tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87340234062377252452024-02-20T11:05:53.371-05:00A Walk In Our GardenEverybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul. ~John MuirLisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-18346738810871853902012-09-28T23:53:00.002-04:002012-09-29T16:45:51.288-04:00Plant Spotlight: Kaleidoscope Abelia<div style="text-align: center;">
Its fall again. The air is crisp and the garden is coming back to life for one last show before its time to settle down for winter. One of the first plants to come to back to life this fall is <i>Abelia </i>'Kaleidoscope', one of my all-time favorite foliage plants.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDA7_6gIAnYAR6QuzbAwBxxdl9eGWxpF9u-xp9HhzsrH56QedAjqCWJ8IjZrUirVnoMMPdDWceTME-gBy0MU6Mpiuw2SKOzZNuL6oJ7aXhVDUHBcOJJnS4snwIgZvR5tfjOWMqmfuO1Ez/s1600/DSCN7968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDA7_6gIAnYAR6QuzbAwBxxdl9eGWxpF9u-xp9HhzsrH56QedAjqCWJ8IjZrUirVnoMMPdDWceTME-gBy0MU6Mpiuw2SKOzZNuL6oJ7aXhVDUHBcOJJnS4snwIgZvR5tfjOWMqmfuO1Ez/s640/DSCN7968.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Since its introduction a decade ago, the Kaleidoscope Abelia has secured a spot in many southern gardens. Its evergreen foliage is a lime green with touches of cream and coral that become more evident in fall and winter. Although the foliage is the star, its delicate white flowers, a bumblebee favorite, bloom from spring to fall. In my full sun garden I usually get the best peaks in the cooler seasons, and with the recent cool nights they have burst into bloom. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhw7ha8LuJF1zMwNlYp4svMwP6cUTdiTL5p1Zc1O7B43Ng4pYpRfE9_j1tBohDi1M5yLXhOnAZ7V9dv7Mp8mZ32yq0iY3u7-5P-44FNLuP1WWApQrdRGT20j4QgWcap3U17k77ND6kL_qf/s1600/DSCN7966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhw7ha8LuJF1zMwNlYp4svMwP6cUTdiTL5p1Zc1O7B43Ng4pYpRfE9_j1tBohDi1M5yLXhOnAZ7V9dv7Mp8mZ32yq0iY3u7-5P-44FNLuP1WWApQrdRGT20j4QgWcap3U17k77ND6kL_qf/s320/DSCN7966.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeR885Laxa1W2TJZuYtX85YaG4kQRMeGHTX4ccGfdGl92rpkuLgswtLTOxSMrw1p9sodPDxbGasNsHo7yDuCIEZCOGbHgZYcz890Nw_MqWnKPBSHIkG5N670WF9hOofAHBtT8-unlOWj5/s1600/DSCN7969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeR885Laxa1W2TJZuYtX85YaG4kQRMeGHTX4ccGfdGl92rpkuLgswtLTOxSMrw1p9sodPDxbGasNsHo7yDuCIEZCOGbHgZYcz890Nw_MqWnKPBSHIkG5N670WF9hOofAHBtT8-unlOWj5/s320/DSCN7969.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The great thing about Kaleidoscope Abelia, and what makes it so versatile in the garden, is its compact size. At only 3ft tall and 4-5ft wide, it makes a great accent shrub and is a favorite for foundation plantings or front yard beds for year round color. Paired with the dark purple foliage of a barberry it really steals the show!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMnR6nYoSt6lQI5Yg0Z1Ucvvb9nF-NBSsRk5BV8Ff_qhfG1c2Cu1o4LVfqz-Mcudver8cGL7B3e2qBJtBANaOUskvP1dcq4ZrlyB5i3Wd1LzbaLvXhUlaYLmG3TiJaDRs9PdXQe5MOBCM/s1600/DSCN7964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMnR6nYoSt6lQI5Yg0Z1Ucvvb9nF-NBSsRk5BV8Ff_qhfG1c2Cu1o4LVfqz-Mcudver8cGL7B3e2qBJtBANaOUskvP1dcq4ZrlyB5i3Wd1LzbaLvXhUlaYLmG3TiJaDRs9PdXQe5MOBCM/s640/DSCN7964.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-50600804281268626132012-04-30T22:09:00.000-04:002012-04-30T22:09:52.226-04:00Moonlight and Roses<div style="text-align: center;">
The only thing that could have made our near-5ft tall clump of 'Carolina Moonlight' <i>Baptisia</i> look better this spring was the beautiful color contrast provided by the red 'Double Knockout' <i>Rosa </i>in the background. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wnVie3tnPmEuuGZwAUkLOXBWBRdsQVmk-_5NymXYxm2yKSGpnqznVZJqom4pSgacjyRzKPDAXjAmn5ETGCViImDd59aD75OCUpt0a4Tfe6vbtx8S6UQbEZtVVKXp51EMwXnWS_OXrMVZ/s1600/DSCN6559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wnVie3tnPmEuuGZwAUkLOXBWBRdsQVmk-_5NymXYxm2yKSGpnqznVZJqom4pSgacjyRzKPDAXjAmn5ETGCViImDd59aD75OCUpt0a4Tfe6vbtx8S6UQbEZtVVKXp51EMwXnWS_OXrMVZ/s640/DSCN6559.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
False Indigo, <i>Baptisia </i>sp.,<i> </i>is perhaps my all-time favorite perennial plant, and the 'Carolina Moonlight' always steals the show in the spring with its vigorous height, although I do have 3 varieties of the shorter purple-toned <i>Baptisia australis </i>hybrids that are gorgeous as well. I love watching every stage of the plant's growth, from the asparagus like buds shooting out of the ground in early spring, to the delicate blue-green foliage, and of course those characteristic pea-family flowers!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8HMl1DWhRLwJm7n40BurYYSqAKl-DQrCDQ8JA1mgdsv2v6fkKQpovdenpS4RLKAtcriDUsdNj2B1SScmsXsdlPzCISylOM2xWo_4yUMUREhcI7JchgKrAIgGDI_vHYMxuKqFd9oxQFZS/s1600/DSCN6548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8HMl1DWhRLwJm7n40BurYYSqAKl-DQrCDQ8JA1mgdsv2v6fkKQpovdenpS4RLKAtcriDUsdNj2B1SScmsXsdlPzCISylOM2xWo_4yUMUREhcI7JchgKrAIgGDI_vHYMxuKqFd9oxQFZS/s320/DSCN6548.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLOx_QI4Qn-xWZ4SvaibgR2E5iRKZyxXUjG3b3MkDaF23Monwn4w4iehAhj2LQevVrAY0Uxg1IJQHiGoYwzn0VvfkJSHcJL6uRRNtQq9Nbk5J6xxDT_cSGTgWjqyXDz9AA8e5SHVYMhli/s1600/DSCN6551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLOx_QI4Qn-xWZ4SvaibgR2E5iRKZyxXUjG3b3MkDaF23Monwn4w4iehAhj2LQevVrAY0Uxg1IJQHiGoYwzn0VvfkJSHcJL6uRRNtQq9Nbk5J6xxDT_cSGTgWjqyXDz9AA8e5SHVYMhli/s320/DSCN6551.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The 'Knockout' rose in the back of the border provides a background to make the light yellow <i>Baptisia </i>flowers really stand out. 'Knockouts' have become a common staple in landscapes, offering a re-blooming, disease resistant option for even the most novice rose gardener. Used in the right places, the dark foliage and dazzling flowers give a show all season long... and with this warm spring they are starting extra early. In our sunny perennial border filling with spring flowers, these two beauties really steal the show when they come into bloom at the same time!</div>
<br />
<br />LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-18097198235237045562012-04-18T22:14:00.000-04:002012-04-18T22:45:36.697-04:00A Vegetable Expansion<div style="text-align: center;">
With my ever growing heirloom tomato obsession we were long overdue for an expansion of our kitchen garden. After growing all our herbs and vegetables for years in a relatively small raised bed along the South side of our house, a new patch of rich soil is poses exciting prospect! Armed with my spring veggies, both from seed and from the garden center, Ive been spending the weekends planting tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, squash, peppers, dill, basil... and all my other favorites!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznv0de6Lz3OUBYPoBnAoJ_0dO2CWqN6Y1S9PLeOrRJ3QncGPui0RuEz9iSph0NYTQtSkBRVutt2FVpIjmn9-8SWDadNtsBdE3YF7LGumzekp13lxW762MzMCSjG1JsRxEFD8i6x3HTz1z/s1600/DSCN6433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznv0de6Lz3OUBYPoBnAoJ_0dO2CWqN6Y1S9PLeOrRJ3QncGPui0RuEz9iSph0NYTQtSkBRVutt2FVpIjmn9-8SWDadNtsBdE3YF7LGumzekp13lxW762MzMCSjG1JsRxEFD8i6x3HTz1z/s320/DSCN6433.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL61oKos97vs1oR_LEJiiv5ksinvQpMWD9bdHJ0dEoOBHSGxpgxSVd98S2AnjXEWwDAiBhVSRYlTUOpZzz1ECcLnCZ-z06bL1fLujbtfyJIhfttWvDhuQRZVv6Jz7cMcjaUhpY6CoXSMqm/s1600/DSCN6438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL61oKos97vs1oR_LEJiiv5ksinvQpMWD9bdHJ0dEoOBHSGxpgxSVd98S2AnjXEWwDAiBhVSRYlTUOpZzz1ECcLnCZ-z06bL1fLujbtfyJIhfttWvDhuQRZVv6Jz7cMcjaUhpY6CoXSMqm/s320/DSCN6438.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Last year, although our vegetable bed looked luscious and full in the spring, a nasty virus spread through the tomatoes, a chance I took by planting them in the same spot year after year. But with tomatoes taking up more than half of the bed, and a big hop vine in the way, I really had no option. Luckily, we had a spot in the full sun that was free this year. After taking out a dead dogwood tree, we had converted this sloping spot into our little hop yard last winter.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2btfvvbGU2ssi6bshc806fQX4nfVz8GxAAuB1GPF22dt1GNE2s1nvQOrXorDgulL4QXvRHnaz2k5HIMrYgkuAiZ1_avxbU8IPMlQ10d_CPHp0glR8unV7xhlOpBqmydAj5NdQ7KrfNIAk/s1600/DSCN1949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2btfvvbGU2ssi6bshc806fQX4nfVz8GxAAuB1GPF22dt1GNE2s1nvQOrXorDgulL4QXvRHnaz2k5HIMrYgkuAiZ1_avxbU8IPMlQ10d_CPHp0glR8unV7xhlOpBqmydAj5NdQ7KrfNIAk/s400/DSCN1949.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erecting the hop trellis system last winter.. look at that clay soil!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
With a little bit of convincing, Brian let go of a little hop space and knowing that he had to dig up all the hops, was willing to build us a new bed... a level one, with good soil fitting a production area. With a few 2 by 4s from a local lumber yard, a yard of garden soil plus a half a yard of home-grown compost, and a lot of hand-tilling with our two shovels, the spot transformed in an afternoon. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRElD-CteVaktfxIkIN-MH0g-0Fq9Tn-BXroQptSBDg0BehFZspJ3PbOFpIF4a6QB2-D0Vnls5tsEEkH-aAmqtLer4v4oDtN4duKcNPpUypymfeCbHladn_hMTUbe3okyCPJT55U8aUoGx/s1600/DSCN6436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRElD-CteVaktfxIkIN-MH0g-0Fq9Tn-BXroQptSBDg0BehFZspJ3PbOFpIF4a6QB2-D0Vnls5tsEEkH-aAmqtLer4v4oDtN4duKcNPpUypymfeCbHladn_hMTUbe3okyCPJT55U8aUoGx/s400/DSCN6436.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We decided to only build up one side to keep with the natural look of the beds in the back yard. Stacked rocks from the stream behind our property were added to the sides to prevent any erosion. The terracotta pot was my little addition... I cant wait for the Dahlia to pop up later this spring! And Brian's hops should enjoy the new soil and a little more attention this summer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-72234851815584730132012-04-13T22:49:00.001-04:002012-04-13T22:50:32.761-04:00Plant Spotlight: White Lady Banks Rose<div style="text-align: center;">
The Lady Banks Rose is a staple of the southern garden. Popular for its cascades of tiny rose blossoms, the yellow variety is by far the most popular. However, I'm here to advocate for its lesser used twin, the double-white Lady Banks Rose, <i>Rosa banksiae</i> 'Alba Plena'. For me there is nothing better than a pure white rose to ring in the spring, and the large blooms of this climbing variety do it with style. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4m2QbvJoZR98MeJbcgbPeUAOM9jFwQQYyHuGYCZ04f3HkqGo3I35oJARTXBbVABvgQGusiUeu0-T7eDRydexYx1nYXtxg0QFxtuVRparpRezWMm2QNjpmkoiGudrqFMUsebdSI2qAeJC/s1600/DSCN6261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4m2QbvJoZR98MeJbcgbPeUAOM9jFwQQYyHuGYCZ04f3HkqGo3I35oJARTXBbVABvgQGusiUeu0-T7eDRydexYx1nYXtxg0QFxtuVRparpRezWMm2QNjpmkoiGudrqFMUsebdSI2qAeJC/s400/DSCN6261.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Lady Banks Rose has been popular in China for centuries, where the native species (a small-blooming white variety) grows wild. On a plant hunting expedition at the request of botanist Sir Joseph Banks, the gardener William Kerr found the rose in Chinese gardens and brought it to the west in 1807, naming it after Sir Banks wife. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ0FnCBY_79ZHl9JNntZ9Tq83bEvu6F8VGaBcXA8gmrQAQmwrrgfGO52hGBk03Klp1wCdHT14yJap6mD4X20IVCsUWX-tMtPgg-dKWjsJaoIiFmstIuxKXPg0WorNh2YIOTv_TtZojnQAk/s1600/DSCN6372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ0FnCBY_79ZHl9JNntZ9Tq83bEvu6F8VGaBcXA8gmrQAQmwrrgfGO52hGBk03Klp1wCdHT14yJap6mD4X20IVCsUWX-tMtPgg-dKWjsJaoIiFmstIuxKXPg0WorNh2YIOTv_TtZojnQAk/s400/DSCN6372.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Lady Banks Rose provides a thorn-free, carefree, disease resistant option for incorporating roses into your garden. It blooms early in the season, from early March to late April in our garden. Although the yellow provides a more popular color, the white lady banks has a light, enchanting fragrance reminiscent of violets. With enough sunlight and room to grow, this climbing rose can turn any fence into a fragrant spring bouquet!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-63953174599667908642012-04-09T11:37:00.000-04:002012-04-09T11:37:22.036-04:00Early Spring in the Perennial Border<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Spring is here. The leaves are out, the flowers are blooming, and the birds and bees are stirring in the garden. The Perennial border is finally filling in with color after the long months of bare mulch and branches.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzc2OlH5LVyruL8io7BtmhKcLXYb-AE1AgBmCexoXxSiCesYRDFArM-Aik6E3C0kh_UGsfEjpjzyWpnyJkoriG0-peP6bakZ1tfh_Xb0xh3M2bUrOXuiWJgoePqX9916pSl38Pg-pXGrDE/s1600/DSCN6416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzc2OlH5LVyruL8io7BtmhKcLXYb-AE1AgBmCexoXxSiCesYRDFArM-Aik6E3C0kh_UGsfEjpjzyWpnyJkoriG0-peP6bakZ1tfh_Xb0xh3M2bUrOXuiWJgoePqX9916pSl38Pg-pXGrDE/s640/DSCN6416.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This time of year the plants are leaping towards the sun, putting on inches of foliage by the day, or bursting into bud overnight. Two of my favorite standouts for early spring border blooms are the 'Wine and Roses' <i>Wigelia </i>(left), and the 'Carolina Moonlight' <i>Baptisia</i> (right).</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfPm7jF_RSN5Vc75Im05hssyI_DW9x8D8lTkpUHaWjSIqQZdgPIsiBrGKstkA2au8H-IsbDmX2ilNqJrnH-qG9ygBHKroKfptfABgxVXVefNn-sC4DJpfkkdSxqEQsMYCgzzygelT726n/s1600/DSCN6419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfPm7jF_RSN5Vc75Im05hssyI_DW9x8D8lTkpUHaWjSIqQZdgPIsiBrGKstkA2au8H-IsbDmX2ilNqJrnH-qG9ygBHKroKfptfABgxVXVefNn-sC4DJpfkkdSxqEQsMYCgzzygelT726n/s320/DSCN6419.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3e9nBo7tjQS9hd2Nsq4XydmkLBGnDg3S-FzcSzOSxPyMn-0_DIsxkp8mquo60VtLVayxhcSlIyIR7hDYSacQWVBoBH1pjZS12r_LI-DxZgEPrEbNig-kov0EyjfWqFqnISJvi1GmWC5I/s1600/DSCN6418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3e9nBo7tjQS9hd2Nsq4XydmkLBGnDg3S-FzcSzOSxPyMn-0_DIsxkp8mquo60VtLVayxhcSlIyIR7hDYSacQWVBoBH1pjZS12r_LI-DxZgEPrEbNig-kov0EyjfWqFqnISJvi1GmWC5I/s320/DSCN6418.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These beauties are also favorite spots for the bumblebees that have recently returned to the garden. Its great to see all the familiar faces of spring back once again!</div>
<br /><br />LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-26947082550787970472012-04-03T20:57:00.000-04:002012-04-03T20:57:19.163-04:00Hail Storm<div style="text-align: center;">
A couple nights ago, the garden got bombed by mother nature.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBc2zVQBWSmFxwNvfn0e_SPO7Sdr0LEtnPLhdog1U8iikUvx0jGtUkkqVFOs35L2nO5VgkVph_2UW6sFtBVklrKYS6kkP3hREAyeuO-HF7i-E26Ch9b0qMs5lyPFW068U6QUhsOyWsK3G/s1600/DSCN6253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBc2zVQBWSmFxwNvfn0e_SPO7Sdr0LEtnPLhdog1U8iikUvx0jGtUkkqVFOs35L2nO5VgkVph_2UW6sFtBVklrKYS6kkP3hREAyeuO-HF7i-E26Ch9b0qMs5lyPFW068U6QUhsOyWsK3G/s320/DSCN6253.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CMkcEn7WyGbNkpnBk7wdz016Kks1wro1oEtssnJCLGeZrTom4NXfqjmCFeB3g1sNlOTeOYdisAeIqOkMAeNwwGN9FO-0AAdouGyazvRotOL3FNf6BtckzSWQRak4qq5aWxUwyT61CunL/s1600/DSCN6273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CMkcEn7WyGbNkpnBk7wdz016Kks1wro1oEtssnJCLGeZrTom4NXfqjmCFeB3g1sNlOTeOYdisAeIqOkMAeNwwGN9FO-0AAdouGyazvRotOL3FNf6BtckzSWQRak4qq5aWxUwyT61CunL/s320/DSCN6273.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Luckily, the only real casualty was 1 newly bought tomato plant that lost its top... everything else will grow back quickly with the spring warmth. The storm came unexpectedly on an otherwise calm weekend night, just after midnight. We were just falling asleep when we heard the rain start and had enough sense to pull the seedlings undercover, but everything else was stuck outside with the near-marble sized hail. Hopefully this will be the last of these events this spring!</div>LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-75122326808925813502012-03-22T22:23:00.000-04:002012-03-22T22:23:13.351-04:00Perennial Containers<div style="text-align: center;">Last summer I bought a BIG 30-inch pot for a tree sapling we were growing on the mostly-shady back porch. The tree died when we went away for a week in July (Oops... it was only to be expected after that kind of neglect)... and looking for a quick bit of color I turned to evergreen perennials to fill the container and ended up with a lovely combination with year-round interest.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2k5zwxpgxlEezH2cV5fuW6ARIOJLf4keu3PuhvKbOJ-Ckt81v2FozaGnNThglOsGGgd2xz8N79ks1F3OhT15GNNWfsm3SbqGuuiPg1XsMSX1jpGU4p11DNyJu8N9xPwCTkD917MDWvZg/s1600/DSCN6145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2k5zwxpgxlEezH2cV5fuW6ARIOJLf4keu3PuhvKbOJ-Ckt81v2FozaGnNThglOsGGgd2xz8N79ks1F3OhT15GNNWfsm3SbqGuuiPg1XsMSX1jpGU4p11DNyJu8N9xPwCTkD917MDWvZg/s400/DSCN6145.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Perennials make a cost-efficient choice for containers that will keep season after season. Just make sure when picking your perennial container combos that you pick plants that are hardy to at least 1 zone colder than the zone you are in since roots in a pot gets colder than roots in the ground (i.e. Raleigh is zone 7 so I made sure these were hardy to at least zone 6). While I love my annuals in the sun, shade containers are a place where perennials really steal the show for interest. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9OK8vnyrtZwnLrDFtFesh38gcD7LtWC57uIzsSWi7988zPTncdNVZgwjtVjNIJ9JtJlfXrIdpcJ2dGdRdeaFqKzpGze_7Ozw7d0HiEko1saJse3Y5edbq7tR3R30UzIC51_h5QuCf6Ew/s1600/DSCN6144.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9OK8vnyrtZwnLrDFtFesh38gcD7LtWC57uIzsSWi7988zPTncdNVZgwjtVjNIJ9JtJlfXrIdpcJ2dGdRdeaFqKzpGze_7Ozw7d0HiEko1saJse3Y5edbq7tR3R30UzIC51_h5QuCf6Ew/s320/DSCN6144.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTHwMambtGRYgCDjz9C-ptcHq2WnXB2_KplksoXQaUFVXVj60lwzaPWMt1PPc1FIaayd0ysp8EpJRH2BQmoRYr5laaR66zmcanPl8dWje7ecyivSET-jgmSHBW2D_4cgHrg4guYqQC11y/s1600/DSCN6142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTHwMambtGRYgCDjz9C-ptcHq2WnXB2_KplksoXQaUFVXVj60lwzaPWMt1PPc1FIaayd0ysp8EpJRH2BQmoRYr5laaR66zmcanPl8dWje7ecyivSET-jgmSHBW2D_4cgHrg4guYqQC11y/s320/DSCN6142.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This container features the Tassel Fern, <i>Polystichum polyblepharum</i><br />
with its unique fuzzy stems, and a personal favorite for the shade, Coral Bells, <i>Heuchera</i> 'Palace Purple' which shoot up delicate bell-shaped blooms in the mid spring, with a punch of Periwinkle Vine, <i>Vinca minor</i>, for a trailing effect.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-6972801039004227252012-03-17T15:36:00.000-04:002012-03-17T15:36:42.814-04:00Plant Spotlight: Thalia Daffodil<div style="text-align: center;">The Daffodils are in bloom in North Carolina! Daffodils, or Narcissus, provide some of the most reliable late-winter / early-spring blooms in the south. There are TONS of varieties out there, and I have at least 10 different type scattered around the garden, but my favorite by far is <b><i>Narcissus</i> 'Thalia'</b>.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIXKPO3tKExDx6WO5v2PiEToCKTr3oTzYLklQ96ayW6idrYdlY9VcZClG_ABUgg7tk0LqX6-M_hIwtYDZGsFHp24jUuyoV5zRER9Adz0pzjsy3eLmOLXRVfSxIRw17iAy6PoTbxacYYBW/s1600/DSCN6140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIXKPO3tKExDx6WO5v2PiEToCKTr3oTzYLklQ96ayW6idrYdlY9VcZClG_ABUgg7tk0LqX6-M_hIwtYDZGsFHp24jUuyoV5zRER9Adz0pzjsy3eLmOLXRVfSxIRw17iAy6PoTbxacYYBW/s320/DSCN6140.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5oLo67aGuo_RnjENLwhyphenhyphenlMmdU05lOYvuBVLXiaHG-_w3C09ygfqam5TTgzG1Hawq3Pt5z8QbIJQInUb28YFQS5epHU2pb4JmccumiaXAw3H10JjKOtUsa0aUQsR18dcaMlo767sffPzp/s1600/DSCN2552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5oLo67aGuo_RnjENLwhyphenhyphenlMmdU05lOYvuBVLXiaHG-_w3C09ygfqam5TTgzG1Hawq3Pt5z8QbIJQInUb28YFQS5epHU2pb4JmccumiaXAw3H10JjKOtUsa0aUQsR18dcaMlo767sffPzp/s320/DSCN2552.jpg" width="240" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This beautiful bulb has 2-3 almost pure white flowers per stalk that have a wonderful delicate fragrance. They naturalize well in our southern soils and do better than most at flowering even as the bulbs get crowded. A great Narcissus to try if you are tired of the old yellow varieties!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-62016217583157407632012-03-14T16:05:00.001-04:002012-03-14T16:06:18.370-04:00Landscaping Makes "Cents"<div style="text-align: center;">On the fence about your landscaping? Check out this article from a local garden center on how landscaping can increase your resale value and tips to keep it up:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fairviewgardencenter.com/tips/landscaping_values.html?utm_source=Friends+of+Fairview%2C+March+14%2C+2012&utm_campaign=enewsletter&utm_medium=email" target="_blank">Fairview Garden Center - Landscaping Makes "Cents"</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLe-N9ptbbH9RuaWJw_qd2rccuUyjQa695QTYf3zVJBLTAI0vqC13sTpdq_hMkPrVLIqVgEnAZ30bokqffxdUQ58NdqOSQ1plKSy9MR7V8i4C6zZJq988mt11T-hw-Pcv8gFlGLKaHmWL/s1600/DSCN3656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLe-N9ptbbH9RuaWJw_qd2rccuUyjQa695QTYf3zVJBLTAI0vqC13sTpdq_hMkPrVLIqVgEnAZ30bokqffxdUQ58NdqOSQ1plKSy9MR7V8i4C6zZJq988mt11T-hw-Pcv8gFlGLKaHmWL/s400/DSCN3656.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Front Landscape</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-67500888066927048512012-03-08T11:52:00.001-05:002012-03-08T11:53:54.193-05:00Getting the Border Ready for Spring<div style="text-align: center;">The first week of March usually marks the start of the spring scramble in this house. All the dreams of garden projects we wanted to get done by spring are now facing a reality of being put off for next year, as we ready the garden for spring. Id already cleaned up the perennials and the roses, and all that was left to tackle was the butterfly bush. Its been a warm winter here as in much of the country, and the shrub still had as much foliage as it did in late fall....until I channeled my inner Edward Scissorhands and gave it a good pruning... from around 8 feet to just under 1 foot.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0dpDHo6SmN82sBRkr283fTdE4zATYmAQwQpq9gk0NnrJWqLHavLQU5MEI8lhsfzFUUrrV8ugzXGZy6Thyphenhyphen-XsVroPnh1qcOnHvJhtVvoK-rpQ9Nik-tYZidIxf350xAvdfkjP3PZNQ_XC/s1600/DSCN5752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0dpDHo6SmN82sBRkr283fTdE4zATYmAQwQpq9gk0NnrJWqLHavLQU5MEI8lhsfzFUUrrV8ugzXGZy6Thyphenhyphen-XsVroPnh1qcOnHvJhtVvoK-rpQ9Nik-tYZidIxf350xAvdfkjP3PZNQ_XC/s320/DSCN5752.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9ZbADRLQSoSmdHTyYOWMQDnsiamrsHcEGcUpb6XW_LhAvrEMsUnftWFoP8-cXNI_aLY0jcJfIvYEsd3UFIEiAZFbYCdBUmXYuq3GyD2P_WS5MZcgzTo6oDfL4-DRPudwdY3YPri_U4Bx/s1600/DSCN5763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9ZbADRLQSoSmdHTyYOWMQDnsiamrsHcEGcUpb6XW_LhAvrEMsUnftWFoP8-cXNI_aLY0jcJfIvYEsd3UFIEiAZFbYCdBUmXYuq3GyD2P_WS5MZcgzTo6oDfL4-DRPudwdY3YPri_U4Bx/s320/DSCN5763.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Butterfly bushes are some of the most commonly used landscape shrubs in our area, and rightly so because of their beautiful blooms that keep coming all summer. But with any widely-used plant, some people buy them without learning how to correctly care for them. The key to keeping your butterfly bush full and healthy year to year is to cut it back with some sharp bypass loppers to about 1 foot in the spring when new growth emerges. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93SWsXVeB45a5evgBb-fdMdGIOYc7oA63yxdYYo6Mjod_GGWxDW2-rwVVqcRTE0qZV8QD2LEoho5ATOPR7QOIq9BFWNRWzPn1ao5_qeBoIN3j63m0pXs7a_jgqhiTLyTi06dCgVPkAb2m/s1600/DSCN5756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93SWsXVeB45a5evgBb-fdMdGIOYc7oA63yxdYYo6Mjod_GGWxDW2-rwVVqcRTE0qZV8QD2LEoho5ATOPR7QOIq9BFWNRWzPn1ao5_qeBoIN3j63m0pXs7a_jgqhiTLyTi06dCgVPkAb2m/s400/DSCN5756.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdU0WWP3I-rJR0yh5u4tTtasiT03KS6aDbtvmWuMjkxprYStD-SmwnMgUlhQQXCffTQMOEzpKeblcadw9Y4kcBNB_ukOEfEYexiahvbGxWJpkjHqATmuDWneS1ohkzYFYIBuDKH3SHnjE8/s1600/DSCN5762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, you do not have to cut a butterfly bush back in the South, as the stems stay alive year round here, but be warned: they will grow to almost 20 feet in this area if not pruned! That and the pruning increases flowering dramatically, and gives the bush a cleaner shape. The most common mistake with this shrub is to cut it back too early (in the fall or early winter) leaving its hollow stems vulnerable to frost damage. Even in the early spring I make sure to make my cuts at least 1/2 inch above a growing point (i.e. a new leaf) in case temperatures drop.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdU0WWP3I-rJR0yh5u4tTtasiT03KS6aDbtvmWuMjkxprYStD-SmwnMgUlhQQXCffTQMOEzpKeblcadw9Y4kcBNB_ukOEfEYexiahvbGxWJpkjHqATmuDWneS1ohkzYFYIBuDKH3SHnjE8/s1600/DSCN5762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdU0WWP3I-rJR0yh5u4tTtasiT03KS6aDbtvmWuMjkxprYStD-SmwnMgUlhQQXCffTQMOEzpKeblcadw9Y4kcBNB_ukOEfEYexiahvbGxWJpkjHqATmuDWneS1ohkzYFYIBuDKH3SHnjE8/s400/DSCN5762.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">And now all there is to do is throw down some all-purpose fertilizer (I prefer organic products and love the "good stuff" in <a href="http://www.espoma.com/p_consumer/tones_overview.html">Espoma's Plantone</a> to give the border a boost in the spring) and just wait for summer blooms!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-31101936353406633782012-03-01T22:16:00.000-05:002012-03-01T22:16:17.745-05:00Crocus for Early Spring Color<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Crocus are a reliable early spring blooming blub for our area that is usually the first to bloom in our garden. We have the tiny bulbs scattered throughout the garden in bunches: some in the far back amongst the roots of a big tulip poplar, among the perennials in the border, and even a few under a tree in our front yard.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-loP8FmoqXa5wnWpyptJtL2Cc-gFNcmAsixDQEMjwhkqi_yOz4bc_03Djr6nLBTz_t3v67ERkcjptaBNnLdhiYbD9wVhz_0WPvGHktjkNkQqaza2SjhczY3nUboKkhKcT9I48a0_VfK-X/s1600/DSCN5713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-loP8FmoqXa5wnWpyptJtL2Cc-gFNcmAsixDQEMjwhkqi_yOz4bc_03Djr6nLBTz_t3v67ERkcjptaBNnLdhiYbD9wVhz_0WPvGHktjkNkQqaza2SjhczY3nUboKkhKcT9I48a0_VfK-X/s320/DSCN5713.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Nb7whQ28j2gl9dH35PrhQ35gQbRkMQmKAs1nAKmFbcM4JGX4amvR6YXzfOY8jkP3cRRTkTUYwvRPSMunofG9rDsiZgc2zy1sn1CVC8YEe5_iYysvcsPFtyP4D3tDpdQGSSQnF-2sPmKZ/s1600/DSCN5709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Nb7whQ28j2gl9dH35PrhQ35gQbRkMQmKAs1nAKmFbcM4JGX4amvR6YXzfOY8jkP3cRRTkTUYwvRPSMunofG9rDsiZgc2zy1sn1CVC8YEe5_iYysvcsPFtyP4D3tDpdQGSSQnF-2sPmKZ/s320/DSCN5709.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">We have several varieties in the garden, but only one that is bold colored and vigorous enough to form a patch big enough to be seen from our back windows. This is the star of the show,<i> <b>Crocus tommasinianus</b></i><b> 'Ruby Giant'</b>. This variety is super care free, cheap to buy, and will grow almost anywhere! Id recommend this Crocus variety for anyone looking for an early spring show.</div>LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-9453870439872168522011-06-16T18:23:00.001-04:002011-06-16T20:31:58.146-04:00June Bloom Day<div style="text-align: center;">Its mid month again, time for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day sponsored by Carol at <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2011/06/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-june-2011.html">May Dreams Gardens</a>... only I'm a little late, but not too late too be blog number 171 on her list! This is also a perfect chance for me to catch up on everything that's blooming in the summer borders. Right now the star of the show is the 'Jacob Cline' Bee-Balm (<i>Monarda didyma </i>'Jacob Cline'), which is in full bloom and yet to be touched by any rains.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Bd9h53yP34W5j605HK4TOq5s17B0ByGrpZVQ-UNnHaEA7KuJi0RiWi31qy1-NxCtoqTHw0D13uk5ZvQL0Gti53UdZ3TsxdoTRgBmo5V5Pqsml9MLdhidGZt8hVrvVZLk8garRtKUWVAB/s1600/DSCN3869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Bd9h53yP34W5j605HK4TOq5s17B0ByGrpZVQ-UNnHaEA7KuJi0RiWi31qy1-NxCtoqTHw0D13uk5ZvQL0Gti53UdZ3TsxdoTRgBmo5V5Pqsml9MLdhidGZt8hVrvVZLk8garRtKUWVAB/s640/DSCN3869.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinspa3zJc4Boe-SfGL7jqoMcSP7jQa7GDjkaaampsI619ixZr1LtKavPwZdHUba77_M7vlLRB4UA9ZmInDCONHUtDc5EfFDWTJvIQD0Oorz4dakHmxfUFXnrfSbk10cLmhKO0uVU8ZL_2k/s1600/DSCN3809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinspa3zJc4Boe-SfGL7jqoMcSP7jQa7GDjkaaampsI619ixZr1LtKavPwZdHUba77_M7vlLRB4UA9ZmInDCONHUtDc5EfFDWTJvIQD0Oorz4dakHmxfUFXnrfSbk10cLmhKO0uVU8ZL_2k/s640/DSCN3809.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
We have only had 1/4 inch of rain in the past few weeks, and although we set up the sprinkler on all the beds about once a week, we can never get quite enough water for the plants... and its starting to show. The constant temperatures about 90 don't help either. We were supposed to get storms last night but they swung south.... and so out comes the hose again, but that's what it takes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P-Q8M9bxu-h6rZxXxir4SR3pjxlS1m-gGB0jQbuAx3hChgDZjfJDLnHY78VVDGQ2rVcQ620hZCmm0myRg9jrWHVeV70B-3RQtRYma7Fv4HKXRtILFHVYtGUw6W1Y8Lxl70I-v2fbfwDM/s1600/DSCN3866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P-Q8M9bxu-h6rZxXxir4SR3pjxlS1m-gGB0jQbuAx3hChgDZjfJDLnHY78VVDGQ2rVcQ620hZCmm0myRg9jrWHVeV70B-3RQtRYma7Fv4HKXRtILFHVYtGUw6W1Y8Lxl70I-v2fbfwDM/s400/DSCN3866.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The familiar faces of summer are returning to the garden. The first Purple Cone flowers (<i>Echinacia purpurea</i>) have just opened. A personal favorite of mine, <i>Crocosmia</i> 'Lucifer', is also just opening. I just love the exotic flower and the large linear leaves add interest even when not in bloom. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqd9IRWdUqu5OJgJX7oHnfMEGts7kGLBCIFj6mODW2e153UnVozDTPYOY-io9UJ-bkHEHUeCXGCD3NEUfawFJF310TeDrFuFC0Wt3ATrYvObS8PEAZtFXjMdgRaPeKSH78Fl_o_pI_jXz/s1600/DSCN3867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqd9IRWdUqu5OJgJX7oHnfMEGts7kGLBCIFj6mODW2e153UnVozDTPYOY-io9UJ-bkHEHUeCXGCD3NEUfawFJF310TeDrFuFC0Wt3ATrYvObS8PEAZtFXjMdgRaPeKSH78Fl_o_pI_jXz/s400/DSCN3867.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>June is full of blooms of all shapes and colors, too many to capture. A few more beauties right now are a pink Yarrow (<i>Yarrow millefolium </i>'Summer Pastels'), Route 66 Coreopsis (<i>Ceoropsis verticillata </i>'Route 66'), Perennial Plumbago (<i>Plumbago ariculata), </i>Japanese Aster (<i>Kalimeris pinnatafida</i>), and a sunflower planted by the birds.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8FvPeAbGGabNKk2tsM4pPbURX-VhnK4Kj1Te5QVBsiOQR6NAI-KgvAWLXZVhAANcy-4h8pLZbI1nkSGK3yAZRXQYZqJjKb2NYmBop9oh6WbUSTq2enEr7BF8OBfNCKVpvSxj7pvo8M7X/s1600/DSCN3690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8FvPeAbGGabNKk2tsM4pPbURX-VhnK4Kj1Te5QVBsiOQR6NAI-KgvAWLXZVhAANcy-4h8pLZbI1nkSGK3yAZRXQYZqJjKb2NYmBop9oh6WbUSTq2enEr7BF8OBfNCKVpvSxj7pvo8M7X/s200/DSCN3690.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvMpWb_LyICu2LpvWabUfab_gU-Xcd0zVh0VHxlbS5JyCHDXdtha2PI2nTmP2J3KncV6sqS4KiI9TqcOVfYcEtsI-w_OkwD0cQJ-5LBqgrkaNbfgFA_x_FomrbJcH4KGXT_rYuew8wyDn/s1600/DSCN3835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvMpWb_LyICu2LpvWabUfab_gU-Xcd0zVh0VHxlbS5JyCHDXdtha2PI2nTmP2J3KncV6sqS4KiI9TqcOVfYcEtsI-w_OkwD0cQJ-5LBqgrkaNbfgFA_x_FomrbJcH4KGXT_rYuew8wyDn/s200/DSCN3835.jpg" width="200" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLS13aSC5o2kEksyG-PnauqHsm4W4W6cpR2JK3jYxtmMlFBHkveh-UoAfMnRR9E4VpgwjCEmFLMIf98CZ3QYgEsRc11bI4M0aX-ao8QB-PLc9ngfCC5GQ2EOypBWSg308XHK0jBVXe8rjs/s1600/DSCN3887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLS13aSC5o2kEksyG-PnauqHsm4W4W6cpR2JK3jYxtmMlFBHkveh-UoAfMnRR9E4VpgwjCEmFLMIf98CZ3QYgEsRc11bI4M0aX-ao8QB-PLc9ngfCC5GQ2EOypBWSg308XHK0jBVXe8rjs/s200/DSCN3887.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XD0mECumKeUMNvGnnY_FzU0Y7br6FdcsXByH3V4TAd-9PYAPgSdi1e8gcdFUEimRXglRwKJC1NxMpQxexS8QYtTa7H63ShBqsVAR7vlAx517qPWf97Xhg4aTSk-FZI6bgCS7zswTVfjL/s1600/DSCN3878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XD0mECumKeUMNvGnnY_FzU0Y7br6FdcsXByH3V4TAd-9PYAPgSdi1e8gcdFUEimRXglRwKJC1NxMpQxexS8QYtTa7H63ShBqsVAR7vlAx517qPWf97Xhg4aTSk-FZI6bgCS7zswTVfjL/s200/DSCN3878.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRMRDHnN5dAXNQtENekr-BCCniVu-lpJ3nssd752U1G30Tu4ybhKOB1EpERDGslZpILFiuPS9WhO3qG0lkvQYDsqEAGo_ap4RyBCK5cXH9Peoq-h-nAzqty-7Qcwt0jXo2DE9sNLAf9-4/s1600/DSCN3883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRMRDHnN5dAXNQtENekr-BCCniVu-lpJ3nssd752U1G30Tu4ybhKOB1EpERDGslZpILFiuPS9WhO3qG0lkvQYDsqEAGo_ap4RyBCK5cXH9Peoq-h-nAzqty-7Qcwt0jXo2DE9sNLAf9-4/s400/DSCN3883.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Two more of my favorites June bloomers are Culver Root (<i>Veronicastrum virginicum</i>) and Tomato Soup Coneflower (<i>Echinacea </i>'Tomato Soup'). The Echinacea is not quite as red as some pictures I have seen of it in other gardens, but mine generally gets a beautiful striping effect.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrvHYtTy_JPGg78U_bwJXf3FZGH29QS7nzamFHS1n-pU_-56VjYHZI78viqjn63xgKD-iYzRCLqQztZITndNpTuDWVSh8d7roNoYu33MmoA1bm97dKr1VPXvH7lWw_iduUwXMGaHzPgOb/s1600/DSCN3904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrvHYtTy_JPGg78U_bwJXf3FZGH29QS7nzamFHS1n-pU_-56VjYHZI78viqjn63xgKD-iYzRCLqQztZITndNpTuDWVSh8d7roNoYu33MmoA1bm97dKr1VPXvH7lWw_iduUwXMGaHzPgOb/s400/DSCN3904.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjix14dMJVHZZY9VP9LDbtSfCuDCw8aIK-ze1klHevU_29YKkfeCgeY38V2BSBBa1vWvd58_98TSn1jO08yUsP3_iztGDLQgoe5fvt5xiyfSvjtsfcLthKD1wxOLcNu2hZSmXESe3IkX476/s1600/DSCN3875_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjix14dMJVHZZY9VP9LDbtSfCuDCw8aIK-ze1klHevU_29YKkfeCgeY38V2BSBBa1vWvd58_98TSn1jO08yUsP3_iztGDLQgoe5fvt5xiyfSvjtsfcLthKD1wxOLcNu2hZSmXESe3IkX476/s400/DSCN3875_2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
The Clematis (<i>Clematis</i> 'Ernest Markham') is also blooming, for the first time I've seen. Actually we thought it was a different variety ('Nelly Moser') because that's what the tag said, until it bloomed with a deep burgundy flush instead of white. I guess that's the chance you take with clearance plants. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlQd4TkdReH-Fh8yCy_1x4AXd0KDBt4y8nE_RlKojWDodYATmr1rQ-PNmqMsTbqma6MBWQydaVikXfov8Cm8CZnFeKAnYobcFC-QDQPaGL416DhbI7LrP0dl4Jphd5tlDN_WzDVqfIiiO/s1600/DSCN3893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlQd4TkdReH-Fh8yCy_1x4AXd0KDBt4y8nE_RlKojWDodYATmr1rQ-PNmqMsTbqma6MBWQydaVikXfov8Cm8CZnFeKAnYobcFC-QDQPaGL416DhbI7LrP0dl4Jphd5tlDN_WzDVqfIiiO/s400/DSCN3893.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
There are quite a few day lilies (<i>Hemerocallis</i>) splashed in the garden too... but 'Lady Elizabeth' is my favorite, with its near-white color. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcbNS2cwY3f_wotAAURxCLXlsrbz185PaCjtdhvumc9egqJ_AeOgafZNxLZLeBtgPlVsxMnbyZLXKFbeYVjescy2pnFL5DvWQKXvjo4SfOWhPJ3Ail_x7ZpzJQDIgkWvvVbBOsnz2STLX/s1600/DSCN3903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcbNS2cwY3f_wotAAURxCLXlsrbz185PaCjtdhvumc9egqJ_AeOgafZNxLZLeBtgPlVsxMnbyZLXKFbeYVjescy2pnFL5DvWQKXvjo4SfOWhPJ3Ail_x7ZpzJQDIgkWvvVbBOsnz2STLX/s400/DSCN3903.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
For a passing glance, I will leave you with the first blooms from the Butterfly bush (<i>Buddlea</i>) in our front landscape, a true sign of summers presence. It is almost 10 feet tall already, and I cut it back to less that a foot this spring! I'll have to think of it as my gift to the butterflies. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVUVB8FdFt-kloBebIFWFkt1FHdIQuqxlWJ-xc5avDL_AGHyOYHqxtAEtTf3EC9Vq1Xdr8UKyzWuY19D7Xm1Q86Cq8QnkutZH28PTH182a5n4mZKCr_Zhg84bwSibQme_DpYJvcmUCyK0/s1600/DSCN3900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVUVB8FdFt-kloBebIFWFkt1FHdIQuqxlWJ-xc5avDL_AGHyOYHqxtAEtTf3EC9Vq1Xdr8UKyzWuY19D7Xm1Q86Cq8QnkutZH28PTH182a5n4mZKCr_Zhg84bwSibQme_DpYJvcmUCyK0/s640/DSCN3900.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;">"Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair..." ~Susan Polis Shutz</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxzJ4X5kybKxmcB8KzI27vKvgRUx3SKJalvvlRTHPuUPyr7KenviiMjyA4Id3r3Kx1Ye5QzVDX3cBqTlJbCzK_XFCdapYbmLqRgxdUe15yhpm9Zf8RQYPcNkxD3uobuevNDl5-ph7qNXB/s1600/DSCN3902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-4503750540632610562011-06-07T21:09:00.000-04:002011-06-07T21:09:48.002-04:00Escape to Natures Gardens<div style="text-align: center;">A couple weeks ago Brian and I escaped hot Raleigh for a couple days to camp along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. Ive been late posting this one, as I have started my new job, but after this I will get back to the garden soon! </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dEhqYLIE89Xu-IlfcHqI3y28LPIF9Dmk6tLTCXv7NoipbshV97C0HSkyDxiOKdXAP6uO7ipnXczf93iFH0R0BbQjD9IqwanaVsLnCPPKNdMBeuPGyPRk9gTECtYda3iRL-gpreyFRcl1/s1600/DSCN3552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dEhqYLIE89Xu-IlfcHqI3y28LPIF9Dmk6tLTCXv7NoipbshV97C0HSkyDxiOKdXAP6uO7ipnXczf93iFH0R0BbQjD9IqwanaVsLnCPPKNdMBeuPGyPRk9gTECtYda3iRL-gpreyFRcl1/s640/DSCN3552.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Just a 2 hr and 45 minute drive north from our little garden gets us to some amazing hiking and camping spots in Rocky Knob Recreation Area of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Although we have been to this area before, this time was special because we were at the peak of the Flame Azalea blooms with wildflower accompaniments, in the best section of the parkway to see it, with the rainy weather keeping away any crowds. For most of this post, I'll let John Muir take the reigns. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="aptureStartContent"><span class="body">"The mountains are calling and I must go"</span></span></div></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoggKW9t-AdxusvaAlldjqvI9GnZr698eMhcTLcPVshfXQ_PBp6O1LHBHzoD0ajCoacAS6t_VK2P2bxwfyHOiJrmvckdpRqhynX_dPu9-gaZK8BnRtXB6JESyCZVZRGEqjyj-_hpKTgun/s1600/DSCN3448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoggKW9t-AdxusvaAlldjqvI9GnZr698eMhcTLcPVshfXQ_PBp6O1LHBHzoD0ajCoacAS6t_VK2P2bxwfyHOiJrmvckdpRqhynX_dPu9-gaZK8BnRtXB6JESyCZVZRGEqjyj-_hpKTgun/s640/DSCN3448.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span id="aptureStartContent"><span class="body">"</span></span>Now comes sundown. The west is all a glory of color transfiguring everything. Far up the Pilot Peak Ridge the radiant host of trees stand hushed and thoughtful, receiving the Sun’s good-night, as solemn and impressive a leave-taking as if sun and trees were to meet no more. The daylight fades, the color spell is broken, and the forest breathes free in the night breeze beneath the stars. "<span id="aptureStartContent"><span class="body"> </span> <br />
<span class="bodybold"></span></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8IJuVvGbTbp2sCq7TTD8GSTyEGu0zQNMLOme3_8JMghyphenhyphenIiy_kf4zGvP8VGvdgepd5LLm5P5x6UWxQfhDYQf9bh7G_QDkoj6jzBQSSd6tuSDKpXsB9UMwdBcGaQ-vDZeSNlQyryp0TrbE/s1600/DSCN3469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8IJuVvGbTbp2sCq7TTD8GSTyEGu0zQNMLOme3_8JMghyphenhyphenIiy_kf4zGvP8VGvdgepd5LLm5P5x6UWxQfhDYQf9bh7G_QDkoj6jzBQSSd6tuSDKpXsB9UMwdBcGaQ-vDZeSNlQyryp0TrbE/s400/DSCN3469.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52fpvkT-6UCpGgkiHNORaxp8nD5loLDYXERGIl8BBdP4Wd1ZCS0ydsEzx9t8dvzxRu9NGiRQIMYm9EMYBpVYdlFDBzrvLToLy0BfXadjUf5IqTzvplOjOsdvILf2pjR8rp5iuGaa9BohN/s1600/DSCN3535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52fpvkT-6UCpGgkiHNORaxp8nD5loLDYXERGIl8BBdP4Wd1ZCS0ydsEzx9t8dvzxRu9NGiRQIMYm9EMYBpVYdlFDBzrvLToLy0BfXadjUf5IqTzvplOjOsdvILf2pjR8rp5iuGaa9BohN/s400/DSCN3535.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">"How deep our sleep last night in the mountain’s heart, beneath the trees and stars, hushed by solemn-sounding waterfalls and many small soothing voices in sweet accord whispering peace! And our first pure mountain day, warm, calm, cloudless, —how immeasurable it seems, how serenely wild! I can scarcely remember its beginning. Along the river, over the hills, in the ground, in the sky, spring work is going on with joyful enthusiasm, new life, new beauty, unfolding, unrolling in glorious exuberant extravagance, —new birds in their nests, new winged creatures in the air, and new leaves, new flowers, spreading, shining, rejoicing everywhere." </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDrhX4uUuwFaiIvAzuExBhq5jEiliZb1AuKjPVlLPQCm3Xy47NT5gF0ydTNOftLKkwiPCft-Upc-bk0QRo5vKAy7goZFwAkF0TBxVw92Ksnxecj5VtZlaWAZTsk-ICzdr7UgqBGD5U9Ay/s1600/DSCN3515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDrhX4uUuwFaiIvAzuExBhq5jEiliZb1AuKjPVlLPQCm3Xy47NT5gF0ydTNOftLKkwiPCft-Upc-bk0QRo5vKAy7goZFwAkF0TBxVw92Ksnxecj5VtZlaWAZTsk-ICzdr7UgqBGD5U9Ay/s640/DSCN3515.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">"Warm, sunny day, thrilling plant and animals and rocks alike, making sap and blood flow fast, and making every particle of the crystal mountains throb and swirl and dance in glad accord like star-dust. No dullness anywhere visible or thinkable. No stagnation, no death. Everything kept in joyful rhythmic motion in the pulses of Nature’s big heart." </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcN0q_HqZEH8pCBqDOm2qCHkk6scVv4V1Ql8lun2tGA_LQ7_vMzUEY-vI6B55RCrXsEcwN4OxmC13Csv06SW5NwcSTdJEjq2HSfxfjPgNQlEE6vcUrpCGGZgALMtMu9RhMvvf-rF6DaaG/s1600/DSCN3550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcN0q_HqZEH8pCBqDOm2qCHkk6scVv4V1Ql8lun2tGA_LQ7_vMzUEY-vI6B55RCrXsEcwN4OxmC13Csv06SW5NwcSTdJEjq2HSfxfjPgNQlEE6vcUrpCGGZgALMtMu9RhMvvf-rF6DaaG/s400/DSCN3550.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5HqVMOYtjFVhbMtrtfRlUmW1RGuo2Cj1onIRi6eNBWjFg-a37PMRIFsVAUvQAC2yBB5U5XSC2t1hmB3VPiwen84Ye7XE2-Z_s4q73ISF0kPXc5PlNAm3Mz22KjxcvrbLUgwndcE_imDt/s1600/DSCN3503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5HqVMOYtjFVhbMtrtfRlUmW1RGuo2Cj1onIRi6eNBWjFg-a37PMRIFsVAUvQAC2yBB5U5XSC2t1hmB3VPiwen84Ye7XE2-Z_s4q73ISF0kPXc5PlNAm3Mz22KjxcvrbLUgwndcE_imDt/s200/DSCN3503.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuj1oMGofTghk2pAGyEoRXldU9VTq_qfZvMqz0FPajU4itpDRD5t_msYTeeOhANLB8QeTSmnEA4N5LFryA340yB9eF1cCPvMm4BDwJNbRwxxNE6fuCxmcyNVbpCcvhx9KxTrzJeehiIMru/s1600/DSCN3547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuj1oMGofTghk2pAGyEoRXldU9VTq_qfZvMqz0FPajU4itpDRD5t_msYTeeOhANLB8QeTSmnEA4N5LFryA340yB9eF1cCPvMm4BDwJNbRwxxNE6fuCxmcyNVbpCcvhx9KxTrzJeehiIMru/s200/DSCN3547.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6g6VpLTmjRJMkcEP8rPvjXwpxir2g_FMlbkNcOyf3xOoHV3hI4aZknozC3B_dqJcqKLkC0QNCL47Hx0udki4unOyIAAzvQX3-_0iGYX7DDABTkqsGCBICsmCGP8emYAtbcT0LT_HhoI-/s1600/DSCN3567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6g6VpLTmjRJMkcEP8rPvjXwpxir2g_FMlbkNcOyf3xOoHV3hI4aZknozC3B_dqJcqKLkC0QNCL47Hx0udki4unOyIAAzvQX3-_0iGYX7DDABTkqsGCBICsmCGP8emYAtbcT0LT_HhoI-/s200/DSCN3567.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3Ms3SaZRHMXZBlvrVx6nTKYUJB02XK2_yp39ED5jchSW2mPJAqAfz4NynH0WT_K8vkb6Vys0QTzZn7-fffYCX1RjPxyB0l1Vs0H-cnQJ5pA0wFk_Yqhwh6fhto8r3lnJxbPrJMaBuUvU/s1600/DSCN3561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3Ms3SaZRHMXZBlvrVx6nTKYUJB02XK2_yp39ED5jchSW2mPJAqAfz4NynH0WT_K8vkb6Vys0QTzZn7-fffYCX1RjPxyB0l1Vs0H-cnQJ5pA0wFk_Yqhwh6fhto8r3lnJxbPrJMaBuUvU/s200/DSCN3561.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBmReW5vWqhXPoi0vsH3tpCKdOjc1Y-tEjuJlV85Db5L9hHJBiAf0yzkgEgvWd6fF5CRvlxdNEC6mDaen5UdMlC0SAsxZUnXOq6BP-JVsrd-Xvu12OX_zMtNO-tID5urJELUtSZ1PWh05/s1600/DSCN3530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBmReW5vWqhXPoi0vsH3tpCKdOjc1Y-tEjuJlV85Db5L9hHJBiAf0yzkgEgvWd6fF5CRvlxdNEC6mDaen5UdMlC0SAsxZUnXOq6BP-JVsrd-Xvu12OX_zMtNO-tID5urJELUtSZ1PWh05/s400/DSCN3530.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Another of those charming exhilarating days that makes the blood dance and excites nerve currents that render one unweariable and well-nigh immortal."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVYIqgxKFMe81441ZBgmGKK2IGxuDiE7ZSzrhwrkLe7ShvpDjJZfp2pmJHfTaHTcKEXPBRwmYgjbets_7mGuhf22rtiV2uUy-lEki76-GLwBjyxFSiPi0eSZxYy1kRjnEZCGQRITeZ8Db/s1600/DSCN3560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVYIqgxKFMe81441ZBgmGKK2IGxuDiE7ZSzrhwrkLe7ShvpDjJZfp2pmJHfTaHTcKEXPBRwmYgjbets_7mGuhf22rtiV2uUy-lEki76-GLwBjyxFSiPi0eSZxYy1kRjnEZCGQRITeZ8Db/s640/DSCN3560.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is necessity; that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life." ~ John Muir</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-12360062270204935482011-05-26T22:44:00.000-04:002012-09-29T16:42:48.485-04:00Staying Cool in the ShadeIt has been HOT this week... like 93 degrees and 70% humidity. But what did I expect? Summer was bound to come soon. While the new growth in the sun border is weeping from the afternoon rays, I found a box turtle taking cover below the <i>Hypericum</i> at the entrance to our shady-path garden.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JdCZJ8_eehGMH1yx2Qh-dRSHEFmKUxdwwufzkETUzTD3im-nZ82YZGCwl9_ThvMOnLLpnQ6oGHBEIwqMGaUI_k7xd7l0-WiJmYCii1kpqdzzHdukZbq8RxU-avpjpNBJsDTp98VCp_nb/s1600/DSCN3587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JdCZJ8_eehGMH1yx2Qh-dRSHEFmKUxdwwufzkETUzTD3im-nZ82YZGCwl9_ThvMOnLLpnQ6oGHBEIwqMGaUI_k7xd7l0-WiJmYCii1kpqdzzHdukZbq8RxU-avpjpNBJsDTp98VCp_nb/s640/DSCN3587.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6Zuwep7Ff8O06CY67XHzm8F0ETT_xD2akdaXXuva_YMWAxEsJDt8a2ocF08N6bdbnL0D4CZDA3bgqc6_SHFrEe6lVEPeYoT1TqeNUkvO4J1OFO7S__FhOw0Be9u-qmyu19hqnoRxTBaV/s1600/DSCN3599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6Zuwep7Ff8O06CY67XHzm8F0ETT_xD2akdaXXuva_YMWAxEsJDt8a2ocF08N6bdbnL0D4CZDA3bgqc6_SHFrEe6lVEPeYoT1TqeNUkvO4J1OFO7S__FhOw0Be9u-qmyu19hqnoRxTBaV/s640/DSCN3599.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Before this area was a typical problem North-side yard... the kind of place where grass dosent grow and run-off washed out any mulch. A large oak just on the neighbors side of the fence adds to the shade. With only a kiss of sun for 30 minutes in the mid-day in summer, this is our only deep shade area in the garden. You can see down to our full-sun perennial border at the far end... baking in the afternoon heat. A couple years ago, with only mud and ideas, Brian started with a simple bubble diagram with the central path and general heights of plants along the wall and fence. It made for a great way to plan a beautiful garden and still "plop" some of those clearance plants in as we find them. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-VbNdLdi4jxt6B3PeK_iDsxHTFnv6dQMvoHP4nTmg1jejwR9MiFOXvQh5IivsPJQmVyr4uJ1RH7Qtf2pw3eJWJm1vOYIjoAxJSDMJS7G1a9HF_Ig5DaxXYkHflqpD1BICMKMMZQQSDeP/s1600/DSCN3604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-VbNdLdi4jxt6B3PeK_iDsxHTFnv6dQMvoHP4nTmg1jejwR9MiFOXvQh5IivsPJQmVyr4uJ1RH7Qtf2pw3eJWJm1vOYIjoAxJSDMJS7G1a9HF_Ig5DaxXYkHflqpD1BICMKMMZQQSDeP/s320/DSCN3604.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRXaSN6bb1f6TkqjsXwvdYjPUGQ9MIJzNb6og5YbjSTZlMpnfYlcgkU6de-QFp-MAUPHxHmp3Xu5HtKtkPTX2qAfXt444rZz__dmSOZBewA6YwQ1CJaq82zprQ9N5-xdk68pZOETnK2by/s1600/DSCN3613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRXaSN6bb1f6TkqjsXwvdYjPUGQ9MIJzNb6og5YbjSTZlMpnfYlcgkU6de-QFp-MAUPHxHmp3Xu5HtKtkPTX2qAfXt444rZz__dmSOZBewA6YwQ1CJaq82zprQ9N5-xdk68pZOETnK2by/s320/DSCN3613.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Possibly my favorite plants in the area are the Ghost Ferns (<i>Antherium </i>'ghost') (left), a cross between the Japanese Painted Fern (<i>A. niponicum </i>var. 'Pictum') and the Lady Fern (<i>A. filix-femina</i>). This variety has the best characteristics of both partent plants, with a stunning color and more up-right habit. White blooming Nandinas (<i>Nandina domestica </i>'alba') (right) add some structure and contrasting lime-green new growth. The flowers are quite stunning as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7D5Ac5kIETjaLbL5QPXseZJLmsehU2csxoU8G1lXU9LHfv2-kppnVv5aVHF_DGZb092qKYC-hT1BoXny29UqEViWyqGhyphenhyphentkBcqc3k_V4Y14w_ad0Ghd-rcIdQ96T59x-7otsYYcfc4V8k/s1600/DSCN3217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7D5Ac5kIETjaLbL5QPXseZJLmsehU2csxoU8G1lXU9LHfv2-kppnVv5aVHF_DGZb092qKYC-hT1BoXny29UqEViWyqGhyphenhyphentkBcqc3k_V4Y14w_ad0Ghd-rcIdQ96T59x-7otsYYcfc4V8k/s400/DSCN3217.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
These soft 'Blue Angel' Hostas (<i>Hosta </i>'Blue Angel') filled a big gap in the shade garden to complete the main part of the path. A gift dug from the yard of one of Brian's co-workers, we split one giant-sized Hosta into 3 still giant size clumps. I am almost embarrassed to say this is the first Hosta I have owned, but having limited shade I was drawn to other textures...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOBJk2svS9sB4lMif5oiOhRPJmXiPtpnVcTtBTV5bkuMBmbdpBhXuCkdR_nC0Hs1hspQBC0ZwHQtozP1m9XdYrLAXXDnodWgBy3GuTg3RnKF-8uKk351iBRFLa2XzwqMnq0F0ThW-mf_w/s1600/DSCN3612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOBJk2svS9sB4lMif5oiOhRPJmXiPtpnVcTtBTV5bkuMBmbdpBhXuCkdR_nC0Hs1hspQBC0ZwHQtozP1m9XdYrLAXXDnodWgBy3GuTg3RnKF-8uKk351iBRFLa2XzwqMnq0F0ThW-mf_w/s400/DSCN3612.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
... like the beautiful, glossy, foot-wide leaves of the Giant Leopard plant (<i>Farfugium japonicum </i>'Giganteum'). In late-October these unique plants are topped with yellow aster-like blooms, but the foliage is really the star of the show.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6aqDjhzkbynFBgR6EuXHbxlnStgk8QdifY6oP3K7YlnbIX-UAxAG5LLXEYkuOM2HKGe_K2iuhkZTFmDTue9QpCcmWE2Psh8nimH2rYZ5mK3jbVwsqrhTMkg1UfxYofuKbty4yJJ7ZRhd/s1600/DSCN3609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6aqDjhzkbynFBgR6EuXHbxlnStgk8QdifY6oP3K7YlnbIX-UAxAG5LLXEYkuOM2HKGe_K2iuhkZTFmDTue9QpCcmWE2Psh8nimH2rYZ5mK3jbVwsqrhTMkg1UfxYofuKbty4yJJ7ZRhd/s320/DSCN3609.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KiE4lPTkbjSQiAS4J-tkEFh8HC8KWMPJyj8QdM1H7QfW7eZQpT9887v0PYZrNscfj2dCcfHlQ1Zi1p5H_SAaJnTPE6PXeAgaF5F2KQ3pAtlJhP2BuWzkd8r7WvEBmUAXJkiW4USqG11H/s1600/DSCN3614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KiE4lPTkbjSQiAS4J-tkEFh8HC8KWMPJyj8QdM1H7QfW7eZQpT9887v0PYZrNscfj2dCcfHlQ1Zi1p5H_SAaJnTPE6PXeAgaF5F2KQ3pAtlJhP2BuWzkd8r7WvEBmUAXJkiW4USqG11H/s320/DSCN3614.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
To help hide the neighbors fence, we added a Climbing Hydrangea (<i>Hydrangea anomala </i>subsp. <i>petiolaris</i>). It is the perfect pick for the spot, as it grabs on to climb surfaces with small hairs along the stem. I gave it a trellis to give it a head start, but now it is slowly searching along the fence for the light. It flowers later than the other hydrangeas, usually starting in mid-June here. Speaking of Hydrangeas, the 'Endless Summer' (<i>Hydrangea macrophylla </i>'Endless Summer') is looking stunning behind our thinking-spot, an East-facing area that is shaded from the afternoon sun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3SoW_Lddg8Opl8C85FRsbPEUadcZnnC2nCzSxliB34pD-sL_0uTiFQcIIQuZ-TMI8wR_T_zm4xle8PtlHlaWTYxnibr7uBdo2qnSQlo-6VhHRh80fHiQhX2RNSw0LcB_QF7N8ba4F9U_/s1600/DSCN3617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3SoW_Lddg8Opl8C85FRsbPEUadcZnnC2nCzSxliB34pD-sL_0uTiFQcIIQuZ-TMI8wR_T_zm4xle8PtlHlaWTYxnibr7uBdo2qnSQlo-6VhHRh80fHiQhX2RNSw0LcB_QF7N8ba4F9U_/s640/DSCN3617.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The Southern Wood ferns (<i>Thelypteris kunthii</i>) add a magical feel... we sit here often and look out on the garden to unwind from the day. <br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_59204549"><br />
</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="body">"Take a course in good water and air; and in the eternal youth of Nature you may renew your own. Go quietly, alone; no harm will befall you." ~John Muir</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="body"> </span> </div>
LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-24067956164382899802011-05-22T21:24:00.000-04:002011-05-22T21:24:49.293-04:00Spring Spotlight: 'Heart Attack' Sweet William<div style="text-align: center;">While most varieties of Sweet William (<i>Dianthus barbatus</i>) are biennial, 'Heart Attack' is one that is known for its longevity. Bold, clusters of carnation like flowers are blood red with a hint of chocolate and a white eye. Blooming on rich evergreen foliage from mid April until early June, it is the star of our spring garden.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCH1JWYKHQMpif2AC8LHKY_xQtKU-s48cvub2HSQfH-RCPyKRAkSyQfXJaw24qFsaqgJ1jzjpPo-eLh2T0DXyXdMnrKJ4jdZ0roMiUUj76JpluzCCikVQ6fmpMTI1xaPvcxGVybQ1wVSMY/s1600/CIMG6120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCH1JWYKHQMpif2AC8LHKY_xQtKU-s48cvub2HSQfH-RCPyKRAkSyQfXJaw24qFsaqgJ1jzjpPo-eLh2T0DXyXdMnrKJ4jdZ0roMiUUj76JpluzCCikVQ6fmpMTI1xaPvcxGVybQ1wVSMY/s640/CIMG6120.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
'Heart Attack' was an introduction from a local nursery, <a href="http://www.plantdelights.com/">Plant Delights</a>, and was found in Southern Europe by their plant explorers. It grows in zones 4a through 8b, and prefers to be shaded from the afternoon sun in southern gardens. It generally likes well drained soils, but does fine in our clay mix. This year, the blooms first started to show April 20th, as the tight buds opened one by one. Although the petals are now starting to fade and some stalks are flopping from the rains, it still makes an impact. After cutting it back I usually get a smaller flush of flowers in mid summer.... but I might wait this year so I can collect some seeds.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nWeKHl26pp_-f4qGmQ6TGhM6WJ6nZtoArOQtXLLBO8hmd_SHj0HlTnGarX8YzIjDpcli8IDGrIJEA39dlh7dm-LUspbFsTWKiYuUf0fB8O8wI80-Os040ItWUliwGjPh_Gt0rT7iCtQT/s1600/DSCN3067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nWeKHl26pp_-f4qGmQ6TGhM6WJ6nZtoArOQtXLLBO8hmd_SHj0HlTnGarX8YzIjDpcli8IDGrIJEA39dlh7dm-LUspbFsTWKiYuUf0fB8O8wI80-Os040ItWUliwGjPh_Gt0rT7iCtQT/s320/DSCN3067.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcu0eu_GOlYyL3kMNmkoRs2E1TPE6UA6g8eKx_M7IVWtvgO6f0xFvPYnD_SO9pRzFv-irlkrS1nP9L5xS-FMOiQxD9FDU1xz4gpST-PSH8uiz6BXDHclmcNWvkpDPtqmv6wQGbaUMF2JV/s1600/DSCN3400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcu0eu_GOlYyL3kMNmkoRs2E1TPE6UA6g8eKx_M7IVWtvgO6f0xFvPYnD_SO9pRzFv-irlkrS1nP9L5xS-FMOiQxD9FDU1xz4gpST-PSH8uiz6BXDHclmcNWvkpDPtqmv6wQGbaUMF2JV/s320/DSCN3400.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
The deep purple winter color is also a great feature on the evergreen foilage, making it an excelent choice for year-round interest in the front of the border. The new grows appears rich dark green in the spring, as the purple coloration fades. It gets to about 16 inches in height when in bloom, and otherwise the foliage stays low. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5u9y0k8T33hxE8bX5ZtrthfHmfeZK7QzWQvIAh2ODGBVY2CYI9mgLrbUe9y_9kVxvXLb6XeaP4Fv-rwgbFteKqlFVEM85Ezxo_BKY2fmetPRsEcKODKbEKzDY3iPOOV0iFC_g7ZfBrsQH/s1600/DSCN1627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5u9y0k8T33hxE8bX5ZtrthfHmfeZK7QzWQvIAh2ODGBVY2CYI9mgLrbUe9y_9kVxvXLb6XeaP4Fv-rwgbFteKqlFVEM85Ezxo_BKY2fmetPRsEcKODKbEKzDY3iPOOV0iFC_g7ZfBrsQH/s400/DSCN1627.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
'Heart Attack' Sweet William is one of my favorite plants, and from what I hear about its perennial nature I will be enjoying the blooms for years to come. Its rich color is made even better by a pairing with the spring blooming 'Minnie Pearls' Phlox, another Plant Delights introduction which will be the topic of my next post in the <a href="http://ncbotanicalconcepts.blogspot.com/search/label/Spring%20Spotlight">Spring Spotlight</a> series.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3FOzcZIBCHgK3-OXYh1NUBs1uRNYAGesyRye5sO3cy1-705t8PwTcqMEbWeALrWJZtBhr8V0XpHzXCaU33M219ARw1nO7EG3_D1CMcZh5MinxaMfdaGxuVhtTdh3xhe0FhUcFeyCs7Dd/s1600/DSCN3325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3FOzcZIBCHgK3-OXYh1NUBs1uRNYAGesyRye5sO3cy1-705t8PwTcqMEbWeALrWJZtBhr8V0XpHzXCaU33M219ARw1nO7EG3_D1CMcZh5MinxaMfdaGxuVhtTdh3xhe0FhUcFeyCs7Dd/s640/DSCN3325.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">"How can one help shivering with delight when one's hot fingers close around the stem of a live flower, cool from the shade and stiff with newborn vigor!" ~Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette</div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"> </div>LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-39764779172162590392011-05-19T11:15:00.000-04:002011-05-19T11:15:23.495-04:00Spring Spotlight: Small's Beardtongue<div style="text-align: center;">Penstemon (beardtongue) is a spring staple in the garden, and we have a couple in our perennial areas as well as wild ones that have free-seeded into the sunny areas near the stream in the back. My favorite specimen of the genus, the native Small's Beardtongue (<i>Penstemon smallii</i>) is no small bloomer. At over 2 feet tall and covered in lavender-colored blooms, this beauty is paid frequent visits by the bumble bees and every so often a humming bird.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiBpOIpWInxUNNcQKyd8xx2S4-oERbswpP353MusAEXtzk1vywpzHYsycJrmOHMHWJmcp3A8eNhGe-2zrZFXDN3OvrL9anuf9MszznSUmxyN_7C6ayX8vWFix1zs9rPZguhl-tjJlcvVJ/s1600/DSCN3383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiBpOIpWInxUNNcQKyd8xx2S4-oERbswpP353MusAEXtzk1vywpzHYsycJrmOHMHWJmcp3A8eNhGe-2zrZFXDN3OvrL9anuf9MszznSUmxyN_7C6ayX8vWFix1zs9rPZguhl-tjJlcvVJ/s640/DSCN3383.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2FHfAAfCo9vy5XwtSOSjs8Csj2wOl3d_HmHbuCAKDuo-SdJ4hO6sCo9mpQSUQ9EaN97F0rI144UU3VoV_TFU4esKE3qExiRfbgSspjl5oEfeIcaWXvmxifYHu0SpDKmELa4LopBrGczZ/s1600/DSCN3382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2FHfAAfCo9vy5XwtSOSjs8Csj2wOl3d_HmHbuCAKDuo-SdJ4hO6sCo9mpQSUQ9EaN97F0rI144UU3VoV_TFU4esKE3qExiRfbgSspjl5oEfeIcaWXvmxifYHu0SpDKmELa4LopBrGczZ/s640/DSCN3382.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The bumbles fly from flower to flower, crawling all the way inside the calyx to get the sweet nectar. Looking closely at the trumpet-shaped flower, the pubescence on the tongue-like petals makes you realize why they call it "beardtongue".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLwFGpdBrp2qSqUZcwiscBwFPgF4YMIys_qcLQtNRlLViw5u-uCPJ-jDzNianp46QDnoG44kA7enFvFXK1aoY4lLQUwr8axLq2-5F9zUD-kv2lwoIxO0i0I-Qn0VZyfQZ9zKYKw6r7Ms4/s1600/DSCN3309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLwFGpdBrp2qSqUZcwiscBwFPgF4YMIys_qcLQtNRlLViw5u-uCPJ-jDzNianp46QDnoG44kA7enFvFXK1aoY4lLQUwr8axLq2-5F9zUD-kv2lwoIxO0i0I-Qn0VZyfQZ9zKYKw6r7Ms4/s400/DSCN3309.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVYpLaIIKmIoj8QJT-T1LmfT7qRMcrGVVpAArGUVCOBzZIZnR2FKwXq-CO2ZiMEiCmUCcRPN7vt5MxRaFzVYmBOH8HDE8d47fzUiqxHcdyDNZoPFMDgPlbgXO2EjcjMkBmN-rmAYEwnZO/s1600/DSCN3341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVYpLaIIKmIoj8QJT-T1LmfT7qRMcrGVVpAArGUVCOBzZIZnR2FKwXq-CO2ZiMEiCmUCcRPN7vt5MxRaFzVYmBOH8HDE8d47fzUiqxHcdyDNZoPFMDgPlbgXO2EjcjMkBmN-rmAYEwnZO/s400/DSCN3341.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Small's Beardtongue is native to the mountain regions of the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama and grows in USDA zones 5a through 9b. In its native habitat it grows in light shade and well-drained soils, but in the garden it does best in full to part sun typical of <i>Penstemon</i> species. My plants (its a clump of 3) came from a class I took in the NCSU horticulture program last year, and grows in 4-5 hours of morning and mid-day sun. It blooms earlier, and for a longer period than our <i>Penstemon digitalis</i> varieties, starting in late April and continuing into mid-June. Last October it graced us with a second, smaller flush of blooms. I hear this is a short-lived perennial so I let it go to seed before cutting it back. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vYrUkbnrSUf6ae4FG7krD-VnDU-Y-_8P0mzlfZYkpOxKvnj54ZyiLdvv4bQ0829LKc0cnbzkKtBqFUjcAowR3TVinLcjSft89Rj2IfkChs_gXGsEuvJxGoC3o3_bnCHWsSvkEmMQQytR/s1600/DSCN3423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vYrUkbnrSUf6ae4FG7krD-VnDU-Y-_8P0mzlfZYkpOxKvnj54ZyiLdvv4bQ0829LKc0cnbzkKtBqFUjcAowR3TVinLcjSft89Rj2IfkChs_gXGsEuvJxGoC3o3_bnCHWsSvkEmMQQytR/s640/DSCN3423.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Following the heavy rains we've experienced in the past few weeks, a few stems have flopped, but it stood its ground better than expected for such a tall plant. We placed these near the front of our landscape border, near a downspout garden. Great for the middle or front of any border or rock garden, this beauty is one of my new spring favorites and a has been sure place to spot the seasons first male hummers. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"The little purple plant, tended by its Maker, closed its petals, crouched low in its crevice of a home, and enjoyed the storm in safety" ~John Muir</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div>LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-78386486230216523502011-05-15T21:00:00.000-04:002011-05-15T21:00:10.137-04:00May Bloom Day<div style="text-align: center;">With everything going on right now, I almost forgot about May's Garden Bloggers Bloom Day sponsored by Carol at <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2011/05/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-may-2011.html">May Dreams Gardens</a>. The perennial border is filled with bloomers this month! I defend for my Masters tomorrow and am quite busy so I will have to substitute my usual closeups for mostly wide shots and a list. It does give me a chance to show off the perennial border, which is looking beautiful right now!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI43bWfwzNRgLgNf2tzQDchWoRcPhV5MtWB-ya2T04IPtF6zKF3Y7zqD3YNBFh3hivZbCHzKCTJnmc_yFRKGVmUNgnu5SCZzd8oOw3JByxLWSydqzTucBwo2_rqi62Bif2tLpuC_y5aqEF/s1600/DSCN3394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI43bWfwzNRgLgNf2tzQDchWoRcPhV5MtWB-ya2T04IPtF6zKF3Y7zqD3YNBFh3hivZbCHzKCTJnmc_yFRKGVmUNgnu5SCZzd8oOw3JByxLWSydqzTucBwo2_rqi62Bif2tLpuC_y5aqEF/s640/DSCN3394.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-am0VtS2BR_8CtDG9C5jJ1ipV0OduOPid25Q7Q38po9-E02Ov3WwK7r9DilyOSW4oZpDty2hkpbhN0QqHV4d-y-MpF95Ok_e4NP9rmLxc7_jnFupn7R6Y4bYrJ56R2xSb-PObL9qbqtBg/s1600/DSCN3396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-am0VtS2BR_8CtDG9C5jJ1ipV0OduOPid25Q7Q38po9-E02Ov3WwK7r9DilyOSW4oZpDty2hkpbhN0QqHV4d-y-MpF95Ok_e4NP9rmLxc7_jnFupn7R6Y4bYrJ56R2xSb-PObL9qbqtBg/s640/DSCN3396.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
Blooming right now: Penstemon, Gallardia, Scabiosa 'Butterfly Blue', Catmint 'Walker's low', Guara 'Whirling Butterflies' and 'Pink Gin', Red Knockout rose, Allium giganteum, Dianthus 'Heart Attack', Phlox 'Minnie Pearls', Coreopsis 'Moonbeam', Purple Flag Iris, Lespedeza, Spirea, Hydrangea 'Endless Summer', Hydrangea 'Annabelle', Agastache 'Salmon and Pink', Lamium... and some more! I hope to feature many of these as <a href="http://ncbotanicalconcepts.blogspot.com/search/label/Plant%20Spotlight">Plant Spotlights</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLf2tQD_Mh5zjNPIb6r63mTYtUKsy0WX5j-plbyeclUs4hsgCSd-M7KnQi6spri86hZmX95vaDZEIhIBCt-j_ceOkgjWN3wO9ZsnIQZrSVmfqETOZFnQ4s5Thsh1XAN0YtyFRC_SAEQPZu/s1600/DSCN3398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhI1-oMmLyPfYonKPd9AHE-neFysTAyED6KX1hrhuVUyE129VXIQMf2-39EFSUDj3qkHobTqGldGD_GqYnLKXO8V9udsExzgaDIh-XNIaB8lByvU4UQ5PQHfmTN_V3P8LZwI7dPzy6pDqf/s1600/DSCN3422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATv3BUEo-Rdts6EWQRTQWst_r9XlDKWCuCNE0x-Od8n2_33Mi7w6wLzwuQZkD0eeBfhvFfWKcVrs0UoiWTKSUpBzaGkUcxQ1U5MSZdhbGVYYoNAEPVxxGXKPp_BDOxz2WR3sjWnhWOv4i/s1600/DSCN3371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYh5cwxAoVSwLxX8VMPLYNty1nF5uf9EhlTMpmKIiSjgrPNIrZbLJnbwO405pFlmHXp2fs13PX_sT-7AEEUdDtLaYQn-Cn2GDG81vzL0zm84tNKX6LE-B5Cnhgpjh56k0fbrKKrsx_0-oM/s1600/DSCN3419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYh5cwxAoVSwLxX8VMPLYNty1nF5uf9EhlTMpmKIiSjgrPNIrZbLJnbwO405pFlmHXp2fs13PX_sT-7AEEUdDtLaYQn-Cn2GDG81vzL0zm84tNKX6LE-B5Cnhgpjh56k0fbrKKrsx_0-oM/s640/DSCN3419.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATv3BUEo-Rdts6EWQRTQWst_r9XlDKWCuCNE0x-Od8n2_33Mi7w6wLzwuQZkD0eeBfhvFfWKcVrs0UoiWTKSUpBzaGkUcxQ1U5MSZdhbGVYYoNAEPVxxGXKPp_BDOxz2WR3sjWnhWOv4i/s1600/DSCN3371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATv3BUEo-Rdts6EWQRTQWst_r9XlDKWCuCNE0x-Od8n2_33Mi7w6wLzwuQZkD0eeBfhvFfWKcVrs0UoiWTKSUpBzaGkUcxQ1U5MSZdhbGVYYoNAEPVxxGXKPp_BDOxz2WR3sjWnhWOv4i/s640/DSCN3371.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"More than anything, I must have flowers always, always." ~Claude Monet </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-45542042846547042742011-05-13T23:25:00.000-04:002011-05-13T23:25:57.672-04:00Spring Spotlight: Banana Shrub<div style="text-align: center;">With so many things going on in the garden, its hard to keep up on what to blog! So I've decided to start a 'Spring Spotlight' series with some of my favorite plants for the season. Hopefully it will introduce readers to some new plants and inspire some gardening ideas. I imagine this will follow into a 'Summer Spotlight' and so on... but who knows! This spotlight is Brian's favorite at the moment. The smell on a warm day is pure bananas! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHw3wz51IwdytDKxvqjOac6T_7rYziYQz2CF3sAjHYEcR7ufHIPCjZvxYWeQk8EZ5Aidb8Frs-uRIVD0kp9CeFM5gbTA8mhf-g3YZWy1-vmqgKAMu5qcsXbfoywqKj0Y7Oxy8HpWcXcqK/s1600/DSCN3240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHw3wz51IwdytDKxvqjOac6T_7rYziYQz2CF3sAjHYEcR7ufHIPCjZvxYWeQk8EZ5Aidb8Frs-uRIVD0kp9CeFM5gbTA8mhf-g3YZWy1-vmqgKAMu5qcsXbfoywqKj0Y7Oxy8HpWcXcqK/s640/DSCN3240.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Banana shrub (<i>Michelia fugo</i>) is a member of the Magnolia family, with thick evergreen leaves and cream-colored flowers. Hardy only in USDA zones 8a-10b, it was a throwaway plant from the nursery where Brian works due to winter damage. We took it home, nursed it back to health, and it thanked us with a month long showing of banana scented flowers from mid-April to mid-May. Ours is only a few feet tall, but the shrub attains a full size of 10-15 feet tall and wide. It prefers an acidic soil so we feed it Holly Tone a few times a year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8pENOB1RttLN8NoOU8ts0_kjBLV8FEcnZpH2YLt3HRvda79VzTNH23ORcJL2X9PRzGcvjh8E5z054IkDsH_5AHB4unCoAl6tlzZrxSaLU6mCSiuEbN_Ljrwtk8S0X6qU51scNtV5sNDf/s1600/DSCN3130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8pENOB1RttLN8NoOU8ts0_kjBLV8FEcnZpH2YLt3HRvda79VzTNH23ORcJL2X9PRzGcvjh8E5z054IkDsH_5AHB4unCoAl6tlzZrxSaLU6mCSiuEbN_Ljrwtk8S0X6qU51scNtV5sNDf/s400/DSCN3130.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHItE3-RXf9c1BEksFpY_3rTiBqLVBsA7Ck1uHNL7rHPb_5s4UrwPjpNxbXlhnpnLtfHiFDjtOzj6q_CUKt9o8YrFfrtQQYSAJl9fwu87EMBFy-dCfPQnhTzlvTH6Oz9ArECdmgToFwcRK/s1600/DSCN3243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHItE3-RXf9c1BEksFpY_3rTiBqLVBsA7Ck1uHNL7rHPb_5s4UrwPjpNxbXlhnpnLtfHiFDjtOzj6q_CUKt9o8YrFfrtQQYSAJl9fwu87EMBFy-dCfPQnhTzlvTH6Oz9ArECdmgToFwcRK/s400/DSCN3243.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPm6JueUcMklVYE9FiP34JeaQyp0B3JtJZyssmr-qj2lT-iEGRcl2XR9YFpshNdVooLX1FYKMAPd2rYeAaFPQkuI7pTbSZ9cous-ZywZCibASeQdVVIAoKCN6EvoqnSn7-QfaqBzElMom/s1600/DSCN3253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPm6JueUcMklVYE9FiP34JeaQyp0B3JtJZyssmr-qj2lT-iEGRcl2XR9YFpshNdVooLX1FYKMAPd2rYeAaFPQkuI7pTbSZ9cous-ZywZCibASeQdVVIAoKCN6EvoqnSn7-QfaqBzElMom/s400/DSCN3253.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">The bugs love this shrub too! Maybe the small spider mite problem draws them in, but I always catch butterflies, arthropods, or beetles sitting on the leaves and flowers. Watching the flowers opening on this shrub were particularly interesting.. I like to think of it as a little botanical study. The bud is encased in a leathery covering which sheds as the petals grow inside. The pink rimmed petals open to show a bright green stamen. As the petals fall off one by one, the stamen is left behind and remains until a new leaf beings to grow. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVS88BGfM0ROYyEaGlkukLaxyFn6zpWecWudEllRFG8YvyL-AWNHWCw3dWITm3vXqRt6l-vfF3paiU3L7PqFgrbdpbniQcie7dgtsIEniZgxxrymnzSLhP29QBE5N5FcGpQR2dcchEDMEE/s1600/DSCN3132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVS88BGfM0ROYyEaGlkukLaxyFn6zpWecWudEllRFG8YvyL-AWNHWCw3dWITm3vXqRt6l-vfF3paiU3L7PqFgrbdpbniQcie7dgtsIEniZgxxrymnzSLhP29QBE5N5FcGpQR2dcchEDMEE/s200/DSCN3132.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wBYs1HBY6Wd4x88AFMEyoeq2hbjn8ecSTTyjaCnp3q2Bl7L8aOGXvcztOPEaf_HFfQzX-rj91D-guFDYI8523dsYYlqwLlCpnqjXzeWUERlLbdrwtW4ytLOxSaF-czzRX9UnLWyxcxEw/s1600/DSCN3133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wBYs1HBY6Wd4x88AFMEyoeq2hbjn8ecSTTyjaCnp3q2Bl7L8aOGXvcztOPEaf_HFfQzX-rj91D-guFDYI8523dsYYlqwLlCpnqjXzeWUERlLbdrwtW4ytLOxSaF-czzRX9UnLWyxcxEw/s200/DSCN3133.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-AO6lURYRZnLkP0yGmTf3Z6JsSNF69bZCe6rfQkLPEZSm1PPyT01Xr85Dk0TPv8luPnieP_vUZfE39BsCfsyxK-89Q3fca-_pTesMLzXxi3dG6dXg4pYVWSQurp3J9fxYOCe18Zud3YO/s1600/DSCN3138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-AO6lURYRZnLkP0yGmTf3Z6JsSNF69bZCe6rfQkLPEZSm1PPyT01Xr85Dk0TPv8luPnieP_vUZfE39BsCfsyxK-89Q3fca-_pTesMLzXxi3dG6dXg4pYVWSQurp3J9fxYOCe18Zud3YO/s200/DSCN3138.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6GM6DceCLRZb0xGU4N9HDLPjCzHQUXoR3uMY2HsrN2HYCexgOPGp3F2F0iCKEVdnVFO9K9MHnTu3BEtXP19ZNAP9d2tGLpTpG7INh36RgzcajU_9MiOAFIQY3VM99uc3tnGEfxWw0lCG/s1600/DSCN3249_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6GM6DceCLRZb0xGU4N9HDLPjCzHQUXoR3uMY2HsrN2HYCexgOPGp3F2F0iCKEVdnVFO9K9MHnTu3BEtXP19ZNAP9d2tGLpTpG7INh36RgzcajU_9MiOAFIQY3VM99uc3tnGEfxWw0lCG/s200/DSCN3249_2.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Introduced to United States in late 1700, this is one of the classic evergreen shrubs of the old south, although the banana shrub is originally from China. It was named after Pietro Antonio Michele, 1679-1737, a Florentine botanist. This plant is new to my garden and we've "Gone Bananas" for it! </div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br />
"To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment." </div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">~Jane Austen</div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-67336495400172572102011-05-10T23:23:00.000-04:002011-05-10T23:23:00.158-04:00First Tomatoes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Over the last week, while I have been holed up inside, the tomatoes were starting in the vegtable garden. I wasn't sure whether the title of this post fit, because the tomatoes are not ripe yet, but early signs of the deliciousness to come is something to celebrate. Pictured below is 'Smarty' Grape Tomato, a purchase from my local plant indulgence, <a href="http://www.fairviewgardencenter.com/">Fairview Garden Center</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbKpTY6_qxSAQqTCfzbf-R20anWeil2VZUCiAwjopABdl7puD0Pu-orzMQ9Up9q6UDjlops32EKrgLD3YzjEX2gsPiaz37nVZw4Z38V50250hfIFNY_tFgQJQVd-Ve6H2kZXoiLXSDuwk/s640/DSCN3363.jpg" width="640" /></div><br />
The 'Mountain Fresh' Tomatoes are also producing small green fruits, but they will take much longer to mature into large red slicing tomatoes. This little powerhouse pictured below is the only hybrid of my tomatoes, and has been producing huge yellow flowers for weeks now. A product of the NC State University breeding program, this is part of the 'Mountain series' which touts disease and crack-resistant fruits with a great taste. Ive grown 'Mountain' tomatoes for 3 seasons now, and they are always the most prolific producers. It has about the best taste I've had for a hybrid, and although it might not taste quite as good as the heirlooms, I grew 3 plants of this variety because its perfect for canning and makes an amazing salsa. Plus I love growing a local variety, that way I know its going to preform well in the North Carolina heat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FqOJGpq2zEDPGIuY67TNRwyiArSbFkpi4WErhHQQemq_mwNpeoPZ2wsFotdUEUZ6VISzyLBtiAbjGLw8nYnlqOBmLrklWHz32wCxgSogLZiMOmytfDI0pEJ56VpLiNqW-R0CDMH1TMXI/s640/DSCN3360.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The tomatoes are filling out nicely. You can see my original plant list on my <a href="http://ncbotanicalconcepts.blogspot.com/2011/04/preparing-vegtable-bed.html">Preparing the Vegtable Bed Post</a>, although I've swayed only a bit.. For tomatoes I'm growing 2 'Green Zebras', 3 'Mountain Fresh', 1 'Smarty Grape', 2 'Black Krim', and 1 unknown heirloom that was in the 'Black Krim' seed packet which looks to be 'Brandywine' or 'German Johnson'. I just couldn't resist planting it to see what it was. I also added some Italian oregano and lemon grass at the far end. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeTbtdJrsvu4ju6yATAXMqdDNMvf-KCqrhgIL6o0b4l-whCirM5L6gbfVnsOC8t4aYEjZUilsPTnrOlg03aWodIvWYnf0uJpQcRm8r7PsdRtIqB7AcsM0yJXegb0uEW_cK_EI8ioyg_mR/s640/DSCN3277.jpg" width="640" /> </div><br />
The larger cages in the picture above were a great find, left by the previous homeowner and obviously handmade from fencing. At 6 feet tall they are about they best support you could ask for. You will also notice the marigolds scattered throughout the vegetable bed. Although I'm not a huge fan of the marigold look (too common perhaps) they do bring some amazing benefits. Besides being deer resistant, they help keep aphids away and their roots secrete toxins that help treat soil nematodes that are harmful to vegetables. I figure its worth the 6 bucks for a couple six packs! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMgEiLuoLskxR9GZQQieMLI17G0YrwYj5vwBBypF_yMUZEbLUGCIOUBEdhApVPOlmSTfiefqeTs43VZvWrx7cmjH5bzRHcRJ6Kj4XloZrXwhyLbVVIa96QTH6G0bert7V1snVbgs-mNSI/s1600/DSCN3285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMgEiLuoLskxR9GZQQieMLI17G0YrwYj5vwBBypF_yMUZEbLUGCIOUBEdhApVPOlmSTfiefqeTs43VZvWrx7cmjH5bzRHcRJ6Kj4XloZrXwhyLbVVIa96QTH6G0bert7V1snVbgs-mNSI/s400/DSCN3285.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKM85uXGajikvLGlEhdhrphLlmcTETW4V4bGOC2oVbjFrrHy1zm6ySnizWf7gZlEVROrqNGIO2zOXPQDA7K1rW2cNSifVZu9j_98zrCe8tOxHo8RpSU2cz8nqqTMVdfelsaOeTXSih_HzG/s1600/DSCN3275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKM85uXGajikvLGlEhdhrphLlmcTETW4V4bGOC2oVbjFrrHy1zm6ySnizWf7gZlEVROrqNGIO2zOXPQDA7K1rW2cNSifVZu9j_98zrCe8tOxHo8RpSU2cz8nqqTMVdfelsaOeTXSih_HzG/s400/DSCN3275.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Holy hops! The hops are growing fast, and since I took this picture a couple days ago, the 'Centennial' hop vines have already met in the middle of the grape trellis. They grow 4-6 inches a day right now, and should set cones within a month, hopefully, otherwise the heat will start to stunt them. The dill is also going crazy. I use fresh herbs almost every day in cooking, I can always find a way to make them fit, but I still grow too much. Good think a couple friends joined me to help eat the dill. I expect the swallowtails to come every year, so I plant a few extra dill seeds to share.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqMuAMTR9kHoiYl-9j9FKTF5cmGG0EgPBPb0DfJ0E_CFe4zEa-X0U2bcZJ88J9baT0-AisTOdanm3sx_SVoiIyYUwAtsJvX8hz_Nm5mR7waZRhdZZty3a8aIDtM6a0_oMd999-tnvYQaQ/s1600/DSCN3292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqMuAMTR9kHoiYl-9j9FKTF5cmGG0EgPBPb0DfJ0E_CFe4zEa-X0U2bcZJ88J9baT0-AisTOdanm3sx_SVoiIyYUwAtsJvX8hz_Nm5mR7waZRhdZZty3a8aIDtM6a0_oMd999-tnvYQaQ/s640/DSCN3292.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
To add a little color, the chives added some blooms. The first is beginning to open, but there are signs of more to come. I probably use these the most of all my herbs, as the onion taste works with all types of dishes. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjqdgWhG2G1oNuMfR8Xc5J7xPCBuKOn1D8Za1T4y_F1afDEvAewgAmai9WYMDQcH4pru3cUwSQjQZXdnFwM7cExbPiCXqOvFAfaLMdJHsAGEe4EiO_ZaupstZwsarubH9H2yMb7SlKY51/s1600/DSCN3359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjqdgWhG2G1oNuMfR8Xc5J7xPCBuKOn1D8Za1T4y_F1afDEvAewgAmai9WYMDQcH4pru3cUwSQjQZXdnFwM7cExbPiCXqOvFAfaLMdJHsAGEe4EiO_ZaupstZwsarubH9H2yMb7SlKY51/s640/DSCN3359.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
So begins the summer vegetable garden. I wonder how long until my little green tomatoes will be ripe enough for a salad...<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">"I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in." ~George Washington Carver</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmyR4MUyYZsClLpk7kvfEVWYlPxDBG14EjZlAwOQQe6-a2hBf6rFdm-xqoJa3k9D34nSZWWSMPov9-XQo80WOrSBzdo9qG-rZbh-CEmbPrVkcoG2RABGFReXXeuebII6L2nlKdVhq8Rzh/s1600/DSCN3333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-18151809924973910962011-05-05T22:42:00.000-04:002011-05-05T22:42:38.468-04:00Peak at the Perennial Border<div style="text-align: center;">Ive been spending the last week or so glued to the computer finishing my master's papers, but the beautiful sights of mid-may outside keep calling me for a break. I told myself I wouldn't post again until my paper is finished, but I couldn't resist... so here's a peak at the perennial border in all of its mid-may glory. I can't wait to have the chance to catch up on all the spring happenings...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVQCugo92CFjITDCXjdaGfYj7CD187dH-MoV_ZTAUxCQhFQMlekAj5_ePPYPwECCtajRUtgTwjh_mPgK-eSaUQhMwjwxBFzj4IlXLlej_rFTR-tNPvwDMgTcGQNS1UukeCkmfN4xF04fZ/s1600/DSCN3234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVQCugo92CFjITDCXjdaGfYj7CD187dH-MoV_ZTAUxCQhFQMlekAj5_ePPYPwECCtajRUtgTwjh_mPgK-eSaUQhMwjwxBFzj4IlXLlej_rFTR-tNPvwDMgTcGQNS1UukeCkmfN4xF04fZ/s640/DSCN3234.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPrMUo0trocvlZtapu_w6ap19mTR9aFTlGx71beeNgEibyGFX9oq065aRw2bl7OXWy3CMLDFyCjXJu0J10DN6y8SlxJiQ0eGWL2BtFBwngbIzl-gsy2sx7gRmAGAz3Y6kmARoDz62m5qA/s1600/DSCN3231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPrMUo0trocvlZtapu_w6ap19mTR9aFTlGx71beeNgEibyGFX9oq065aRw2bl7OXWy3CMLDFyCjXJu0J10DN6y8SlxJiQ0eGWL2BtFBwngbIzl-gsy2sx7gRmAGAz3Y6kmARoDz62m5qA/s640/DSCN3231.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;">"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." ~John Muir</span> </div>LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-13957142472254795762011-05-01T22:24:00.000-04:002011-05-01T22:24:01.109-04:00My Iris Obsession<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love all types of Irises, and am slowly becoming a collector of different species of these unique flowers in the garden. Iris is the Greek word for rainbow, referring to the myriad of colors of the flowers occurring in the wild. In Greek mythology, Iris is a messenger of the Gods, connecting humanity to the divine through rainbows. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoh1Y3SKgkvvy2C-fqdDYXLLHGPpr9XfayuNKV1595tMxy9j7QD-7JUAX8BFF7AYOs8vvHRZ1cDCL11k5ukIn87B5HWlIJlo6FvdkXcOdClwrbIhTeai_Y2nR_ZHMgiShji9QDolE438fQ/s640/YellowFlagIris.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Iris pseudoacorus </i>(Sweet Flag Iris)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I have Irises in many areas in the garden, in both the front and back yards. The Japanese Sweet Flag Iris (above) is one of my favorites, and thrives in a tough spot where the clay soil floods in winter. After the flowers fade, seed pods appear that, when mature, can be collected for new plants. I germinated a dozen seeds in the greenhouse last fall and had 6 new plants for this spring... not too bad. German Bearded Irises are also a favorite, and I am always amazed at the new color choices every year. I can put these plants anywhere, even on a side of a ditch, and they thrive. The foliage is semi-evergreen here, and some, like 'Immortality' and 'Well Endowed' are reblooming, flowering in early May and giving another show in late summer.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQm5TGTOfaBc4FZzeC93bAQYnDggEk5qPaArpn85MfKIP5pXVtIJezdQacI7yeVFvbq3gGJ0XVWbeSXNKbbtqmnmKfwhffED-fg14mRBxCyq0ix2AABvKJ8csUxoEeKs-6tTI20N6PfL1b/s1600/Iris_GypsyRomance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQm5TGTOfaBc4FZzeC93bAQYnDggEk5qPaArpn85MfKIP5pXVtIJezdQacI7yeVFvbq3gGJ0XVWbeSXNKbbtqmnmKfwhffED-fg14mRBxCyq0ix2AABvKJ8csUxoEeKs-6tTI20N6PfL1b/s400/Iris_GypsyRomance.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNXSVfFN7QpRiHFqmpNvB593VZpILr6-nQGCcAV_nKXAwI70QpcNRg4GBwMx6kRZRabdROepXuLl6VGAQ7SaC06kj1BHqjhohxkOQJEMzkh1KmyOLrc72dY4VWB9HMFtp64jtpQVnn32y/s1600/DSCN3122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNXSVfFN7QpRiHFqmpNvB593VZpILr6-nQGCcAV_nKXAwI70QpcNRg4GBwMx6kRZRabdROepXuLl6VGAQ7SaC06kj1BHqjhohxkOQJEMzkh1KmyOLrc72dY4VWB9HMFtp64jtpQVnn32y/s400/DSCN3122.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Above, the jet black buds and rich blooms of <i>Iris germanica </i>'Gypsy Romance' (German Bearded Iris) </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAs49zi7cHNO_FBrtYJGLv-5jhY_-0AwOZ7tcTkkfQixS60YGggntJY9wxXl7ijKzj2XpTP2GbSjeeRejRWH-RQD-NGN6kEoOWmJoHjF5pgfagGydjq2D_3w6VFFGwLLgJU0wYMtdEbHoy/s1600/Iris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAs49zi7cHNO_FBrtYJGLv-5jhY_-0AwOZ7tcTkkfQixS60YGggntJY9wxXl7ijKzj2XpTP2GbSjeeRejRWH-RQD-NGN6kEoOWmJoHjF5pgfagGydjq2D_3w6VFFGwLLgJU0wYMtdEbHoy/s400/Iris.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVE4-t-wsLORe04ckQu-MyGoQT3PP21HHQ1DS4S4WnzHjUFcqhauMC3OoGO-EN2laokQSM554XM0sogzfmVkhm5sP3-xK3zlN4R4jJ1chCslX2qobOYv5BjUdYO8UBdb_67AQQcar2e6C/s1600/Iris1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVE4-t-wsLORe04ckQu-MyGoQT3PP21HHQ1DS4S4WnzHjUFcqhauMC3OoGO-EN2laokQSM554XM0sogzfmVkhm5sP3-xK3zlN4R4jJ1chCslX2qobOYv5BjUdYO8UBdb_67AQQcar2e6C/s400/Iris1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Another unknown cultivar of <i>Iris germanica</i> is blooming at the end of the vegetable bed. A mid-afternoon shower provided a great opportunity for dew-covered pictures. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4yDpPkqQHLaMnKdp6jrUgMoyFiL6XqiAsfcx198qR594rojUMpQFswyn8sUKJFlsIgonQHg_FJ0aRD8ga5f7Ngg2GSZYak3gO30PHhErWmram0AZ7TWDwpja4jlaL3baPuC7DVT7TlDg/s1600/IrisImmortality.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4yDpPkqQHLaMnKdp6jrUgMoyFiL6XqiAsfcx198qR594rojUMpQFswyn8sUKJFlsIgonQHg_FJ0aRD8ga5f7Ngg2GSZYak3gO30PHhErWmram0AZ7TWDwpja4jlaL3baPuC7DVT7TlDg/s400/IrisImmortality.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8WvVQEWwRFUn_JtgDSvkdBvrBOLkCcA5q0mN1P6q2725d4qrOTGIwWxrQoJNaRDTY9bWuI1ofw3U4z374B77pNrMHKKRP_zGL3pcLkq4K_uOFVvV4TJ59J1nYWUDPojewlNt7GNb7oJT/s1600/Iris_Immortality.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8WvVQEWwRFUn_JtgDSvkdBvrBOLkCcA5q0mN1P6q2725d4qrOTGIwWxrQoJNaRDTY9bWuI1ofw3U4z374B77pNrMHKKRP_zGL3pcLkq4K_uOFVvV4TJ59J1nYWUDPojewlNt7GNb7oJT/s400/Iris_Immortality.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
A great rebloomer with outstanding evergreen foliage worthy of the front landscape, <i>Iris germanica</i> 'Immortality' is pure white, with a yellow "beard".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEENl6gyDBYULvUY2GScmXS6OkM82o8G9t2UlR71zBHSGaf-Ux7JVZ1Oq55U2kaWBZQOvkEgrkNSPZEf2WfhWPOiSLF-vubsByRD8bQUFW7Uj0goRMCOvUL2tE1Gwz1ihrpgtIQ1mBVwjl/s1600/DSCN3209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEENl6gyDBYULvUY2GScmXS6OkM82o8G9t2UlR71zBHSGaf-Ux7JVZ1Oq55U2kaWBZQOvkEgrkNSPZEf2WfhWPOiSLF-vubsByRD8bQUFW7Uj0goRMCOvUL2tE1Gwz1ihrpgtIQ1mBVwjl/s400/DSCN3209.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFwqmTgPI9lpUIzKyadzoIdvwcD_7WfUd50fM-f3CYa2ah6yoJ82e1dkYeahxb_V58OfRO4FM4SUFbsCgk8AeaPRG9zot1OPhw2PXhhbAOJR_B1NVbj23IB5f9t_Z_1mmQwUpmD4rDLuV/s1600/Iris_ButterandSugar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFwqmTgPI9lpUIzKyadzoIdvwcD_7WfUd50fM-f3CYa2ah6yoJ82e1dkYeahxb_V58OfRO4FM4SUFbsCgk8AeaPRG9zot1OPhw2PXhhbAOJR_B1NVbj23IB5f9t_Z_1mmQwUpmD4rDLuV/s400/Iris_ButterandSugar.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
I also have started a collection of Siberian Irises, <i>Iris siberica</i>. These beauties have a thin, sword-like foliage and delicate flowers. I purchased <i>I. siberica </i>'Caesars Brother' (left) and 'Butter and Sugar' on clearance last fall and just discovered the beauty of these in the last few days!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-b-Oxm5eNtJQXjj9xEDZWS9EUfjZRDcEFm54C6v4wc6K6G1ZbPYzo4ROG6tAfrfVB0k9pbZ_gIgMemJJpf_V0UFlu4fYGg4N_EoUMWyl5-NH82KrrErU0vNekfVKkkinvz1jDzfWVjn_i/s1600/DSCN3198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-b-Oxm5eNtJQXjj9xEDZWS9EUfjZRDcEFm54C6v4wc6K6G1ZbPYzo4ROG6tAfrfVB0k9pbZ_gIgMemJJpf_V0UFlu4fYGg4N_EoUMWyl5-NH82KrrErU0vNekfVKkkinvz1jDzfWVjn_i/s400/DSCN3198.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A grouping of Japanese Irises (from left to right): <i>Iris pseudoacorus</i> 'variegata' (Varigated Yellow Flag Iris) yet to bloom, Yellow Flag Iris, and <i>Iris versicolor </i>(Blue Flag Iris)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Irises have always been one of my favorite, and I remember them growing in our yard as a child. Now they have secured a solid place in our garden. They look beautiful in a border or solo, and make wonderful cut flowers (although the blooms only last a day or two). I always think of these as Mothers Day flowers, as they seem to bloom around that time. This year they are a little early... but I'm not complaining!<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"> "Thou art the Iris, fair among the fairest, who, armed with golden rod and winged with the celestial azure, bearest the message of some God." ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, from <i>Iris</i><br />
<br />
<br />
</div>LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-36100513006418967262011-04-25T22:32:00.000-04:002012-09-29T16:43:37.930-04:00Picnic at Duke Gardens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sarah P. Duke Gardens, the botanical garden adjoining the Duke University campus is my favorite garden for its beauty and its memories: it was the location of our wedding last June.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk624fEZZPwDE2Vq9ciIRoFHDW-3Hrmyf5Pv7OxyKAYXyYc9zFKcdjQh67K7cRJD0KKE2UG7pnLMWG8pIVtVUbGvhazYdZN4OQSUVFhizUFBFjzVtnPJ6H8TVcCKXeLYDd-VRY4308j_x8/s640/LHBJW0568.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<br />
We were supposed to get married in the angle amphitheater (pictured below) on a balmy 96 degree evening. A quick rainstorm came through and we were moved to the tent at the Doris Duke center in the background, which cooled things off a bit and I'm told means good luck. It also made for a photographers dream lighting, the picture above is from our post-ceremony portraits in the garden (copyright <a href="http://dianemckinney.com/">Diane McKinney Photography</a>). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDCAshjGHiwumixS4_ntawJF824RP6oPzTAIYzQT8muk6yKtykm0SE61qmebbZr1w96evPMk3yuIUzAXLewOCVg9KgTe7pRtRaX9WtJcy_p1JL6GR8oU0M2PCa7KPlBXair2iWlkJqGC7/s1600/DorisDuke_Center.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDCAshjGHiwumixS4_ntawJF824RP6oPzTAIYzQT8muk6yKtykm0SE61qmebbZr1w96evPMk3yuIUzAXLewOCVg9KgTe7pRtRaX9WtJcy_p1JL6GR8oU0M2PCa7KPlBXair2iWlkJqGC7/s400/DorisDuke_Center.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So Brian and I finally got a free day together, and not having been able to get out of town for a few months, I grabbed by sun hat and we made the 30 minute drive over to Duke Gardens for a picnic among the spring flowers. We found a grassy spot overlooking a pond under a snowball viburnum. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-P03HqiJDU0d8RbWZUHcU_lypOFjbT2beNySapaZG1Ha_hmlfuHz7-rxNcmY51dmrCogcCalnDPwzW1XgbhC11mkPtEEWboCnjYjUUsCiBGRaXeFF-tLovpUBEzOG3KP-zvP-95wr0TC0/s1600/Picnic_DukeGardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-P03HqiJDU0d8RbWZUHcU_lypOFjbT2beNySapaZG1Ha_hmlfuHz7-rxNcmY51dmrCogcCalnDPwzW1XgbhC11mkPtEEWboCnjYjUUsCiBGRaXeFF-tLovpUBEzOG3KP-zvP-95wr0TC0/s400/Picnic_DukeGardens.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It was the perfect time to enjoy the gardens, and there was so much to see! Duke Gardens has 4 main garden areas: The Doris Duke Center Gardens (where the angle amphitheater is), The H.L. Bloomquist Garden of Native Plants, The Terrace Gardens, and the Culberson Asiatic Areboretum.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YeGN6VRRgS4r9YHz2-Dil1lWbc9heauMx93zUnHS7TEvQVmdD7G1dtlo-0Yb-rpI2EfahVXvYwhlw3V73zazTeVp3BVm-SHZC0DGF1H_H7FR_RHx-RxeN7CZAYD6fNmFdoFWDYeKTaGv/s1600/Trilium_DukeGardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YeGN6VRRgS4r9YHz2-Dil1lWbc9heauMx93zUnHS7TEvQVmdD7G1dtlo-0Yb-rpI2EfahVXvYwhlw3V73zazTeVp3BVm-SHZC0DGF1H_H7FR_RHx-RxeN7CZAYD6fNmFdoFWDYeKTaGv/s640/Trilium_DukeGardens.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trillium (unsigned species) </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Although there were interesting plants to be photographed everywhere, the terrace garden was the star of the show, with late-blooming tulips and early-blooming Allium. The plant combinations in this area are beautiful and inspiring, with mixes of early-season annuals, perennials, shrubs, and bulbs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNWBFxb4lj0cgfZru40KIB0cH1OfQ7TYgpRy3UP5clzY23BKiqooPXAawQrsj2x2MFuL6DEnM889scCmB4WbtD_gX4aXtddBJ2ykBg4mzPKZOqFDUJQZgbPnXZeiq7xnisF1BZZtQ2g2s/s1600/Terrace_DukeGardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNWBFxb4lj0cgfZru40KIB0cH1OfQ7TYgpRy3UP5clzY23BKiqooPXAawQrsj2x2MFuL6DEnM889scCmB4WbtD_gX4aXtddBJ2ykBg4mzPKZOqFDUJQZgbPnXZeiq7xnisF1BZZtQ2g2s/s640/Terrace_DukeGardens.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilipXzuuZbAHW2KLm9kBCIOUMJkUtcoaVYkijYqvmj_tA-4moku16e8VMfIRNqY0wTlG1Ylqgjo9CdoZoC4ajJQ-suAGowiIlxXe2us7oD6F1I5EduTHln8Bb3eilK0LW4bVBktD2Gs6lF/s1600/Tulips2_DukeGardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilipXzuuZbAHW2KLm9kBCIOUMJkUtcoaVYkijYqvmj_tA-4moku16e8VMfIRNqY0wTlG1Ylqgjo9CdoZoC4ajJQ-suAGowiIlxXe2us7oD6F1I5EduTHln8Bb3eilK0LW4bVBktD2Gs6lF/s320/Tulips2_DukeGardens.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-nfVAPjp1AwRwjUg_yJw8vaCY1lcIqHJVanG8f0-3Qhx0vnobhW3vIOzrIBIYZ10NwYepOBu0HHKxbUhnAxT9-4q7NiccoBTQ4121Y26tlyjzabzzE5Pq2xdWbIkIRB8xWRFvdEnPQzO/s1600/Tulips3_DukeGardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-nfVAPjp1AwRwjUg_yJw8vaCY1lcIqHJVanG8f0-3Qhx0vnobhW3vIOzrIBIYZ10NwYepOBu0HHKxbUhnAxT9-4q7NiccoBTQ4121Y26tlyjzabzzE5Pq2xdWbIkIRB8xWRFvdEnPQzO/s320/Tulips3_DukeGardens.jpg" width="240" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YSWo0CsEeLIownZkrP9MRwkLFwU-LMspm-1-7RCJZzmNCncrRLH7cDFf_b7H-B3oaCQ2wl8LQZ78sVt5e59Rbf4TSS6jM7SJFmW0drIdwzY-EZrNArzkGKXvtMUN5SK7C7LWl94DYRR4/s1600/Tulips4_DukeGardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YSWo0CsEeLIownZkrP9MRwkLFwU-LMspm-1-7RCJZzmNCncrRLH7cDFf_b7H-B3oaCQ2wl8LQZ78sVt5e59Rbf4TSS6jM7SJFmW0drIdwzY-EZrNArzkGKXvtMUN5SK7C7LWl94DYRR4/s320/Tulips4_DukeGardens.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhak4qzGX7e4X0U82kj5lfoYNXX1CXy6c2BovQN3wBrrgR2WQ1DXpIsIL76H39UC89K2e-c5feEzyji3LSwMbtTiZeFCxKSShf-ukNrmSESqV5eJtMtyOqHUFoFob4Q2mb6J4vv0PJsU6/s1600/Tulips_DukeGardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhak4qzGX7e4X0U82kj5lfoYNXX1CXy6c2BovQN3wBrrgR2WQ1DXpIsIL76H39UC89K2e-c5feEzyji3LSwMbtTiZeFCxKSShf-ukNrmSESqV5eJtMtyOqHUFoFob4Q2mb6J4vv0PJsU6/s320/Tulips_DukeGardens.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cRp7IPi0f1ZRqpapi3kP1vYuWrN_5UZh6JiQue3zh0bReQJGwM76PHTEwESZt4xyRxyloU_HlyXOl6F5dvFC_2cARMxUavRergIs2NbMf-x943O99nAxmlJSwUcBWsQseJJPdu-S7qRk/s1600/Allium2_DukeGardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cRp7IPi0f1ZRqpapi3kP1vYuWrN_5UZh6JiQue3zh0bReQJGwM76PHTEwESZt4xyRxyloU_HlyXOl6F5dvFC_2cARMxUavRergIs2NbMf-x943O99nAxmlJSwUcBWsQseJJPdu-S7qRk/s400/Allium2_DukeGardens.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In another stunning area, walking through the largest garden by far, the Asiatic Arboretum, I always discover interesting new plants. Perhaps this is because the gardens are always adding to their collection, with trips to China and Japan. With a lake as its center piece, and a traditional tea house on the shore, the beautiful details transform the North Carolina landscape into a lush Eastern paradise.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSBAslLJCpVmBlzf-n5SJASiz-OzctCA26KOpQXETKinPb8ncPGL4VQcTQVHfuIVmQnWishp9DD_OsthWgfNv1xmRidYk2IyPhItplnh3qbTc77yDFULlEFo2fgQyCmVVf40Mjgnh_SvY/s1600/SpiderAzalea_DukeGardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSBAslLJCpVmBlzf-n5SJASiz-OzctCA26KOpQXETKinPb8ncPGL4VQcTQVHfuIVmQnWishp9DD_OsthWgfNv1xmRidYk2IyPhItplnh3qbTc77yDFULlEFo2fgQyCmVVf40Mjgnh_SvY/s640/SpiderAzalea_DukeGardens.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rhododendron macrosepalum </i>'Linerifolium' (Spider Azalea)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDhirH5fktByOY1ltK4XujrXhlpwN8ZzIbK8WmAgMx0QcLjVMT06gR_itUCZdcARM_MLlLOqugnSR9S_Lq-nk2OdlDDsNhv1cJ1diDFEHWrKOOzlJGxCgpEROi7A0oC_jqkN7FEK-dpAH/s1600/JapaneseBridge_DukeGardens.jpg"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDhirH5fktByOY1ltK4XujrXhlpwN8ZzIbK8WmAgMx0QcLjVMT06gR_itUCZdcARM_MLlLOqugnSR9S_Lq-nk2OdlDDsNhv1cJ1diDFEHWrKOOzlJGxCgpEROi7A0oC_jqkN7FEK-dpAH/s320/JapaneseBridge_DukeGardens.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87Pirafdqon-M7wIsCv57vC6piAUuYb7apOhyphenhyphenla3Y5ACuxc0yG28vJEo-PAgDYT-b2wlR8IbwQFRqP6Cr0KPnc-jt0x0O-VrbAy-1k8Ng-3P76gBmz_ZNZTa7Llj5FwXvhpN3COyyFkvX/s1600/Asclepias_DukeGardens.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87Pirafdqon-M7wIsCv57vC6piAUuYb7apOhyphenhyphenla3Y5ACuxc0yG28vJEo-PAgDYT-b2wlR8IbwQFRqP6Cr0KPnc-jt0x0O-VrbAy-1k8Ng-3P76gBmz_ZNZTa7Llj5FwXvhpN3COyyFkvX/s320/Asclepias_DukeGardens.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDhirH5fktByOY1ltK4XujrXhlpwN8ZzIbK8WmAgMx0QcLjVMT06gR_itUCZdcARM_MLlLOqugnSR9S_Lq-nk2OdlDDsNhv1cJ1diDFEHWrKOOzlJGxCgpEROi7A0oC_jqkN7FEK-dpAH/s1600/JapaneseBridge_DukeGardens.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk17eWEzKb2HHnrKb7yfhhvYIURqsX_XdBWkUL7zqxkFcryggvegNIZG1VA0A8XbD4NlAWkV65E9R2OQ6HAjGoilccsHGXXo0thzUXRtKi5uEpem9joF62XA_b7YY0xw_Xi-PAygrPm9l2/s1600/Anise_DukeGardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk17eWEzKb2HHnrKb7yfhhvYIURqsX_XdBWkUL7zqxkFcryggvegNIZG1VA0A8XbD4NlAWkV65E9R2OQ6HAjGoilccsHGXXo0thzUXRtKi5uEpem9joF62XA_b7YY0xw_Xi-PAygrPm9l2/s400/Anise_DukeGardens.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Illicium henryi </i>(Henry Anise)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Duke Gardens is our special place to get a way for a while outside of Raleigh. Along with a bit of sun and relaxation, I always come away inspired by the unique plants and beautiful designs. With the memories we've made and continue to make there, I'm sure it is a place we will make a point to visit often throughout our lives.<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">
"I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in." ~John Muir</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87Pirafdqon-M7wIsCv57vC6piAUuYb7apOhyphenhyphenla3Y5ACuxc0yG28vJEo-PAgDYT-b2wlR8IbwQFRqP6Cr0KPnc-jt0x0O-VrbAy-1k8Ng-3P76gBmz_ZNZTa7Llj5FwXvhpN3COyyFkvX/s1600/Asclepias_DukeGardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-80050552650486735302011-04-22T09:52:00.000-04:002011-04-22T09:52:27.773-04:00Earth Day Reading<div style="text-align: center;">Earth Day is a day that is intended to spread awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural environment. Things are blooming in the garden, and I was invited by Holley at <a href="http://dreamingofroses.blogspot.com/">Roses and Other Gardening Joys</a> to participate in the Earth Day reading project, a fun little blog meme hosted by <a href="http://thesagebutterfly.blogspot.com/2011/04/earth-day-reading-project-blog-meme.html">The Sage Butterfly</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBTGkpDYPapgAGC3lX5dEupTf4o4R4yVyEOwMiTmadLPrWKzSXr09BoOfiAwdy8zD74kkkw06PdOS4GmUTf-UUcE-qPZ2bIQ8SudyTLpUU08IbgE8myH4564cp3Hn3YLMl1LdvgsStIWb/s1600/CarolinaMoonlight_Baptisia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBTGkpDYPapgAGC3lX5dEupTf4o4R4yVyEOwMiTmadLPrWKzSXr09BoOfiAwdy8zD74kkkw06PdOS4GmUTf-UUcE-qPZ2bIQ8SudyTLpUU08IbgE8myH4564cp3Hn3YLMl1LdvgsStIWb/s640/CarolinaMoonlight_Baptisia.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Baptisia </i>x 'Carolina Moonlight' (Carolina Moonlight Baptisia)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">The rules are simple: create a post linking back to the person who invited you and the original post, list at least 3 books that have inspired you to preform sustainable living or act green and explain why, and select at least 3 other blogs to tag for the project. What a fun idea!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKSFvDhNxBb059b7kC35eYH2fcowOxNxneRfv7tUo3yYxp4msACLz87ejr992Hx6rhwWG9ciFmX5eDlynA_ahH69WEuxcknXsfggmti1LmJ2ezJuxaBfg0z8deEQotw7T1U_l7us7mPBP/s1600/LadyBanks_AlbaPlena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKSFvDhNxBb059b7kC35eYH2fcowOxNxneRfv7tUo3yYxp4msACLz87ejr992Hx6rhwWG9ciFmX5eDlynA_ahH69WEuxcknXsfggmti1LmJ2ezJuxaBfg0z8deEQotw7T1U_l7us7mPBP/s400/LadyBanks_AlbaPlena.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rosa banksiae </i>'Alba Plena' (White Lady Banks Rose)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">I was excited to accept the tag for this Earth Day post, as being in the environmental field I am always reading "green"-type books. My choices may be a bit different, as they are more about environmentalism and living in harmony with the earth than the modern interpretation of "green living". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIk13DfJ427-qQq0-1nR3z1VH89CSJfUluMH1B2Hj0ee01Nvgd6BReEeqHRnn1D0hOhE-wO4Fu8n6kO3uqwhS3aiKtyNv-zXqjsLoPmlZx-m9ey4nN1uqOviys-HfjUG-ROW3OnneXHmbG/s1600/SilentSpring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIk13DfJ427-qQq0-1nR3z1VH89CSJfUluMH1B2Hj0ee01Nvgd6BReEeqHRnn1D0hOhE-wO4Fu8n6kO3uqwhS3aiKtyNv-zXqjsLoPmlZx-m9ey4nN1uqOviys-HfjUG-ROW3OnneXHmbG/s200/SilentSpring.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">(1) <u>Silent Spring</u> by Rachel Carson, 1962</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'll start with a classic in environmentalism that is also a great read about nature. Silent Spring is the epic book that is often touted as the book that started the environmental movement, and played a large part in the banning of DDT in 1970. What starts out as a beautiful passage about the sounds and images of spring, ends with the silence that was brought by wide-spread spraying of pesticides. The book is a mix of science and passion, and describes the effects of pesticides on humans and ecosystems. It also recommends alternative methods, many of which are used today, such as biocontrol. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"We stand now where two roads diverge. But unlike the roads in Robert Frost's familiar poem, they are not equally fair. The road we have long been traveling is deceptively easy, a smooth superhighway on which we progress with great speed, but at its end lies disaster. The other fork of the road - the one less traveled by - offers our last, our only chance to reach a destination that assures the preservation of the earth" </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gB1Vsppm1vcVtCnjJvnirG_yVhauCsAWFtbPgsfbDME9H3DgHsrjK4jArHBpISHc7oL93GAcQlVy9hLudU4p4fdAMlX9-Oz2omclc5lp3hjN9fwyVBYzMqRITaNpnusWf7sAFlXJiy6v/s1600/Gohst_Fern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gB1Vsppm1vcVtCnjJvnirG_yVhauCsAWFtbPgsfbDME9H3DgHsrjK4jArHBpISHc7oL93GAcQlVy9hLudU4p4fdAMlX9-Oz2omclc5lp3hjN9fwyVBYzMqRITaNpnusWf7sAFlXJiy6v/s400/Gohst_Fern.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Anthyrium </i>'Ghost' (Ghost Fern)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">(2) <u>My First Summer in the Sierra</u> by John Muir, 1911</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1IMdFynP-LX3imKmd5N5TBduAbTElyb5Ho1kkRLqPOwGh4QOj2xmXdiYuuFHCiypexNjNswb45h4EqrT-XiON-Wv6orn8venHsgbAR-SXuwG2zPeJBWkcmwdVfRMq-utL5u9pfhovcb8/s1600/MyFirstSummerInTheSierra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1IMdFynP-LX3imKmd5N5TBduAbTElyb5Ho1kkRLqPOwGh4QOj2xmXdiYuuFHCiypexNjNswb45h4EqrT-XiON-Wv6orn8venHsgbAR-SXuwG2zPeJBWkcmwdVfRMq-utL5u9pfhovcb8/s200/MyFirstSummerInTheSierra.jpg" width="130" /></a>If you read my blog, you probably noticed I like John Muir. I just love his writing style, his descriptions are almost lyrical and can take me to the deepest gorges of the Sierra Mountains in my bedroom. John Muir was perhaps one of the original environmentalists as founder of the Sierra Club, although at his time he was called a naturalist. My First Summer in the Sierra is John Muir's journal accounting his awe-inspiring visit to the place he loved and protected throughout his career. This book holds a special place in my heart, as the following passage was read by my brother at Brian and my wedding.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"No Sierra landscape that I have seen holds anything truly dead or dull, or any trace of that in manufactories is called rubbish or waste; everything is perfectly clean and pure and full of divine lessons. This quick, inevitable interest attaching to everything seems marvelous until the hand of God becomes visible; then it seems reasonable that what interests God may well interest us. When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe. One fancies a heart like our own must be beating in every crystal and cell, and we feel like stopping to speak to that plants and animals as friendly fellow mountaineers. Nature as a poet, an enthusiastic workingman, becomes more and more visible the farther and higher we go; for the mountains are fountains - beginning places, however related to sources beyond mortal ken."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKaW5WWWZswAEEzvFhzf0hwhubToiHvHcJARpEDPn-4A_hxQ7FjTh-92-1Z-HvscKwaNlLK8unysLuV7m06DHuJ6FRZgzKgbTUCCfv3Vv9z6exoVDj8GPFIph2RN5XUJJ3Um44A5gN75y/s1600/Native_FringeTree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKaW5WWWZswAEEzvFhzf0hwhubToiHvHcJARpEDPn-4A_hxQ7FjTh-92-1Z-HvscKwaNlLK8unysLuV7m06DHuJ6FRZgzKgbTUCCfv3Vv9z6exoVDj8GPFIph2RN5XUJJ3Um44A5gN75y/s400/Native_FringeTree.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Chionanthus virginicus </i>(Native Fringe Tree)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">(3) <u>1491</u> by Charles Mann, 2005</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZitwMbwufuO3Uvwa4l2WVXmwKcX3DNzl910qLe-AJtlS7H00RVf8w0Io4VuKCI5u3Uk9ikJmuDvx4DjD9CyXRINZqKFOl3vsFn86FO3Jz2-ZbjXqxIi90Ul1cyBJ9vk6uNORFfj1Z-_iv/s1600/1491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZitwMbwufuO3Uvwa4l2WVXmwKcX3DNzl910qLe-AJtlS7H00RVf8w0Io4VuKCI5u3Uk9ikJmuDvx4DjD9CyXRINZqKFOl3vsFn86FO3Jz2-ZbjXqxIi90Ul1cyBJ9vk6uNORFfj1Z-_iv/s200/1491.jpg" width="135" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">For my final selection, I wanted to choose something a little different. 1491 is a book I was introduced to when I was a teaching assistant for a forest history class. As the title would suggest, it explores what America was like the year before Columbus's famous trip. While the book has many revelations about what Native American cultures and ecosystems were like, perhaps the most significant one is that the number of Native Americans, their advances, and impacts on the land have been severely underestimated. In fact, at the time the life span of a Native American was longer than a European. However, 95% of the population was wiped out by diseases spread to people and forest animals by the European explorers, and when pilgrims came to America its forest had already been going through a century of successional changes. This book is a great lesson in how land management is not a negative activity as long as it is done with a conscious mind to ecosystem needs, and questions our thinking in what is a truly "unaltered" ecosystem. <br />
<br />
"Before it became the New World, the Western Hemisphere was vastly more populous and sophisticated than has been thought—an altogether more salubrious place to live at the time than, say, Europe. New evidence of both the extent of the population and its agricultural advancement leads to a remarkable conjecture: the Amazon rain forest may be largely a human artifact."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UNvq12c4HH9iJQLWhbVKRaL3cwIbnMpslv88fBBsLeOqMd1PZFj0uOpZ2jT7BLfjzAEAiFZNkNGKrUksYobyt9v59OOY4dDN1QP9edMPL4FGER0xiEu_oizAConldzOF-4s9Ir8Ngy41/s1600/Armeria_NiftyThrifty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UNvq12c4HH9iJQLWhbVKRaL3cwIbnMpslv88fBBsLeOqMd1PZFj0uOpZ2jT7BLfjzAEAiFZNkNGKrUksYobyt9v59OOY4dDN1QP9edMPL4FGER0xiEu_oizAConldzOF-4s9Ir8Ngy41/s400/Armeria_NiftyThrifty.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Amertia maritima </i>'Nifty Thrifty'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Its been a busy week, and I was only able to get one blog tag together:<br />
Visit Anne blog at <a href="http://gardeningwithbinoculars.blogspot.com/">Gardening with Binoculars</a><br />
<br />
If you are hungry for more there are some also great Earth Day reading posts from:<br />
<a href="http://www.mynicegarden.com/2011/04/earth-day-reading-project-blog-meme.html"> My Nice Garden</a><br />
<a href="http://www.itsnotworkitsgardening.com/2011/04/its-different-my-earth-day-reading-list.html"> Its Not Work, Its Gardening! </a><br />
<a href="http://sweetbeangardening.blogspot.com/2011/04/earth-day-reading-project.html"> Sweet Bean Gardening</a><br />
<a href="http://gardeningsoul.blogspot.com/2011/04/earth-day-reading-project.html"> Southern Meadows</a><br />
<a href="http://gardenseyeview.com/2011/04/18/earth-day/"> Gardens Eye View </a><br />
<a href="http://www.thegardeningblog.co.za/gardening/earth-day-reading-project/"> The Gardening Blog</a><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfOer8FpJI4xzdln0YrtJqwNdMriQtdCpAcHclK-V62k8AIUo18HrdUiDMcyCFczh3WKO0vsWFAo-QzXh8qdmfAEQIJOow0EwDm3-e2uUtwBihtxehUaUuiYd1JajMEKmBMirV3ohMEQR/s1600/Iris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfOer8FpJI4xzdln0YrtJqwNdMriQtdCpAcHclK-V62k8AIUo18HrdUiDMcyCFczh3WKO0vsWFAo-QzXh8qdmfAEQIJOow0EwDm3-e2uUtwBihtxehUaUuiYd1JajMEKmBMirV3ohMEQR/s400/Iris.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dutch Iris (unknown variety)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmzr9rPM9rfkZfNvPHbLKTx8LJ0QnV33vBXzXwGT_ryy0oz-RPDaLwT7DWzKBQVskGRpGFvZYcIEPqf2I-3nsxySgzTKoujQ8K9mFjyC4OyF-fZdBhdQRGEHWo2IrTt7lQqXxp2-nDr3B/s1600/Baptisia_PurpleSmoke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmzr9rPM9rfkZfNvPHbLKTx8LJ0QnV33vBXzXwGT_ryy0oz-RPDaLwT7DWzKBQVskGRpGFvZYcIEPqf2I-3nsxySgzTKoujQ8K9mFjyC4OyF-fZdBhdQRGEHWo2IrTt7lQqXxp2-nDr3B/s400/Baptisia_PurpleSmoke.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Baptisia </i>x 'Purple Smoke' (Purple Smoke Baptisia)</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;">"You must teach your children that the ground beneath their feet is the ashes of your grandfathers. So that they will respect the land, tell your children that the earth is rich with the lives of our kin. Teach your children what we have taught our children, that the earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. If men spit upon the ground, they spit upon themselves." </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;">~Native American Wisdom</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;"> </span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><style>
@font-face {
font-family: "Cambria";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }
</style></div>LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-86210575923976061582011-04-20T22:35:00.001-04:002011-04-20T23:22:13.914-04:00Mother Nature<div style="text-align: center;">This past weekend a "family" of tornadoes came through central and eastern North Carolina. One tracked 200 yards away from the greenhouse where Brian works, and headed in a path that took it only 1/4 mile away from our house. We were lucky, no damage... but others were not so lucky.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9TwkEw50fTNPGUuD4TtGqB4wtjw3hIbcX97-8GujQ09XyDYlEX6TKPXNIj5dNX7StrUnJJVWg04AwocWmuC2GxGStbKOM_htHT1gGgC7z7_0NczxzetDWp_A1k86pn9EhLUUKACXfg8V/s1600/Tornado_RaleighNC2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9TwkEw50fTNPGUuD4TtGqB4wtjw3hIbcX97-8GujQ09XyDYlEX6TKPXNIj5dNX7StrUnJJVWg04AwocWmuC2GxGStbKOM_htHT1gGgC7z7_0NczxzetDWp_A1k86pn9EhLUUKACXfg8V/s640/Tornado_RaleighNC2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Damage in Raleigh was bad, and its amazing how people bond together after tragedies. Damage was worse in Jacksonville, NC about 2 blocks from where my sister-in-law lives. My mother in law took the picture below. Luckily they were okay as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTZ0r2LB3VbkYyXYuB0rXwamrrqGFns62n1b7cj03EADVatNm91P0m7MykuJ3XdqlGERVadCWu0fCYUus5KoRUCMqz6nfvJSQNuNhikW87agqHRNi4i1f2E5Nd3WDAnfBpJdjJSEx1-le/s1600/Tornado_JacksonvilleNC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTZ0r2LB3VbkYyXYuB0rXwamrrqGFns62n1b7cj03EADVatNm91P0m7MykuJ3XdqlGERVadCWu0fCYUus5KoRUCMqz6nfvJSQNuNhikW87agqHRNi4i1f2E5Nd3WDAnfBpJdjJSEx1-le/s400/Tornado_JacksonvilleNC.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>24 People lost their lives in the tornadoes, 3 in our county, but luckily no one we know was severely affected. One of our good friends and coworkers at the greenhouse lost all the trees in her backyard. Buried deep under the pile is her squashed perennial border. The loss of a garden makes me appreciate the beauty of mine even more. Perhaps I should give her some plants.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPMroSnkVSqXMSA4y4xkf-TPoADwmKJOv1a1-OiP6PMpRIiLOTFEUFfwe5NeZrBnKcbIoixJDCmDZDlVJGH2AVQPzvC1wde3endO2-HOGW2_2w_2A_WKK18EXgQEH3AvkHoCLL-CoENX0/s1600/PerennialBorder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPMroSnkVSqXMSA4y4xkf-TPoADwmKJOv1a1-OiP6PMpRIiLOTFEUFfwe5NeZrBnKcbIoixJDCmDZDlVJGH2AVQPzvC1wde3endO2-HOGW2_2w_2A_WKK18EXgQEH3AvkHoCLL-CoENX0/s640/PerennialBorder.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">"Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you." ~ Frank Loyd Wright</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734023406237725245.post-67911673614712181032011-04-15T12:13:00.000-04:002011-04-15T12:13:05.607-04:00April Bloom Day<div style="text-align: center;">It's once again time to stroll through the garden for the mid-month Garden Blogger Bloom Day, sponsored by Carol at <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2011/04/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-april-2011.html">May Dreams Gardens</a>. The star of the show for this months bloom day is the 'Miss Kim' lilac, which has been spreading its intoxicating scent through the garden for a few days now.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpXSXHUZ9vnCeuyZl2AnT7vNZmYuyCbDubiGpgdA7QY4B3v2Yu9K6B-sr2GssRjIJsK1BlgCD-2d_bS-lJzEfaBPyOoAhxOJC6yqDxhvmLc2GVy6LYHunC2eYkjQJzVbIeWMCKVwlXim4/s640/MissKim_Lilac.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is so much in bloom right now that I could not capture everything, but have included some highlights. Its amazing how much has changed since <a href="http://ncbotanicalconcepts.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-bloom-day.html">March's Bloom Day</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqztH4CeHKGeacqF7tctZa0EqT71AW1vALoaUTxAyk1CudUB0wlOpycB2aA9qBHlvrpYOG703VMAvQLFGl1f5Ex78GbW6Fon4FDZteMLmlUrhujbxdW734kVJo_II3jajx-g66T-NerO8/s1600/GBBDMay11.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqztH4CeHKGeacqF7tctZa0EqT71AW1vALoaUTxAyk1CudUB0wlOpycB2aA9qBHlvrpYOG703VMAvQLFGl1f5Ex78GbW6Fon4FDZteMLmlUrhujbxdW734kVJo_II3jajx-g66T-NerO8/s640/GBBDMay11.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Clockwise from top left: <i>Phlox subulata </i>'Emerald Blue', <i>Berberis thumbergeii </i>'Rose Glow', <i>Hypericum androsaemum</i> 'Ignite Red', <i>Polemonium reptans </i>'Stairway to Heaven', Azaleas, <i>Viburum tinus </i>'Compactum' (Spring Bouquet Viburnum). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLDQItY-LPSLsI5i9PAMKjzd1KPuQAKAGZbQmsZlmQstyZNUSeHfTkZOwJewvi-_rAsZYpGWry6hFQslLzlosg_SjTZ9Rwf_tTdtZYJWzmpRPZ8sDAuiBTGQ3tcAdpjsNoHH3lrdfg1RX/s1600/Common_Vetch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDPNR4js595NHG7voPTC5Ca-iJ2xm7ArOYrzS-EhDtgWmHQ-5Wn1tl0SEGAeK__sZcr4iJyfp1-yOy4kGge3DXxUEcud00jPVl-Ht_fCNdm-uHEqEmiBRKz3DsglsfWaBs95dLp8KXQdQ/s1600/DSCN2882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDPNR4js595NHG7voPTC5Ca-iJ2xm7ArOYrzS-EhDtgWmHQ-5Wn1tl0SEGAeK__sZcr4iJyfp1-yOy4kGge3DXxUEcud00jPVl-Ht_fCNdm-uHEqEmiBRKz3DsglsfWaBs95dLp8KXQdQ/s400/DSCN2882.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLDQItY-LPSLsI5i9PAMKjzd1KPuQAKAGZbQmsZlmQstyZNUSeHfTkZOwJewvi-_rAsZYpGWry6hFQslLzlosg_SjTZ9Rwf_tTdtZYJWzmpRPZ8sDAuiBTGQ3tcAdpjsNoHH3lrdfg1RX/s1600/Common_Vetch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLDQItY-LPSLsI5i9PAMKjzd1KPuQAKAGZbQmsZlmQstyZNUSeHfTkZOwJewvi-_rAsZYpGWry6hFQslLzlosg_SjTZ9Rwf_tTdtZYJWzmpRPZ8sDAuiBTGQ3tcAdpjsNoHH3lrdfg1RX/s400/Common_Vetch.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Baptisia</i> 'Purple Smoke' (left) and <i>Vicia sativa</i> (common vetch) (right)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SXUMsnryyfc8V-uIbVqGrJHBXSs6WJ94NdG_FlTa2UyJk1aD3zLkDnPG9CX7zwrLkQQu4UKeBIvVj-5D0JIctIEao4BKSB9vPglOKNjbTEjbGx5e1lGaftORpSXS3RdPyy8fLFQZ8hr3/s1600/GBBDMay11_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SXUMsnryyfc8V-uIbVqGrJHBXSs6WJ94NdG_FlTa2UyJk1aD3zLkDnPG9CX7zwrLkQQu4UKeBIvVj-5D0JIctIEao4BKSB9vPglOKNjbTEjbGx5e1lGaftORpSXS3RdPyy8fLFQZ8hr3/s640/GBBDMay11_2.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Clockwise from top left: 'Immortality' Iris, <i>Wigelia</i> <i>florida </i>'Wine and Roses' and <i>Mazus</i>, <i>Salvia</i> <i>farinacea</i> 'Agusta Duelberg', 'Well Endowed' Iris, and 'Hill Hardy' Rosemary</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAE8JvHHhYl_HHd5ydnxDCr3YQ-1SmptTOoOIs3sOe0zn2GGEOzXXjadbYzOTAmPlNhyphenhyphenifwj734nEeFlteVTsjnfqmJMKv8Gm9NcoBFSgjqJOt1Bata7dMSy2uZXhAjW05M_DDZ4km9uft/s1600/DSCN2916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAE8JvHHhYl_HHd5ydnxDCr3YQ-1SmptTOoOIs3sOe0zn2GGEOzXXjadbYzOTAmPlNhyphenhyphenifwj734nEeFlteVTsjnfqmJMKv8Gm9NcoBFSgjqJOt1Bata7dMSy2uZXhAjW05M_DDZ4km9uft/s400/DSCN2916.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Cotoneaster </i>(unknown species) in bloom </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0A33QnfuIgxeHyJTY10z53LpvrQz3N9gMz8Uapt2CD0CSrTDgAGtE6tr1ORCengw2GSC2b_xYABxDGtGE9uuj84hqRcERhrMhJKufhoYPuj2nIlCwgDe4Xdort7AiD2wdYeAXYHPHmMqF/s1600/Asmonia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0A33QnfuIgxeHyJTY10z53LpvrQz3N9gMz8Uapt2CD0CSrTDgAGtE6tr1ORCengw2GSC2b_xYABxDGtGE9uuj84hqRcERhrMhJKufhoYPuj2nIlCwgDe4Xdort7AiD2wdYeAXYHPHmMqF/s640/Asmonia.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Perennial plant of the year (2011), <i>Asmonia hubrichtii</i> (Thread-leafed Blue-star).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;">"In June as many as a dozen species may burst their buds on a single day. No man can heed all of these anniversaries; no man can ignore all of them." ~Aldo Leopold</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;">(In Raleigh, its more like April)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;"> </span></div>LisaJenningshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172030894973198480noreply@blogger.com11