Sunday, April 29, 2012

Sunday Morning Garden Walk!

After feeding the ducks this morning...
I took a little walk around the gardens to see what's new...
And to soak up the long-awaited return of sunshine to our Spring!
On my way back into the house I took a peek into the planter by the front door...
To find out what all the commotion was about!
And, I received a very clear signal from their mommy about my snooping!

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Saturday Iris Hunting at Boose Family Farm

We met SpaBoy early this morning to hunt iris plants for our
respective gardens at the Boose Family Farm down the road!
We've been transplanting their iris plants into our gardens for
several years. And, after seeing my irises in vases this spring,
SpaBoy decided it was high time to add some to his garden too!
Everyone in this area knows Boose Family Farms for their beautiful irises!
If you stop by, Boose sisters, Faye and Rita will gladly sell you some iris plants. But
if you ask about their business, they'll tell you that it's not so much a business
as it is just taking care of what they refer to as their mother's out-of-control
collection of irises. And, if you're lucky you might see the now 91-year
old Mrs. Boose cruising around the iris farm in her golf cart!
Like we did again this morning!
If you're looking for iris plants to add to your garden...
You'll want to head over to Meadowlark Road in Winston-Salem...
Where you'll find irises in every color...
And every combination of colors imaginable. Not to mention
you'll get to enjoy a nice walk through a spectacular garden!
I thought I was done adding irises to our gardens...
But then I smelled these!
Yes! I actually smelled them before I saw them!
Now... Some irises stink, which my gardener tells me is revenge
for my cutting them and keeping them in vases in the house!
But not these... This iris smells incredible! The scent is difficult to
describe, but it's somewhere between sweet grape juice and fresh,
clean linen sheets. It's an odd sounding combination, but it works!
While SpaBoy walked the iris garden and took inventory of all the ones he
planned to take home with him, I rushed home to drop off my own haul!
Usually Faye and Rita don't sell their iris plants with bloomers
on them. But if you ask real nice and pay an extra dollar, they will!
When we returned to the farm to collect SpaBoy, I stumbled
onto a couple more iris varieties I couldn't live without!
Like these!
And this one!
And especially that one!
Lots of that one!
I cannot wait for next spring!
There are going to be even more beautiful irises in our gardens!
And, in my vases! And for that...
We have Mrs. Boose and her daughters to thank!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Walk through the Wisteria and Azaleas with me...

Just when you think the gardens couldn't possibly get any lovelier...
They do!
The wisteria and my Mother's Day azaleas are in full bloom now!
Within just a few weeks...
We go from this...
To this!
Isn't nature grand?
I think so!
Honestly, the day these azaleas no longer bloom...
Is the day I sell the house and move!
Because there are certain things a girl simply cannot live without!
And these azaleas and my gardener, of course...
Are very high on my very long list!

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Knocked Out!

Can you think of a more appropriately named plant?
I can't! These roses knock me out all spring and summer long!
But they aren't the only bloomers that knock me out...
These pink azaleas do it every year!
I called them my Mother's Day azaleas...
They are early this year due to the mild winter and warm spring we've had...
Which suits me just fine!
You know me, the more things bloom...
The happier I am!
We threw together a quick and dirty yard sale and GoodWill haul this
morning to clear out the garage and the item people asked about the
most was the gardens. In fact, between us, we conducted six tours!
My certified master-gardener even gave away several cuttings
and a few whole plants he repotted for a few nice ladies...
I've never seen him share any of his plants before...
Definitely a first!
It's kinda nice to know a little of our garden
will be enjoyed by others in their garden!
Sharing is a good thing...
I suppose.
This weigela was an impulse buy at the Farmer's
market last spring. Can you see why I had to have it?
I love the feathers on the roof!
And, the drunk bee in the flower there!
Looks like it might be time to dispatch the lady bugs...
To munch up the aphids that dare to visit my garden!
Ladybugs. Not pesticides!
Back to our Bee-friend!
Wearing pollen on his legs!
Bees are cool! I say the more bees in the garden, the better!
Hey, bee... Tell your friends!
Because there are plenty flowers to go around!
Keep up the good work, little Bee. You know what they say...
There's nothing to do but Bee!
Now if you will excuse me...
It's lazy-dinner and a movie night tonight...
At our favorite place... Home!