More Festival of Flowers, Sunsets and Spiders

This has been a busy time and I hadn't realized how long it was in between postings until I finally sat down to write this one.  Actually, I have been trying to write this one since Monday.  Funny how some days the words just flow and others, well, I would rather veg and play a Sudoku.   Monday was another very hot day here in South Carolina....well into the upper 90's if not 100's and quite high humidity.  Monday was Master Gardener Day at Park Seed.  We were invited for a special tour of  the trial gardens and then had the opportunity to shop.  Warm temps or not, I was going over there!

 The greenhouses were full of bargains.  I shopped while waiting for the tour to begin.  Because I live so close, I have been over there more than once....so I could be less frenzied about all these bargains.   Shop I did, but more about that later.

The tour began looking at this great Rudbeckia 'Denver Daisy'.  What a great presentation in the garden.  It is planted in front of Salvia --prpbably 'Victoria Blue' and Gomphrena.  In the back is a Millet, not sure of the name.  Great full colors. 

 We got to see all the trialed beds, where they compare new seed varieties to a standard.  Here is one that I will look into buying next year---- Basil 'Lettuce Leaf'.  The picture doesn't show how large these leaves are, two leaves and you could have enough for pesto!

 There is one area in the garden where they have the American Garden Award plants.  This is sort of like American Idol for gardeners.   Here is what they have to say about it--

What is AGA?

The American Garden Award is a unique opportunity for the gardening public to vote on a specific flower that they think has the most appealing garden characteristics. Some of the world's most prestigious flower breeders have chosen their best varieties to enter in this competition. Then, in cooperation with over 24 highly respected public gardens throughout the United States, we present the entries so consumers can view the plants in person, then vote on their favorite. For those consumers and home gardeners who are unable to make it to view these flowers in person, the above link allows voting on this website.

So without further ado-- Here are the plants for 2011. (You can also see them on their web site)

 The Dianthus isn't doing well in our wet clay, hot humid weather....as evident here!

So jump on over to American Garden Awards and vote for your favorite!

And now for my goodies................yes I did bring home some plants, duh!!  I bought 9 Heuchera, 3 each of 'Mocha', 'Frosted Violet' and 'Pinot Noir', a Geranium 'Rozanne' to replace one that was eaten, and........

 A clematis for the family garden.............I couldn't pass this one up.  I am so excited to find this one!!! 

'Prince Charles', yes I know I ordered a 'Charlie's White' Peony, which will be delivered in the fall, but this was too perfect~

Also bought some Japanese Forest Grass, Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' for some of my shady areas and a Brugmansia....love them.  Also in my basket was an Amaryllis 'Papilio'---will keep you posted on its progress.

 

Monday was one of the few days were we didn't have a thunderstorm in the afternoon, so we went on a boat ride....chasing the setting sun as we headed home.

 I love the sunsets we get over the lake.

 Once home the boat goes in the boat lift to keep it out of the water.....look who is lurking by the lever !??!?!

 I included these sunset and spider pictures for my friend Ann, who likes both.


Friday night is date night.  We managed to stay out of the rain (for the most part).  As we drove home the skies were the most amazing colors.  It was almost as if they were ablaze.

Now it is time for a quick shower and then off to the home garden tours as Festival of Flowers' Grand Finale is today.   I love this place!

©Copyright 2011 Janet. All rights reserved. Content created by Janet for The Queen of Seaford. words and photos by Janet,The Queen of Seaford.

If It Is June, It Must Be Festival of Flowers

This year is the 44th Festival of Flowers in Greenwood, South Carolina.  Charlie and I took a trip to Greenwood a few years ago, part of his plan to get me on board with moving to Greenwood.   Our trip centered around Park Seed's Flower Day.  We were here for just a weekend.   I was thrilled.  What a great weekend.  Now that we live here I find there are activities all month long. 

Preparation for FoF begins well before June.  One of the center pieces of the Festival is the topiary display.  Some of the Master Gardeners help with putting these displays together.   After they are assembled and growing, a bit of upkeep is needed.  My friend Ann, another MG, and I worked together one afternoon. 

 The Master Gardeners did the Jeep and helped with some of the others.

I like the elephant, there is a baby elephant as well.

Included in the group are the team mascots for University of South Carolina, Clemson University, and Lander University.

 Last weekend was the beginning of the Festival of Flowers, started with bringing the topiaries into Uptown and a Wine Tasting.   There are 30 topiaries throughout Uptown. 

Friday evening, after dinner, we walked around Uptown and I got some pictures of the topiaries.  Saturday we went back to Uptown for the Antique Car Show.  There was everything from Maseratis to Corvettes to Studabakers to GTO's ---a car for every taste.  I liked the El Dorado....red leather interior.

All month long there are activities.  There is a dinner next Friday, Farm to Fork.  It focuses on local farms and local chefs, it will be held at one of the garden centers I frequent...Wyatt Farms.  Looking forward to dinner!!!  Hope it isn't too hot.    Additionally there will be Park Seed's Flower Day, a golf tournament, a 5-K run, a bicycle tour, garden tours, arts & crafts, a horse show, and a few concerts to name just  a few.  Listed on the website is the full schedule.

The theme this year??  Well, it is------

It's a Blooming Good Time! 

So if you are in the neighborhood......come on down!


©Copyright 2011 Janet. All rights reserved. Content created by Janet for The Queen of Seaford. words and photos by Janet,The Queen of Seaford.

Clouds and Cones

It has been hot here, about 10 - 15 degrees above the norm for this time of year.  Hot and humid conditions can produce thunderstorms most every afternoon into the evening hours.  We would welcome the rain, but so far we have been just getting dark clouds and a lot of noise.  These clouds are from last night, producing nothing.  The only outcome from this storm was to put a certain dog I know in the shower stall to hide.

 On our way to dinner we had some magnificent skies.

 We are about 8 inches behind in our rainfall totals. 

Maybe some of the dark clouds rolling in today will bring some much needed rainfall.

In the garden I have a couple different kinds of Echinacea purpurea.  One is 'Magnus' and not sure what the other one is, but it is shorter and a bit darker blooms. 

I love how the petals start off almost pale yellow as they are opening.  I leave the spent flower heads on for the Goldfinches.  They love the seeds.

The smaller ones are a nice backdrop for the tall blooms of 'Magnus'.

What a beauty.  Slowly but surely my newly planted gardens are filling with color. 

©Copyright 2011 Janet. All rights reserved. Content created by Janet for The Queen of Seaford. words and photos by Janet,The Queen of Seaford.