Our third day of the Garden Blogger's Spring Fling took us up-up-up to higher elevations. The first stop was Haywood Community Gardens. There were some vegetable gardens that had some nice inter-plantings of lettuce and tomatoes. One plant giving shade to the other as the seasons meld from one to another. I was drawn to some of the vistas and some of the trees.
This one is Acer plantanoides variegatum 'Drummondii'. A variegated Norway maple. Stunning tree.
This community garden has a mill pond, with a grist mill. Isn't this the quintessential peaceful setting? Many of us got photos of this lovely setting.
Taking photos from the other side of the pond, with a subject sitting on the small peninsula made for an even better photo.
Next to the grist mill were a couple interesting trees. The first one is a Bald Cypress, Taxodium distichum. Look at these great 'knees'. These root structures that show up around the base of the tree are so interesting. This tree had a nice ring of knees.
Closer to the grist mill was a tree that I BELIEVE to be a Weeping Beech. Fagus sylvatica 'Pendula'. It is some sort of weeping tree, quite a lovely one.
Why am I uncertain about the identification of this tree? Look at the leaf margin--
After a relaxing stroll through the community garden and grounds, we boarded the buses again and headed for Christopher's garden. What a glorious spot on the earth! Christopher's house sits nestled on the slope of this mountain, a house he built. The meadow gardens are a little wild as our early spring transforms to summer. Across a path through the meadow is his mother's house. Both properties had wonderful treasures to find and explore.
Up along the road was this great Euphorbia, I think it is 'Bonfire' though not sure about it. Great foliage color.
Even the 'weeds' were pretty. I have never seen Vetch look so pretty.
Sunny spots along the trail to his mom's house were sprinkled with blooms. Foxgloves and Sweet William share this spot.
Painted Daisy, Tanacetum coccineum, just glowed!
There were Irises in all sorts of colors, this one, pure white, as if light was emitting from the center of the bloom.
Had to get a picture of this one, yellow and purple, JMU colors!
One of our flingers taking in a beauty!!
©Copyright 2012 Janet. All rights reserved. Content created by Janet for The Queen of Seaford.
words and photos by Janet,The Queen of Seaford.
beautiful shot of that leaf edge! i really liked the variegated maple, too. learned several new wildflowers at christopher's. wish i had felt a little better, though. hey, who's that blogger in the last photo...don't remember her. :)
ReplyDeleteDaricia, I loved the fringe on the edge of the leaf. The whole trip was a learning experience. Oh, that blogger in the last pic? well.....a really great gal!
DeleteLovely capture! I am so happy I actually got to attend this year instead of just reading about it. While reading I have to remind myself I was there!
ReplyDeleteTina, it is really like a dream isn't it?
DeleteThat variegated Norway Maple is stunning! WOW! What a wonderful place to wander.
ReplyDeleteFreda, I would love to see the Norway Maple in the fall, maybe it is quite colorful.
DeleteI loved the Norway Maple--it was just beautiful. And Janet, the photo of the Weeping Beech leaf is fabulous! I have to admit to being a bit underwhelmed by the Haywood Gardens--but Christopher's home certainly made up for it! I adored the wildflowers and the stroll to Bulbarella's home--what an amazing view! Must. Catch. Up. With. Posts! (Actually, I'm enjoying reading yours so much that I neglect writing mine! HA!)
ReplyDeleteJulie, It was not a exciting as some of the other spectacular spots we visited but there was some interesting plant material. Now that summer vacation is here, I know you will have lots of time to blog. :-)
DeleteJanet, you really got some wonderful images of the Fling gardens all three days, plus some special and quiet moments. I agree, having a subject in the image in this post, especially one in red, really makes for a beautiful scene.
ReplyDeleteDonna, GWGT, thanks, I was happy with my photos ... though there were a lot a cast offs! I might draw the picture of the pond with Shelley sitting in her red coat.
DeleteGood ID on the hairy tree! I spent some time sitting on the porch of that beautiful old mill. I must say, I did not want to leave that spot. But the treat lying ahead of Christopher and Mom's gardens were worth the departure! A bitter Sweet Day for me as it was my last in Asheville. Sigh, but I will be back...
ReplyDeleteSkeeter, I can thank Christa on the firm ID. I didn't go onto the porch, bet it was nice to sit and watch the water. Hard to leave this fun weekend!
DeleteThe more I read about the fling the more and more disappointed I am that I missed it. That won't happen again, especially if it is so close by. (Charleston in 2 years?) Love the long shot of the lady sitting in the red shirt by the water! I mentioned you in my blog post today if you want to stop by.
ReplyDeleteKarin, yes, hoping they are correct it will be in Charleston in two years. I did stop by, thanks!!
DeleteI love the tree you captured in the first garden...the second is one interesting place...my vetch is in bloom too...at least the weed has a pretty flower...
ReplyDeleteDonna, GEV, thanks! I was amazed at the beautiful vetch flower. Ours are so small.
DeleteWonderful!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
Thanks for the tour!
Have a great day!
Lea
Lea's Menagerie
Lea, thanks ...it was a great tour!
DeleteWhat a beautiful tour. I have been enjoying looking back through all of your picture of the Fling Janet. So many wonderful variegated trees and Acers. Wonderful gardens. I was at the Baltimore years ago and just loved it. Thanks for sharing the pictures with us who were unable to attend.
ReplyDeleteLona, thanks, glad you are enjoying the 'rehashing' of the trip. It was a lot of fun.
DeleteBeautiful photos of both places, Janet. I wish I had been walking with you at the Haywood Gardens to learn some identification techniques for the trees--great i.d. on the weeping beech! The photo of the painted daisy is stunning; I loved how there were unexpected pops of color like this in Christopher's garden.
ReplyDeleteRose, You give me too much credit for making IDs. Christa made the final ID on that one. and I appreciate it!!
DeleteHi Janet, The irises are all really pretty. I have never seen anything like the leaf with the fine fringe. Remarkable! I wonder about the botanical advantages behind the delicate hairs of this Weeping Beech. The "knees" are also intriguing.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, I looked at so many other beech images and few mentioned the fringe. I am not sure what botanical advantage there would be. Good question.
DeleteWasn't Christopher's mountain garden (and his mom's too) a delight?
ReplyDeleteAnd the Haywood Community Garden reflected such interesting plants and past effort (although it had a bit of a secret garden neglected air when we visited) -- a special place, to be sure.
Lisa, it was a delight indeed!! I felt like I needed more time. Found I always rushed missing out on parts of the garden.
DeleteAs soon as I saw that first photo the weeping beech caught my eye. I thought they were willows from far away, I just love that form, but they are even more interesting being beech. The fling was obviously a great hit this year. There are so many wonderful posts and gardens to read about. By the looks of those hills though your legs must have gotten quite the work out.
ReplyDeleteMarguerite, Weeping beech is pretty cool, I like it. Yes, the fling was a big hit. And yes....my legs got a good workout!!
DeleteI am really enjoying this virtual garden tour. The photographs are wonderful. I especially like the cypress knees surrounding the tree like little gnomes.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, Glad you are coming along virtually! The cypress knees ARE like gnomes.
Delete