Month: March 2011
THE MEADOW CONTINUES….
The meadow continues to delight. The last of the daffodils…
are joined by Woodland Phlox (Phlox divericata) and Trilliums (Trillium cuneatum).
Unfortunately the colours do not photograph well, the Trillium are a beautiful shade of claret, which is very effective with the blue Phlox.
Every one has different markings ………amazing!!
© all photos 2011
KITTEN UPDATE
Thanks to all for your concern over the new kitten. I am so please to report she is on the mend, taking her antibiotics out of my hand (wrapped in chicken pate of course) and exploring her new home.
Her name is Elizabeth… Liz, after the late, great, Elizabeth Taylor.
WILD THINGS
Time for the WILD THINGS!
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) popping up in the meadow. The name is derived from the red sap which bleeds as the stem is cut or the root disturbed. The Indians used this sap for paint and as a dye.
Trillium cuneatum naturalized in the meadow. I cannot take credit for this…they were here before me and keep multiplying.
Woodland phlox (Phlox divericata) naturalized with the Trillium….delicate & fragrant.
I encourage all these to increase by allowing their seed to ripen and disperse before the meadow is cut. Slowly & surely this is happening. Every year at this time I wonder if I will live long enough to see my vision come to fruition. But then again its about the journey, and I am enjoying this one immensely.
© All photos & text 2011
GARDENING TRUMPS BLOG!
Goodness , I have no idea where the time goes. It is already Friday Saturday! This week there was so much to do in the garden. The pruning of ‘Annabelle’ hydrangeas & Hydrangea paniculata, along with some Clematis… Still not done with all the ‘Annabelles.’ Every year I have the same lament. When I am pruning I have too many….when they bloom there are not enough!!
Much weeding in the potager where I am growing salad ….delicious! A few stragglers from last years tulips popping up between the lettuce… and much weeding ….
Spring is going forward at breakneck speed, it seems. Viburnum burkwoodii in bloom. If I could share the fragrance, you would know why it is so cherished among gardeners.
It does get large, with a beautiful vase shape. There are several Clematis planted at its feet. Reminders of a lovely day, shared with dear friends, in a beautiful garden.
The new kitty is at the vets with serious upper respiratory infection…….
© All photos 2011
ALMOST ROADKILL!
Look who I rescued today.
There she was…. sauntering across the highway.
Unaware of the danger, she was almost roadkill!!
She will live in the ( just being built ) Bothy.
We are converting the old chicken coop………
still under construction, but I love it already!
Shelves need to be added along with a comfortable armchair… tattered of course, and tea making facilities. To be continued.
A QUICK TOUR
Spring is unfolding ………..
Suddenly, everything is so far along !
The trilliums are coming up.
Flowering Quince In the Viburnum Court…
Helleborus foetidus top & Helleborus orientalis above.
All Nature’s Masterpieces.
© All photos & text 2011
NATURE’S MASTERPIECES
These are some of nature’s masterpieces. Every bit as beautiful as roses… don’t you think?
REV. JOHN DRAYTON 
MAGNOLIAEFLORA
TAYLOR’S PERFECTION 
WHITE EMPRESS
ROSE DAWN
BETTY SHEFFIELD
The above Camellias all reside in the ‘Circle of Friends.’
Just a thought… there needs to be a larger more interesting focal point there.
CAMELLIA MADNESS
The Camellia Walk is in full flower.
The Helleborus are also at their peak, I love them together, makes for a lush planting…the only kind.
Just about here, I turn around to see………
The daffodils in The Meadow.
Up close & personal……… 
© All photos & text 2011
THE CUTTING GARDEN
The cutting garden is located adjacent to the potager. It was in fact where my husband attempted to grow melons for several seasons. I usurped the space when the ‘bones’ of the shade garden (Circle of Friends, Camellia Walk ) and the Viburnum Court, were planted.
A cutting garden devoted to supplying flowers for the house was one of my prerequisites dreams, when we were looking for a house with acreage. This space was in full sun, already cleared, tilled, in a word…perfect.
Divided into three distinct areas, the first, primarily for daffodils (Narcissus).
It is here I indulge myself in all the named varieties that ‘do’ in the south…even a few that don’t but are guaranteed to bloom the first year.
Here also, are a few daffodils I have rescued from old abandoned homesteads, whose origins remain unknown.
I never cut flowers from The Meadow. It is planted exclusively with heirloom bulbs I have rescued & divided over the last 13 years. (More on why in another post.) Meanwhile, enjoy the early show in the cutting garden.
It is so rewarding to share this abundance, I have taken to sending bunches home with friends who visit. Daffodils spread joy & the promise of spring.
© All photos & Text 2011
