discovering that they actually do over-winter quite well and are not mere disposables, I have a new found respect for hardworking Hardy Mums. They light up a garden and contribute flower power just when it's needed most, and so I will always make a place in my garden for this great Autumn wonder.

Wordless Wednesday: Works in Progress

2011-08-31T15:17:00.000-04:00

Fall Bulb Order

2011-08-30T21:15:00.008-04:00

My John Scheepers' Dutch Bulbs order has just been placed, and I'm gearing up for their arrival and have been dreaming of the impact they will make in the garden come Spring 2012. There are so many wonderful colors and shapes when it comes to tulips, and it was quite difficult to pick and choose, but I'm happy with my final selections.

TULIP BALLADE (50)
Placement: Front Entry Garden under Japanese Maple

TULIP CLUSIANA LADY JANE (50)
Placement: Deckside Garden Bed

TULIP FANCY FRILLS (20)
Placement: Containers

TULIP MAUREEN (20)
Placement: Shade Perennial Border under Flowering Dogwood

NARCISSUS PROFESSOR EINSTEIN (10)
Placement: Woodland Garden

NARCISSUS GOLDEN ECHO (10)
Placement: Mailbox Butterfly Garden

LILY SPECIOSUM RUBRUM /SPECIES (5)
Placement: Woodland Garden near bench

LILY ANASTASIA /ORIENPET (5)
Placement: To be determined...

Mosaic Stepping Stones

2011-08-29T00:38:00.002-04:00

My crafty side has reared its head, and I'm on a mission to create a collection of mosaic stepping stones for my garden. I started about a week ago, and with my sweet little boy helping out, we crafted our very first creation.

The project was supremely easy, and for someone like me who generally lacks patience, super quick as well. I designed the pattern in my head as the cement was being poured into the mold.

After 2 days of drying, I was so very pleased with the finished product. It's totally perfect, and I can't wait to do it again.

$3.33 Hostas

2011-08-28T23:08:00.009-04:00

Today I stumbled across an incredible deal that made me do a double-take; Lowe's had 1 gal Hostas priced at $3.33 each! Altogether I purchased 15 of them: 1 Hosta 'Minuteman', 1 Hosta 'Dream Queen', 2 Hosta 'Yellow River', and 11 Hosta 'Francee'. The Hosta 'Francee' will be mass planted to form a groundcover under the new Crape Myrtle, and I'll likely divide some of them to cover even more ground. I really lucked out today, and I will bask in the glow of my great fortune while I'm outside digging 20+ holes tomorrow morning.

Update: The Hosta Groundcover is now installed!

The Best Flower in the World

2011-08-25T22:12:00.016-04:00

Of all the impressive and amazing heart-stopping flowers that exist in the world, if I could only pick one it would have to be that of the Tree Peony. I discovered one of these gorgeous specimens already in existence on my property in Spring 2009, and I've dreamed of adding more to the garden ever since. Finally, today I just placed an order with Klehm's Song Sparrow for a Fall delivery of the below twosome (pictures courtesy of the website). I am going to plant them out in the dappled shade of my Woodland Garden, right next to the stone bench which I will soon be shopping for, and I just know that this will be the most magical spot in the whole of my garden.

Peony Tree 'Hephestos'

Peony Tree 'Kamada Fuji'

Wordless Wednesday: Blushing Beauty

2011-08-24T10:11:00.001-04:00

-- Rose "Summer Fashion"

Crape Myrtle 'Natchez'

2011-08-21T19:52:00.005-04:00

Today I brought home the newest member of my family, a gorgeous ornamental tree that is sure to provide many days of viewing pleasure for years to come. Crape Myrtle 'Natchez' will eventually reach an impressive height of 20-30 ft, blooming in late-summer with long-lived white flowers, and having flaming orange-red foliage in Autumn. The exfoliating bark will reveal an attractive cinnamon colored trunk as the tree ages, and this Super Star specimen tree is disease resistant and very low-maintenance. I have struggled in the past to find the perfect plant for this part of the garden, but now that I've settled on the Crape Myrtle, the rest of the planning will be easy.

Wordless Wednesday: Wood Chimes

2011-08-17T13:48:00.004-04:00

Remaking a Dead Spot

2011-08-16T14:15:00.009-04:00

There is one area of my garden that frustrates and disappoints me like no other, and I just don't know what to make of it. Last year I tried to re-brand this area as a Lily Garden after I planted a whole collection of lily bulbs, but somehow that scheme simply did not work. Today I went out and took pictures, and now I know why...

The area is actually quite massive. A few dozen bulbs can't possibly make an impact in a space this large. Now, I am trying to figure out a new strategy as I attempt a re-design for the second time.

I love trees, and it recently occurred to me that it would be quite wonderful to have a Crape Myrtle 'Natchez' on the property, so now I am lending towards installing one here.

The sun situation is rather suitable for a Crape Myrtle, and with a large specimen tree filling up most of the space, I would then be saved the expense of buying dozens of additional plants (shrubs, perennials, more bulbs). Definitely this is the direction I am leaning towards, after giving it more thought, and I hope to have a solution in the near future.

What's In Bloom?

2011-08-15T23:55:00.003-04:00

It's Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - August 2011 edition, and here in the Mid-Atlantic Zone 7a our gardens are at last getting a reprieve after many many weeks of hot dry weather during the month of July. Currently the following perennials are in bloom in my garden:

Anemone 'September Charm'

Daylily (unknown cultivar)

Fountain Grass 'Hameln'

Scabiosa 'Butterfly Blue'

Butterfly Garden
The real standout of the moment are the Acidenthera, a fragrant flowering bulb native to Ethiopia. I'm not sure if they're a keeper, but for now I appreciate having them since the rest of this bed is winding down.

Hosta 'Royal Standard'

Hosta 'Fragrant Dream'

Wordless Wednesday: Aquamarine Glow

2011-08-10T14:06:00.002-04:00

-- Hosta 'Masquerade'

Eastern Box Turtle

2011-08-09T14:38:00.005-04:00

After a heavy rainshower this weekend, my husband spotted a delightful little turtle in the Hosta Border area. This is the first time that we have seen a turtle in our garden, and it's nice to know that they are around to serve as natural slug-control. My son was so excited to see the turtle, and so we brought it inside for a brief time before releasing the bright-eyed little critter back into the wild of my backyard.

Wordless Wednesday: Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans'

2011-07-27T17:15:00.002-04:00

Wordless Wednesday: Weeds Be Gone!

2011-07-13T12:50:00.000-04:00

My Hosta Collection

2011-07-09T23:03:00.004-04:00

Quite by accident, I've stumbled into being a Hosta Collector, swayed by the ease and charm of this most reliable perennial for the shade garden. There are endless varieties of Hosta, they range from giant-sized to teeny-tiny, with colors from dark or silvery blue to electric variegated creams and green, and many are fragrant. Hostas feature prominently in my Shade Perennial Border, as well as in many containers on my deck, and with my collection growing every year I think now it's time for me to begin compiling a list of them all. So far I have about 15 different cultivars. Perhaps one day there will be 100!

My Hosta Collection
Hosta So Sweet
Hosta Big Daddy
Hosta Striptease
Hosta Zounds (?)
Hosta Hadspen Blue
Hosta Masquerade
Hosta Royal Standard
Hosta Frances Williams
Hosta Golden Tiara
Hosta Wide Brim
Hosta Patriot
Hosta Fragrant Dream
Hosta Fragrant Bloom
Hosta Stained Glass
Hosta Elegans

Hosta Wishlist
Hosta Risky Business
Hosta Rainbow's End
Hosta Orange Marmalade
Hosta Hush Puppy
Hosta Pandora's Box
Hosta Lakeside Cupcake

The Essence of Summer

2011-07-05T15:43:00.006-04:00

If I have another daughter, I may be tempted to name her Daisy, as I adore the cheerful sunny Shasta Daisy 'Becky' and all the other flowering perennials which mimic her. The Rudbeckia 'Goldstrum' and Echinacea 'Magnus' pair spectacularly with Shasta Daisy, and the trio are super easy to grow and require practically no maintenance to boot. My Butterfly Garden has really come into its own, with all the flowers now in peak bloom, and the Shasta Daisy is the star.

Shade Containers

2011-07-02T17:56:00.012-04:00

Recently I cooked up a couple of new container combos, and I'm really liking the effect of perennials grown in containers. Delicate miniature hostas that would get trampled or eaten by rabbits in the ground, can be appreciated and enjoyed up close and personal when in a pot, and of course perennials tend to be more cost effective in the long run when compared to annuals. To liven up my deck, I'm gradually expanding my collection of planters each year, and it's fun playing matchmaker when choosing a container and its contents.

Ingredients: Coleus, Hosta 'Striptease', Fern 'Autumn Brilliance', Fuchsia, Impatiens

Ingredients: Polemonium, Hosta 'Hadspen Blue', Impatiens

Finally this year, I decided to make good use of this shelf which has been with me forever. There are 2 houseplants summering outside (Pony Tail Palm and Pothos), a pot of Impatiens and Begonias contributing the flowering power of annuals, and a couple of "specimen" perennials.

-- Hosta 'Masquerade'

-- Heuchera 'Midnight Rose'

I love all the new shades of Impatiens. No more having to settle for basic white or pastel pinks and purples, as there are so many vivid and interesting colors on the market these days. A shade garden just wouldn't be a shade garden without Impatiens, and this is one annual that I will never tire of.

The Scent of a Lily

2011-06-28T12:05:00.022-04:00

The fragrance of Oriental and Orientpet Lilies is simply outstanding, and it literally takes only one cut flower to perfume an entire room. I'm looking forward to adding more (many more) of these bulbs to my garden come Autumn, especially the surprisingly super-fragrant Orienpets. Rabbits can be a problem for me, they gnaw off the flower buds of my lilies each Spring if I'm not careful to spray repellent in time, but with the Orienpets this is not a problem as their impressive height keeps them safe from the rabbits. Now, I just need to think of companion plants to go with the lilies. Gardening never ends for me, I am always always tinkering in the garden.

Lily 'Muscadet'

Orienpet Lily 'Satisfaction'

Heavenly Hydrangeas

2011-06-24T08:35:00.010-04:00

I cannot think of a more perfect bloom for flower arrangements than that of the Hydrangea. They definitely have the *wow* factor, and seemingly last forever in a vase. This morning I went out to cut a few to make an Imprompu Bouquet.

It turned out so great that I decided to create a second arrangement to give to my neighbors. They have always been so kind, and after the birth of my baby girl this Spring they brought over such nice gifts.

After scrubbing out an old jam jar, I cut a strip of green scrapbook paper and then glued on a row of individual Hydrangea florets for extra decoration. I love the effect and will have to try more crafty projects like this in the future.

Wordless Wednesday: Giant Elephant Ears

2011-06-22T11:26:00.002-04:00

-- Colocasia esculenta

Sensational Shade Shrubs

2011-06-20T19:41:00.011-04:00

Thankfully there are a great many shrubs that will thrive (and flower) in the shade, and just a few days ago my Aesculus parviflora ('Bottlebrush Buckeye') came into full bloom. This is really an outstanding shrub, and the large wispy flowers are mildly fragrant and last a long time. The Aesculus is definitely happy in its home and has produced double the flowers compared to last year.

I planted a grouping of three Hydrangea 'Blushing Bride' shrubs next to the floating deck earlier this Spring, and they have really taken off in only a short period of time. They wilt on hot sunny days, but otherwise this is a wonderful shrub and Hydrangeas are always a great edition to any shady space.

Then (April 2011):

Now:

During the 2011 Spring, I have added installed several additional shrubs to my garden, including Viburnum 'Carlesii' and the supremely elegant Hydrangea 'Twist-n-Shout'. Hydrangeas are so hard to resist, and I'm sure to add more of them as soon as I find a place to put them.

My most ambitious project to date in the garden, has been the creation of the Woodland Side Border. I installed a mixed evergreen hedge to the back along the property line last month, using 3 Skip Laurels, 2 Sasanqua Camellias which I transplanted, and 2 Azalea 'Delaware Valley'. These shrubs will provide much needed winter structure. I also put in one more tree, Cornus Kousa 'Samaritan'.

I love my trees, but it's the shrubs that get me most excited each season.

What's In Bloom?

2011-06-15T23:51:00.017-04:00

All across the U.S.A., gardeners are rejoicing at the beauty of JUNE BLOOMS. To catch a peak of at least 150 gardens for this month's Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, go check out Carol's blog "May Dream Gardens"! In my own garden there are sun-perennials blooming, as well as hydrangeas and a few roses, and I love how fresh everything is looking.

Front Entry Container
This container was planted up in late-April with Cordyline Australis 'Red Star', Marguerite Daisy, and Mandevilla Dipladenia. After shearing the daisies in May, they've just pushed out a fresh crop of new blooms.

Daylily
I wish these were the re-blooming type of Daylily, but alas I enjoy them when I can, and they add so much cheer to the entry garden.

Lavender
This fragrant herb is a hit with the bees, and I'm so happy I chose to plant it.

Astilbe 'Maggie Daley'
I am very impressed with this lovely magenta-hued Astilbe, it is a true knock-out and so richly pigmented.

Hydrangea 'Endless Summer'
A great blooming shrub for shade, I am wowed with how long the cut flowers last in a vase. However I am not pleased with the droopiness and all the wilting during the heat of the day. I plan to install Peony hoops to give these two a lift.

Rose 'Sunsprite'
This is a new addition that I recently found at the grocery store, and it is being grown in a Container on the Deck. The fragrance is really spectacular.

Asiatic Lily 'Vermeer'
This is a gorgeous lily, the pink-white color really pops.

Mailbox Butterfly Garden
Considering there was nothing here at all just three months ago, I am completely thrilled with my new Butterfly Garden. It has filled in so well and looks great! The color theme has now transitioned from being predominately purple (Clematis, Irises, Salvia), to mostly white and yellow (Yarrow, Daylilies, Shasta Daisies and Zinnia).

Wordless Wednesday: Peach Blossoms

2011-06-08T19:22:00.002-04:00

--Rose Garden at Brookside Gardens, June 2011

Wordless Wednesday: Late Red Azalea

2011-06-01T14:06:00.002-04:00

Monticello Plantation

2011-05-31T13:16:00.012-04:00

Before the Memorial Day Weekend got fully underway, I day-tripped down to Charlottesville on Thursday with my family to tour another piece of Historic Virginia. Thomas Jefferson's Monticello Estate is well-preserved, the gardens are historically accurate, and the guided-tours very effectively provided added-value to the experience. It was a massive enterprise keeping a plantation going, and I find it interesting to learn about the day-to-day routines and rhythms of life in past times. Of course, like most wealthy plantation owners of the era, Thomas Jefferson held hundreds of men, women and children in bondage, stealing their entire lives and the entire product of their life's work. I cannot think of his life without considering theirs, and imaging their experiences of actually working the land. Beneath the romanticized surface presentation, beyond the beautifully restored mansion and quaint vegetable and display gardens, there was the unspeakable brutality of SLAVERY, and this cannot be forgotten nor forgiven.

Main House

Flower Walk

Vegetable Garden

A Pleasure Garden

2011-05-27T16:58:00.003-04:00

I recently attended a fundraiser for Brookside Gardens in Maryland. For a modest $5 donation, the public got a chance to tour one of the most spectacular and jaw-dropping private gardens in the area, a magical garden with a vast plant collection set amongst three acres. The Peony Collection was promoted as the tour highlight, but I found the trees and shrubs and shady nooks to be equally impressive. There was just so much to take in, so much beauty to soak up, and I took away loads of inspiration that I can now apply to my own Pleasure Garden.

Starter Roses

2011-05-20T22:59:00.002-04:00

My order from Heirloom Roses just arrived today, and though the roses are far smaller than I'd imagined, the foliage looks quite healthy and full. I find fragrant roses irresistible, which is why I ordered Rose 'Fragrant Cloud' and Climbing Rose 'Zephirine Drouhin'. I also wanted a group of shade-tolerant roses for the Woodland Side Border, and have selected Rose 'The Fairy' to perform in that role. Can't wait to see these babies grow and start blooming.

SNAKE!!!

2011-05-19T17:09:00.007-04:00

Just as I stepped out of my front door late this morning, camera in hand to photograph the Mailbox Butterfly Garden, I encountered something that made me quickly step back in.

There right in front of my path lay a shiny black snake, seemingly ready to pounce, and it was at least four feet long!

I am still spooked by the incident. I spend hours in the garden, often wearing shorts and flip-flops even in the wooded bush-filled areas at the back of the property, and previously I never concerned myself with being on the lookout for snakes. Now, I can no longer delude myself and will have to be more cautious.

Through web-research I have identified the offending snake as being a harmless Northern Black Racer, but the sight of a snake never makes me happy.

Wordless Wednesday: Pink Perfection

2011-05-18T15:05:00.002-04:00

--Peony 'Monsieur Jules Elie'

What's In Bloom?

2011-05-15T22:09:00.024-04:00

There are flowers everywhere all throughout my garden, some finishing up and others just getting started, and each day seems to bring a new surprise. Many of the Peonies, planted in Fall 2009 mostly, are blooming for the first time, and the Mountain Laurel shrub has never looked better. It is all quite a sight to behold, the garden in its full gorgeous glory.

Peony 'Louise Marx'

Peony 'Pink Hawaiian Coral'

Peony 'Karl Rosenfield'

Peony 'Charlie's White'

Peony 'Monsieur Jules Elie'

Peony 'Scarlet O'hara'

Peony 'Do Tell'

Dutch Iris

Digitalis 'Camelot Cream'

Geranium Biokovo

Dianthus 'Bath's Pink'

David Austin Rose 'Harlow Carr'

Viburnum 'Dentatum

Mountain Laurel

Kousa Dogwood

Wordless Wednesday: Psychedelic Mushrooms

2011-05-11T15:02:00.002-04:00

-- Meadowlark Gardens, 5/7/11

The Flowers of May

2011-05-10T15:55:00.004-04:00

My garden is full of so much bounty at the moment, as the first Peonies begin to bloom, and the Azalea 'Rosebud' hits peak performance, but the truly eye-catching starlets are the royal purple Alliums. The best way for me to admire my best flowers up close and personal, is to bring them inside. It puts a quick smile on my face every time I catch of glimpse of these lovelies.

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

2011-05-09T21:57:00.005-04:00

The Washington D.C. metro area has many beautiful public display gardens, and I am making it my goal this year to visit as many of them as I can. Over the Mother's Day weekend, I had the pleasure of touring Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in the Northern Virginia suburbs. Oddly enough, I found myself caught in the lull between Spring show stoppers such as Flowering Dogwoods, Tulips and Daffodils, and the start of late-Spring/Summer blooming Peonies, Daylilies and Roses. And so I lucked out this time and missed the flowers, but the landscaped grounds were entirely beautiful nonetheless and the shade gardens infinitely inspiring. To see the true greatness of a garden, it is essential to visit multiple times during different months and seasons, and I am really looking forward to my next visit at Meadowlark.

Perennial Sun Borders

Shade Gardens

Children's Garden

The Hosta Border

2011-05-05T23:57:00.008-04:00

The view from my main deck is especially lovely this time of year, as the Azalea 'Rosebud' shrubs come into bloom and the Hosta leaves unfurl themselves. I like to sit and watch the various birds who come to visit the bird bath, and to listen to the sweet sounds of nature. Shade Gardening can be so pleasurable when you work with it to optimize the conditions you've been given, and along this border I also grow Hellebores/Ferns/Lamium/Tiarella, as well as the shrubs Leucothoe 'Scarletta' and Deutzia 'Chardonnay Pearls'. I do not feel at all limited by the shade, and this is one of the most serene spots in the whole landscape.

Royal Purple

2011-04-29T13:29:00.007-04:00

Just in time for Great Britain's Royal Wedding, a lot of purple is popping up in my garden, and I'm lovin' it! The Alliums are looking stellar...

..., and my Mailbox Butterfly Garden is really starting to pop with the purple blossoms of Clematis, Iris and Salvia. I am always looking for an excuse to run out to the curbside to check out my newest garden, and it is evolving each and every week.

2011 Container Gardening

2011-04-26T18:29:00.009-04:00

With so many wonderful ornamental and flowering plants on the market these days, I am always looking for more space to grow things, and it is through container gardening that I have found the room to let my imagination run wild. I can grow fragrant roses on my sunny deck, and experiment with exciting new annuals on the front stoop. The possibilities are endless, and this is what I've cooked up for Spring/Summer 2011!

Ingredients: Cordyline Australis 'Red Star', Marguerite Daisy, Mandevilla Dipladenia

Ingredients: Snapdragon, Annual Dianthus, Vinca Vine

Purple Container: David Austin Rose 'Harlow Carr', Salvia 'May Night'
Golden Yellow Container: David Austin Rose 'Falstaff'
Brown Urn: t.b.d

Ivory Tan Container: Elephant Ears
Brown Urn: David Austin Rose 'Mortimer Sackler'
Burgundy Container: Blueberry Bush

Pastel Delights

2011-04-23T21:51:00.015-04:00

The National Arboretum

Neighborhood Trees

Growing and Growing

2011-04-22T22:31:00.003-04:00

It was only 20 days ago that I planted up my Mailbox Butterfly Garden, and so far all the plants are really thriving in their new curbside spot. There have been several days of rain throughout this period, and that really helped things get off to a great start. Flowers will be plentiful I believe, as the Clematis already has many buds formed, and the Yarrow is set to burst into bloom any day now. I can't wait for the show to start!

A Season of Azaleas

2011-04-20T16:32:00.006-04:00

The Washington D.C. area is now on the cusp of peak Azalea Season, and I will definitely be venturing off to the National Arboretum this upcoming weekend to see the famed Azalea Collection, which came pretty close to being destroyed due to budget cuts. While not my favorite shrub, I always look forward to the blooms of the many many Azaleas that reside in my garden, and they have grown on me. The first to bloom are the 2 large shrubs midway between the floating deck and the shed, and today they are smothered with flowers and looking positively divine.

Freshening a Bouquet

2011-04-13T17:13:00.010-04:00

After the recent arrival of my sweet baby girl, I received several gorgeous bouquets of fresh spring flowers. They lasted an impressive two weeks (the delicious fruit lasted only two days)...

and then after their inevitable decline I freshened the bouquet by combining the remaining holdovers (white daisies and pale pink carnations) with daffodils and flowering branches from my garden.

These flowers now reside on my entryway shelf, serving as the perfect Springtime Greeting every time I step inside my door.

To keep flowers fresh, it is important to change the water every 3 days, to re-cut the stems at each change-out, and to use the florist food that comes in the packet. These simple steps can really help to stretch out the life of a bouquet.

Early Spring Renewal

2011-04-10T19:24:00.035-04:00

My rock garden was quite an eyesore one year ago, but last Fall I installed a Serviceberry, and then today I dug out all the weeds and honeysuckle seedlings and put in some Creeping Phlox. I re-arranged several rocks and mulched the area to give it a nice unified appearance, and as a finishing touch, I spread some Sweet Alyssum seeds beneath the tree.

(Phlox subulata 'Purple Beauty')

(Phlox subulata 'Emerald Blue')

(Phlox subulata 'Mcdaniel's Cushion')

Upon wrapping up work in the rock garden, I planted my first container of the season for the front door stoop: 1 Snapdragon, 2 Annual Dianthus, 1 Vinca Vine

While adding new plants to my garden is always a pleasure, nothing beats seeing the old ones come back again. The Viburnum Burkwoodii has just begun to bloom, and the wonderfully strong fragrance knocks my socks off.

My Bradford Pear, which has a (distastefully) unique scent of its own, is covered in blooms. I find this stately beauty to be among the most graceful of all trees.

What a great day in the garden!

Creation of a Butterfly Garden

2011-04-03T20:27:00.009-04:00

April is the sweetest month to me, a month full of so much hope and promise. And so it is only fitting that I begin the month by breaking ground on my long-planned Mailbox Butterfly Garden. I prepared the garden bed last Fall using the lasagna method to smother the grass, and today I planted up a whole range of perennials using mostly divisions or transplants that I already had. In addition to adding in the plant-life, my husband installed a brand new mailbox and post, and so this entire area just got a full face-lift. Below is a listing of the plants I used:

7 Daylilys (yellow)
1 Clematis (purple)
3 Shasta Daisy 'Becky'
1 Peony 'Louise Marx'
3 Bearded Iris (purple/blue)
2 Yarrow 'Coronation Gold'
1 Butterfly Bush 'Nanho Blue'
3 Black-Eyed Susan 'Goldstrum'
30 Acidenthera bulbs

My Favorite Flower

2011-03-26T20:02:00.008-04:00

A new gardener just bloomed on March 23th, 2011.

Welcome Baby Girl Alice Claire,

my most precious and beautiful flower.

Marching into Spring

2011-03-12T13:11:00.002-05:00

As the days grow longer and balmier, my garden is beginning to awaken. Bulb shoots are poking through the soil, the Forsythia, Bradford Pear and Pieris Japonica buds are completely swollen, and weed seedlings have already emerged. I know that everything will happen so fast over the next 4-6 weeks, and so I want to be prepared. This year I'll be breaking ground to create a Mailbox Butterfly Garden, which really excites me, and I've also got big plans to define and design the backyard border as a Hosta Garden. My third season of gardening on this property is about to begin anew again, and I can't wait to get started.

Lipstick Shades in November

2010-11-22T20:06:00.002-05:00

My trees really took a shellacking during a windy night last week, and I awoke to find them completely defoliated of leaves. However, there are still some bright spots in the garden. My deliciously fragrant David Austin 'Harlow Carr' rose is still blooming strong, with many buds set to open, and Camellia Sasanqua 'Kanjiro' has just begun to bloom with one flower fully open. I am also impressed by the nice cherry red berries covering the small Japanese Skimmia shrubs which I planted last Spring. It's a true delight to see such wonderful bright colors in the garden during these gray November days.

Yellow-Orange-Red Tapestry

2010-11-14T17:39:00.021-05:00

The Washington D.C. region was ridiculously gorgeous this weekend, as perfect as could be with incredible sunshine and blazing bright tree foliage. I feel really lucky to live in an area that is so amazingly photogenic both Fall and Spring, and our moderate climate provides a world of possibility for gardeners of all stripes. When I lived in Chicago (zone 5), the planting of Camellias was a no-go, and when I lived in Houston (zone 9), you couldn't do Tulips or Peonies. Now I am privileged to be able to chose from a wide variety of plants, and to have weekends in November where it's still mild enough for an outdoor picnic.

My weekend was busy with garden chores, from planting 60 Dutch Iris and 18 Allium bulbs amongst the many Dayliles that I dug up and divided, to transplanting the Forsythia bush. However, after all that work I actually feel refreshed. I look around my garden, and see all that has been accomplished (mostly by Mother Nature), and I feel totally rejuvenated. With this tapestry of color all around me, how could I not?

Kousa Dogwood (Bradford Pear behind)

Japanese Maple

Burning Bush

Sugar Maples

Wordless Wednesday: Capitol Columns

2010-11-10T20:30:00.003-05:00

--The National Arboretum

Fantastic Fall Foliage

2010-11-06T21:17:00.010-04:00

After a summer of unrelenting heat, it's rather nice to have the cool days of Autumn finally here. The trees and shrubs are really getting down to business with splendid displays of color, but alas several (Dogwood 'Cherokee Brave', Clethra Summersweet) had suffered during the drought and had little healthy foliage left by summer's end. My garden took a beating through both my neglect and Mother Nature's refusal to let up on the 95F+ days, but as the garden becomes more established and requires less maintenance, I know that better days are ahead. The older trees are looking as gorgeous as ever, and the Redbuds which were only planted last year have done just great. Trees are such workhorses in the garden, and it's nice to simply sit back and watch them work their magic.

Japanese Maple

Forest Pansy Redbuds

Assorted Woodland

Tree Planting Season

2010-11-01T21:20:00.006-04:00

My Woodland Garden just got a little more varied, as 2 new trees were added in mid-October. I added a touch of Southern Majesty to the side border, with the addition of Southern Magnolia 'Little Gem', and the invasive Bush Honeysuckle in my Deck-side Rock Garden has now been replaced with a lovely Serviceberry 'Autumn Brilliance'. There is room in my heart for so many trees, and I just hope there is still room in my garden for at least a few more too.

What's In Bloom?

2010-07-16T13:55:00.005-04:00

This month for Garden Blogger's Bloom Day -- July 2010, I have many wonderful sun-loving plants in bloom. My garden is popping with the bright flowers of Zinnias, as well as Coneflowers and Agastache, and the long-blooming Scabiosa, Salvia and Lavender is going strong. In addition, my new Hydrangea 'Endless Summer' is beginning to bloom.

The zinnias, planted amongst the long perennial/shrub border, were taller than I had expected. Next year, I will choose shorter bedding annuals because I feel this area looks too cluttered from a distance, although up close it actually looks fine.

In other Gardening News...I widened the rightmost portion of the border by about a foot, to allow for a third row of perennials. I read somewhere that a border should be at least as wide as the walkway it abuts, and that totally made sense to me. There are now 5 Sedum 'Autumn Joy' on the back row, replacing 3 Holly shrubs, then Dianthus 'Baths Pinks' in the middle row, and a mix of Carpathian Bellfowers 'White and Blue Clips' in the front to serve as edging.

A lot of gardening work got done throughout the month of July, with much of it performed in 95-105 degree heat! We had a period of 10+ days with no rain, so I also spent many mornings outside wielding the hose. Thankfully, the drought finally broke and we at last received a few heavy rains to green up the garden again.

George Washington's Garden

2010-07-07T20:56:00.005-04:00

I spent 4th of July at the well-preserved historic Mount Vernon Estate, and though the day was too hot for real enjoyment to be had, I did take a quick stroll through the gardens. A pollinator's dream, there were an eye-popping array of sun perennials, from all sorts of coneflowers to zinnias and phlox. It was quite overwhelming actually, and I can't imagine how much maintenance a garden of this size must require. Hopefully, I will be able to spend more time exploring the grounds and gardens next time.

Wordless Wednesday: Orienpet Lily "Satisfaction"

2010-06-30T11:31:00.006-04:00

The Constant Gardener

2010-06-25T22:16:00.018-04:00

The great empty space beneath the Japanese Maple of my front entry border was bothering me so much, that I decided to implement my new garden design right away. We are having sizzling high-90s temperatures in the D.C. region at the moment, and so I know it is not wise to introduce new plants at this time, but with attentive watering I think they will be okay. I planted a pair of Hydrangea Endless Summer, one on each side of the Maple, and then patches of perennials for shade (left side) and sun (right side). The size and health of these plants has convinced me to resist the lure of cheap mail-order perennials/shrubs in the future, because it is so worth it to pay the extra few dollars (Goldstrum was only $8.99 for a 1 gallon container) to get a high performer that will bloom the very first year.

New Garden Design
3 Astilbe 'Maggie Daley' (back left)
3 Astilbe 'White Gloria' (back left)
3 Lady's Mantle (middle left)
3 Geranium Biokovo (front left)
2 Hydrangea Endless Summer (back center)
3 Coneflower Goldstrum (front center)
6 Echinacea 'Magnus' (back right)
6 Salvia 'May Night' (middle right)
3 Geranium Biokovo (front right)

Wordless Wednesday: Panama Wildlife

2010-06-23T22:05:00.003-04:00

--6/5/2010 (Panama City, Panama)

Flora of Panama

2010-06-22T16:52:00.002-04:00

Travel is such a huge part of my life, and no matter where I go, there always seems to be so many interesting forms of plant life awaiting me. I vacationed in the Central American nation of Panama for a week earlier this month, and I really enjoyed exploring all of the bright tropical nature that was on offer. The scorching heat and high humidity notwithstanding, I trekked through a "jungle" and hiked through a rain forest, and the biodiversity present was truly impressive.

Butterfly on the Bottlebrush

2010-06-20T09:30:00.007-04:00

The recently purchased Bottlebrush Buckeye is doing exceptionally well, giving me 5 foot-long bloom spikes that are apparently very long-lasting.

Best of all, the delicately scented flowers are attractive to butterflies, and a large gorgeous one stopped by to graze this morning.

Transforming a Trouble Spot

2010-06-18T10:54:00.012-04:00

Upon returning home from a 10 day vacation to Panama, my first order of business was cleaning up the garden and assessing how things had been coming along in the last weeks of Spring. The withering heat had left many of my plants in a sorry state, including the brand new rose bushes which are planted in containers, but most disappointing of all was the empty appearance of the garden bed beneath the Japapanese Maple.

I feel as if a lot of energy has been invested in this area, all to no avail, and my biggest impediment to having it become a lush full bursting-with-flowers entry garden is the weird light conditions. The right half gets full-sun, Salvia 'May Night' and Echinacea 'Magnus' do perfectly fine on that side, but then the left half is mostly shade. This has created an unbalanced effect. Making matters worse, something (chipmunks? moles or voles?) is burrowing holes around the plants, and I think perhaps this is why I lost one of the Geranium 'Biokovo' and why the Coreopsis 'Moonbeam' has really struggled as well.

After a strenuous debate in my head, I have now decided to relocate the Salvia/Echinacea/Coreopsis and treat the whole bed like a Shade Garden. I will add in many more Geraniums to fill in the side perimeter areas, and then plant 2 rows of Astilbe 'Bressingham Beauty' for the darkest parts in the back. For the middle/front spot in front of the tree, I'm considering Tennessee Coneflower, but have yet to settle on which plant would work best for this prominent position.

Wordless Wednesday: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

2010-06-16T12:30:00.005-04:00

Wordless Wednesday: Sloppy Birds

2010-05-26T16:11:00.003-04:00

Shrub Love

2010-05-24T20:04:00.011-04:00

For a solid two weeks, I absolutely could not get my mind off a new shrub I had stumbled across...Aesculus parviflora, aka Bottlebrush Buckeye. It was while researching small trees and shrubs for which to replace the Bush Honeysuckle that I became in awe of the majestic Bottlebrush, and I just had to have it.

The shrub will eventually reach a height of 8-12 feet with a spread of 8-15 feet, and it's a summer bloomer that thrives in shade. It took some effort, but I was able to locate one of these rare woody plants at Merrifield Garden Center, and for $99 it was mine. I planted it over the weekend, in a spot where it can reach its full potential and provide privacy for us when we are dining out on the deck. I can already visualize how spectacular it will look in its full glory.

I am so addicted to shrubs, and currently I am trying to resist the temptation to purchase a set of 3 DEUTZIA gracilis Chardonnay Pearls. Bluestone Perennials has listed this shrub for a mere $4.97, a price cut of 50%, during their Annual Clearance Sale. I do not have a place for more shrubs, yet I crave more shrubs like Chardonnay Pearls. Perhaps I can cram a few more varieties into my Woodland Border, which is really starting to come together. So far I have 3 Clethra Summersweet and 2 Viburnum shrubs set amongst the Redbuds.

Woodland Side Border

Pass the Peas Please

2010-05-21T21:01:00.009-04:00

My veggie patch wasn't looking like much, and I even contemplated filling this area with Perennials such as Columbine, Heuchera and Brunnera marcrophylla 'Jack Frost' in the Fall...

but then today I spotted these Sugar Ann Snap Peas.

Growing food makes gardening 10x more delightful, it adds a whole other dimension to a garden. Seeing the pea pods reassured me that this is a worthwhile endeavor. I wish my salad patch was more productive, but I will not give up on growing edibles. Can't wait till harvest time, YUM-O!

The Big Picture

2010-05-19T20:16:00.013-04:00

After I mowed my lawn today, the incessant rain having finally ceased, I stood back and took in The Big Picture. I feel such overwhelming joy to see my garden looking so great and well-balanced, and I love the fullness and depth that the shrubs contribute. Altogether there are 26 shrubs present: 6 Boxwoods, 7 Satsuki Azaleas, 7 Spirea 'Little Princess', 4 Barberry, 1 Holly, 1 Harry Lauder's Walking Stick.

Fortunately, they mesh together and complement each other so well, that the end effect looks natural and elegant. There is a part of me that longs to expand the Perennial Border just a couple more feet, to allow for another row of plantings, but I don't want to tamper with the landscape design and potentially ruin a good thing.

Of course, my collage of shrubs and perennial border could hardly be ruined when they are framed by such lovely "book-ends", the Japanese Maple and Kousa Dogwood. I am especially in awe of the dreamy Dogwood at the moment. I cut flowers to bring inside today.

Bush Honeysuckle Must GO!!

2010-05-18T18:49:00.007-04:00

Since I started my garden a year ago, I have been committed to filling the landscape with mostly native plants and those that can attract wildlife such as birds, bees and butterflies. Definitely I am seeing results and yesterday alone, I saw 3 different species of birds visiting my bird bath within only an hour time frame. Still, I am not a die hard "nativism" adherent, and so far I have not ripped out any plant simply because it is not a native. My large fan-shaped Euonymous Alatas (i.e. Burning Bush) is so lovely and fitting in its place, that I have respect for this plant despite its less-than-ideal reputation for being invasive.

However, the Bush Honeysuckle is a whole different story. I like the fragrant flowers, I like the nice lime green color of the leaves when Fall arrives, I like the mildly weeping habit of this understory plant, but I DO NOT like the crazy amount of seedlings that are sprouting up everywhere! They are hard to yank out, and now I clearly see why Bush Honeysuckle is such a threat to woodland areas. I plan to replace it with Chionanthus virginicus (White Fringe Tree), an attractive native with a very unique look while in flower. I will not regret saying goodbye to the Honeysuckle.

Sensational Salad

2010-05-16T14:08:00.005-04:00

I started a small salad patch two months ago, which has now yielded the first salad of the season! The lettuce mixture tasted divine and I only wish there were more. Overall, I have not had a positive experience growing from seed, with the exception of those that can be direct sown outdoors such as Sweet Allysum, Zinnias and Lettuce/Spinach. My interest in starting plants from seeds began to fade when I realized that I simply did not have the desire to spend time in the basement watering them and tending to them under lights. I have now accepted that it works best for me to purchase veggie seedlings from the nursery for such items as tomatoes/peppers/zuchinni, but I definitely hope to continue growing salad greens from seed in the future.

What's In Bloom?

2010-05-15T21:40:00.009-04:00

The Kousa Dogwood is in peak bloom, covered with creamy white bracts. Other plants in bloom for Garden Blogger's Bloom Day include Cranesbill Geranium, Dianthus, Salvia, Scabiosa and Spirea, but certainly the real show stopper at the moment is the Dogwood.

Mountain Laurel

2010-05-13T19:45:00.006-04:00

At last I have identified the "mystery shrub" that lies between the Euonymous Alata and the Camellias...and it is a Mountain Laurel. For some reason this shrub did not bloom for me at all last year, and I never would have guessed that it was a Mountain Laurel had not the flowers finally appeared. I have a huge appreciation for all shrubs that can bloom in the shade.

Bishop's Garden at National Cathedral

2010-05-08T19:47:00.013-04:00

It is always a joy to visit an urban garden, especially on a day as sunny and pleasant (though windy) as this Saturday. Washington National Cathedral has an onsite garden that is like an oasis in the city, and the terraced medieval garden was packed with high-impact plants. There were herbs such as thyme and rosemary interspersed throughout the perennials and shrubs, and ancient trees from biblical times. Bishop's Garden is a hidden gem and a real treat for garden lovers.

Seeing Pink

2010-05-07T20:41:00.014-04:00

Definitely "pink" is the dominant color in my garden at the moment, although less so now that the Azaleas have pretty much wrapped up their bloom period for the year. The biggest show-stopper of this pink explosion are...The Pinks, i.e. Dianthus 'Baths Pink" which I have grouped together as edging for the front border. The flowers of this carnation-relation are quite fragrant, and this perennial has really surpassed my expectations.

Peony 'Monsieur Jules Elie'

Peony 'Karl Rosenfield'

Fuchsia Azalea Hedge (next to garage)

Azalea 'Rosebud'

Geranium Biokovo

Dianthus 'Baths Pink'

Impromptu Bouquets

2010-05-06T21:25:00.012-04:00

My last Tulip faded earlier this week and the many pink Azalea shrubs are now finishing up, but with so many Perennials taking off in my garden, I am still being graced with an abundance of flowers. The fragrant Tree Peony gave me 2 blooms this go-around, paltry but acceptable considering its very shady location, and the Dianthus have put out an impressive display of fragrant dainty flowers. It feels great being able to throw together an impromptu mini-bouquet to bring the beauty of the garden indoors, and I'm really looking forward to getting plenty of practice on floral arrangements throughout our long Mid-Atlantic growing season.

-- Tulips, Azalea, Honeysuckle

-- Tree Peony 'High Noon'

-- Salvia May Night, Dianthus Bath's Pink, Geranium Biokovo

Accessories for the Garden

2010-05-02T15:09:00.013-04:00

Like a beautifully dressed woman, a great garden should be well-accessorized. I have decked out my garden with a variety of items, and just like a sprinkling of jewelry that lends a special flair to an outfit, these garden accents really light up my landscape making it all the more unique and magical.

Bird Houses
Made by my very talented wonderful husband, based off designs he found in the book Designer Birdhouses: 20 Upscale Homes for Sophisticated Birds", I am so enchanted by these gorgeous nesting boxes. Both are in my backyard, and the orange-yellow one already has its first set of tenants!

Aluminum Birds

I picked these up at the Philadelphia Flower Show that I attended in March. Cute and adorable, my little boy just can't keep his hands off them. The 2 are sited in the Woodland Side Border, which should be bird-paradise come late-Summer when the Cleathra Summersweets bloom and the Viburnums produce their berries.

Frog and Turtle

I really like the mosaic inlay and glassy gemstone eyes. The frog resides in the Woodland Side Border, and the turtle is out front in my perennial/shrub border next to the Pennisetum Little Bunny.

Bird Bath

This was the very first garden accent I purchased, a lovely item that I found at Kmart of all places. The birds are really using it, and this year I will see to it that the water is changed every other day, to avoid having it become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Wind Chimes

What would a backyard sanctuary be without the gentle chiming of wind chimes? I have the metal froggy-chime hanging in the Honeysuckle Shrub, and the mellow woodsy-chime now dangles from the Witchhazel.

Fleeting Beauty

2010-05-01T14:03:00.003-04:00

The Peony blooms,

then comes hot humid weather.
The show is over.

River of Light

2010-04-30T10:45:00.005-04:00

Light flows like a stream,
navigating between trees,
spilling golden rays.

Purple Passion

2010-04-26T18:50:00.006-04:00

The Clematis vine just began to bloom about 3 days ago, and I'm so impressed with how vivid the purple color looks and how well it coordinates with the pansies. I love PURPLE, it is the color found most often in my wardrobe, and in many ways it has become my "signature" color. Purple is so elegant and exotic, so rich and sexy. It is a strong color in a way that soft pinks can never be, yet is subtle unlike in-your-face reds and bright fuchsia. Some gardeners are fascinated with flowers the color blue, but for me, purple will always do.

Making Space for Peonies

2010-04-25T12:39:00.002-04:00

Last Spring I fell hard for the Peony, acquiring nearly a dozen without giving much thought as to where I would put them. In the end, I planted 3 in my Woodland Side Border near the Redbuds, 1 went in a container for temporary placement, and 8 have now ended up under the Kousa Dogwood sited at the left front corner of my house. Originally the garden bed with the Kousa contained 7 Ilex Crenata Helleri Hollies, but they never did well and so I finally moved them out and edged the border with Variegated Liriope to provide structure. I wish I had a more ideal space for growing Peonies, but so far they do seem to be establishing themselves just fine and to my delighted surprise 2 Peony flowers have just opened! I figure in another couple years, I am really going to have a full-on Peony Show each May.

Peony 'Monsieur Jules Elie'

Peony 'Pink Hawaiian Coral'

Peony Bed under Kousa Dogwood

Spring 2010 Garden Binge

2010-04-24T23:49:00.007-04:00

There have been so many new additions to my plant collection this week that I'm actually starting to sympathize with my husband who is calling for a TIME OUT. Gardening at this time of year can become obsessive for me, because as April winds down and turns into May, the window for getting plants into the ground quickly dwindles. The Mid-Atlantic summer heat is often oppressive, and can prove fatal to plants that did not get the needed time to become established. I have committed to no new plant purchases for the rest of the Spring/Summer months, and actually, it will be rather nice to kick back and simply enjoy the garden instead of digging holes from sunup to sundown!

Brent and Beckys Bulbs
Caladium Aaron (5)
Caladium Candidum Sr. (5)
Colocasia - esculenta 'Illustris' (3)

American Meadows
Buddleia Nanho Blue
Echinacea purpurea Magnus (3)
Lily of the Valley (Bag of 15)
Hosta Royal Standard (3)
Hosta sieboldiana Frances Williams (3)
Hosta Wide Brim (3)
Sedum Autumn Joy (3)
Tricyrtis Blue Wonder (3)
Tricyrtis White Towers (3)

Burke Nursery and Garden Center
Leucothoe Scarletta (3) -- Gorgeous glossy-leaved small evergreen shrub, with a "two-tone" effect as new leaves emerge purplish-red and mature to deep green. The whole shrub turns bright burgundy in fall, and white pendulous flowers are produced in spring.

Japanese Skimmia (3) -- Another shade-loving small evergreen shrub, the Skimmia produces creamy fragrant blooms in early-spring, and displays bright red berries from fall to spring. Supposedly, the leaves are aromatic as well when crushed!

日本庭園, Japanese Garden Design

2010-04-20T20:07:00.037-04:00

As my woodland garden begins to take shape during this second year since we bought our home, I feel a pull to incorporate elements of Japanese Garden Design into the landscape. If the land could talk, I feel it would be whispering "make me into a Japanese Woodland Garden", and already much of the shrubbery present (Pieris Japonica, Euonymus Alata, Camellias, Peony Tree, Satsuki Azaleas) originate in the Orient. The Japanese Garden aesthetic emphasizes being in harmony with nature, and features may include:

* Water, real or symbolic.
* Rocks or stone arrangements (or settings).
* A teahouse or pavilion.
* An enclosure device such as a hedge, fence, or wall of traditional character.
* A bridge to the island, or stepping stones.
* A Stone lantern of some sort.

My garden already contains rocks and stone, there is a "bridge" to connect the deck closest to the house to the outlying floating deck, and I was already planning to install a Bubbling Urn water feature to be a focal point of the garden. I found a seedling Japanese Maple 'Bloodgood' at Home Depot last weekend for $12.97, and my plan is to transplant the Honeysuckle to the corner of the back of the deck, replacing it with the Bloodgood. The current Rock Garden is overrun with weeds & vines, and so I will dig those out and replace with a few pockets of shimmering Lamium 'White Nancy'. To bring it all together, I will add in smooth silver/gray river rock.

Rock Garden

Back Border
I would like to add a stone lantern somewhere, and so most likely I will move the bird bath that is under the Pink Dogwood and put the lantern in its place.

Magnificent Middleburg

2010-04-18T22:00:00.012-04:00

Historic Virginia Garden Week is now underway, and today I had the pleasure to visit some amazing country estates and gardens out in the Loudon-Faquier hunt country area of Middleburg. The equestrian lifestyle is quite vibrant there and the landscapes are incredibly scenic. I toured five gardens with a couple of ladies from my garden club, and what a wonderful way to spend a Spring Sunday afternoon.

Creation of a Lily Garden

2010-04-17T20:33:00.014-04:00

My day began early with the digging of 10 large holes and planting of 31 Oriental Lilies. I discovered the lilies, bought in the late days of winter and then promptly forgotten, while rummaging through the garage. All week I had thought about where to plant these lilies, and finally it occurred to me that the sunny spot where my husband planted the new birdhouse that he built would be perfect! This area also contains a Doublefile Viburnum 'Shasta' which I planted last November, and it's close enough to the deck that the sweet fragrance of the lilies will waft by when we are sitting out there for enjoyment. I love the tall graceful scented Oriental Lilies, and I'm so happy to have found a dedicated space for growing them.

Oriental Lily Collection
8 Vermeer (pastel pink)
8 Merostar (speckled pink/red, white edge)
8 America (cranberry red)
7 Muscadet (pure white, pink spots)

What's In Bloom?

2010-04-15T21:12:00.018-04:00

On March 15th there was absolutely nothing in bloom, now on April 15th for Garden Blogger's Bloom Day, it seems that everything is in bloom. Amazing how the garden can change seemingly overnight. In addition to all my bulbs blooming during that 30 day window (daffodils, tulips, crocus, hyacinths and muscari), the Bradford Pear, Dogwood and Redbuds have all now flowered. Many shrubs have or are beginning to bloom, the Peonies have fresh new leaves and buds, and the Hostas are poking through. Honestly, I find the whole changeover from Winter to Spring to be rather miraculous.

Cherokee Brave Dogwood

Eastern Redbud 'Forest Pansy'

Viburnum Lantana

Peony Tree

Tulips Galore

2010-04-14T13:19:00.014-04:00

It was a thrill to come back from vacation to find all of my tulips in glorious bloom, and I am excited to wake up each morning because it's such a pleasure to be greeted by this lovely display on my way out the door. The collection is composed of perennial Darwin Hybrid tulips 'Pink Impression' and 'Apeldoorn', as well as other tulips that I obtained from big-box stores. Next year, I will add in more purple, and add more bulbs to the right side of the Japanese Maple which has leafed out beautifully.

Charming Charleston

2010-04-06T23:44:00.009-04:00

I spent Easter Weekend in Charleston, the city of my birthplace, and was very impressed with the lovely traditional architecture and well-preserved historic downtown area. The weather was perfect, the food was terrific, and the many hanging baskets were beatific. I toured seven lovely properties as part of the 63th Annual Spring Festival of Houses and Gardens, and definitely Charleston is a must-see destination for the garden lovers out there.

Daffodil Central

2010-03-30T21:05:00.009-04:00

Last November, I dug A-L-O-T of holes to plant 300+ bulbs, and now this March my hard work is being rewarded. Daffodils are such a sunny cheerful flower, and once they bloom, you know Spring has truly arrived. I would like to plant a wider variety of Daffodils for next year, including more whites and ruffled ones, and I am excited to see what this area on my side border will look like in a few more years.

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