Tag Archives: public gardens

Franciscan Monastery—2017 Garden Bloggers Fling

The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in Washington, DC was an interesting destination on this year’s Garden Bloggers Fling.

Franciscan Monastery-Washington, DC

The Neo-Byzantine style church was built between 1898-1899.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre

At right of the church sits the Rosary Portico.

Franciscan Monastery-Washington, DC

Our group arrived just after lunch. I had been curious to see this site, described as an oasis of peace, with over 1000 roses, and enhanced by many perennials and annuals.

On this hot summer day the strongest color came from annuals such as begonias and lantana.

Begonias and Lantana

As in many gardens on this year’s Fling, daylilies played an important role as well. I enjoyed the way the coloring in this grouping reflected the exterior of the Rosary Portico, echoing the terra-cotta roof tiles.

Exterior – Rosary Portico

I quickly wound my way out of the sun, passing along the Rosary Portico. Pausing to explore the architecture of the columns, I felt the temperatures moderate under the vaulted ceiling.

Interior – Rosary Portico

Interior – Rosary Portico with varying styled columns

Eventually an open gate revealed an expansive panorama. Steep stairs led to gardens below.

Franciscan Monastery-Washington, DC

Graceful magnolias towered over the shady lower gardens.

Lower Gardens – Franciscan Monastery

I read up on this monastery after returning home. Franciscans have been tasked with caring for holy Christian sites for 800 years. Envisioned as a holy land for America, a number of shrines are represented here with accurately-scaled replicas.

Though intended to be welcoming and inclusive to all, the very nature and purpose of this place, the reason for existence is a religious one, and I felt a bit of an interloper into this spiritual setting.

In looking through the photographs I took that day, I have been surprised by my reaction but I want to be honest. In considering the plants and garden design I never sensed a real “Oh, wow!” moment during my visit. Without intending disrespect, I confess, aesthetically, the garden and statuary were simply not to my taste. The tombs were rather eerie and the manmade stone I found particularly off-putting.

Franciscan Monastery-Washington, DC

Lourdes Grotto, Franciscan Monastery-Washington, DC

Franciscan Monastery-Washington, DC

I am glad to have had the chance to explore this place, and am looking forward to seeing what aspects other Fling visitors responded to in this setting.

Normally drawn to quiet, meditative spaces, I had eagerly anticipated seeing the monastery’s contemplative grounds; however, in the end I never felt a strong connection with this garden.

Smithsonian Gardens—2017 Garden Bloggers Fling

35 Replies

On Friday afternoon of the 2017 Garden Bloggers Fling, we descended upon the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to visit the Smithsonian Gardens. The day was hot and sticky, typical weather for this time of year.

The Washington Monument was visible on our left as the bus turned right, dropping us off in front of the Smithsonian Institution Castle.

Washington Monument

With three hours to explore, many of us began by entering the castle and passing through to the back to view the Enid A. Haupt garden. My photos failed to capture the geometry and scale of the garden. The black iron edging seemed to grab all my attention.

Enid A. Haupt Garden

The Mary Livingston Ripley Garden was oft-mentioned as one to be sure to see. Indeed the lush plantings were a delight.

Rosa moschata ‘Nastarana’ (Persian Musk Rose), Mary Livingston Ripley Garden

On the left below is a Franklin tree, named after Benjamin Franklin. It has not been observed in the wild since early 1800s. It exists today due to propagation of seeds collected between 1773-1776 by William Bartram from the tree’s native location, a mere couple of acres along the Altamaha River valley in Georgia (southeast United States). When in bloom it is said to have white camellia-like flowers.

Franklinia alatamaha (Franklin tree)

These contrasting textures were appealing.

Euphorbia cyparissias ‘Fens Ruby’ (Cypress Spurge)

This planter was sedately sophisticated. In the background yellow echinacea added a lively accent.

Mary Livingston Ripley Garden, National Mall

Echinacea was incorporated into many of the Fling gardens. The Ripley’s sunny Echinacea ‘Leilani’ is one I had not seen before.

Echinacea ‘Leilani’ – National Mall

The round edges of the Hirshhorn Museum are visible in the background, reminding me I would have enjoyed spending three days on the Mall revisiting museums. It had been many years since I was last in D.C.

Echinacea ‘Leilani’ – National Mall

As it was I detoured from the gardens to reconnect with some old friends at the National Gallery of Art. For me this was gardening for the soul. Notice how inspired these artists were by garden themes. (Click on an image for a full-view slideshow.)

The Gardener – The Old Peasant with Cabbage by Camille Pissarro

The Garden at Petit Gennevilliers, 1893 by Gustave Caillebotte

The Artist’s Garden at Vétheuil, Claude Monet

Roses, Vincent Van Gogh, 1890

Flowers In A Vase, Auguste Renoir, 1866

Paul Cézanne, Flowers in a Rococo Vase (ca. 1876)

A Girl With A Watering Can, 1876, Auguste Renoir

Flowers In A Crystal Vase, Edward Manet, c. 1882

As I headed back to meet up with the Flingers I passed one of several buildings added to the mall since my previous visit, National Museum of the American Indian. The architecture was so interesting, it would have been great to see inside but time was running short.

National Museum of the American Indian

The U.S. Botanic Garden was the final stop before catching the bus back to the hotel. I had time only for a quick peek into the conservatory and a dash through the outer gardens.

U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory

Pontederia cordata (Pickerel Weed), U.S. Botanic Garden

Echinacea, U.S. Botanic Garden

Daylilies, United States Botanic Garden, Washington, DC

By this time the clouds had burst into a brief shower. The evening brought cooler, drier weather that lasted for the rest of the Fling.

Phlox And Other Delights

26 Replies

Monday at the North Carolina Botanical Garden (NCBG) my husband and I enjoyed one of our favorite plantings, a wildflower display of Packera aurea (Golden Ragwort) and Phlox divaricata (Eastern Blue Phlox). Both are eastern North American natives. He is partial to the Golden Ragwort while I prefer the phlox. Together they make a great display, much more vivid in person.

Packera aurea (Golden Ragwort) and Phlox divaricata (Eastern Blue Phlox)

A couple of Eastern Blue Phlox are blooming in my own garden. They have been difficult to establish but this year they finally seem settled.

Growing at pbmGarden: Phlox divaricata (Eastern Blue Phlox)

There were still plenty of Trillium and May-Apple, Spreading Jacob’s Ladder was fresh, sweet shrub looked and smelled delicious. At every turn was something new to admire. If you have time to linger, click an image below to start the slideshow.

NCBG April 11, 2016 Trillium luteum (Yellow Trillium)

Trillium cuneatum (Little sweet Betsy)

Growing at pbmGarden: Phlox divaricata (Eastern Blue Phlox)

Packera aurea (Golden Ragwort) and Phlox divaricata (Eastern Blue Phlox) and Ferns

Packera aurea (Golden Ragwort) and Phlox divaricata (Eastern Blue Phlox)

Podophyllum peltatum (May-apple)

NCBG April 11, 2016 Polemonium reptans (Spreading Jacob’s Ladder)

NCBG April 11, 2016 Calycanthus floridus var. glaucus (Smooth Sweet-shrub)

Native Spring Ephemeral

22 Replies

Erythronium umbilicatum (Dimpled Trout-lily)

A quick scouting expedition for early spring ephemerals on Saturday, February 27 proved rewarding for my husband and me.

Nodding bud of Erythronium umbilicatum (Dimpled Trout-lily)

Native to southeastern United States, Erythronium umbilicatum (Dimpled Trout-lily) is coming into flower at the North Carolina Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill.

Erythronium umbilicatum (Dimpled Trout-lily). Native to southeastern United States

Erythronium umbilicatum (Dimpled Trout-lily)

Mid-February, Briefly Feeling Lucky

25 Replies

NC Botanical Garden

On Friday, to celebrate Darwin Day, my husband and I attended a lunchtime lecture entitled “The Evolution Of Biodiversity: History or Science” at the North Carolina Botanical Garden.

Charles Darwin, circa 1871, by Oscar Gustave Rejlander (1813-1875)

There were snow flurries during the talk but by the time we walked to the car only the cold remained.

We did not take time to explore the garden that day, but as we hurried back to the parking lot, we admired the light on the grasses fronting the parking spaces.

NC Botanical Garden

Upon returning home I noticed a camellia on the side of the house was blooming. It has been too cold. How is that possible? Well, the days are lengthening and, before it turned cold this week, it actually had been very warm. Three flowers were open. Because of cold weather this camellia failed to bloom at all last winter. Tonight’s low is predicted to be 15°F. Who is feeling lucky?

Camellia x ‘Coral Delight’ Synonym: Camellia japonica x Camellia saluenensis

I have been taking this winter one day at a time. Even so, winter is passing by quickly. In a couple of weeks a friend and I will travel to Virginia for the hellebore festival at Pine Knot Farms. Making plans around here in February is usually a sure-fire way to invite an ice storm into town, but definitely this year we are feeling lucky that we will make it.

Looking ahead, April is promising to be a great month. I already have tickets for some Art In Bloom events at the North Carolina Museum of Art early in the month. The Chapel Hill Garden Club’s biennial spring garden tour takes place the last weekend in April, featuring seven private gardens. I am already signed up to be a garden guide at one of the gardens for the spring tour.

And, not everything special is a garden event. Also in April our daughter is coming to visit from the west coast. March will be busy but I am feeling lucky.

Wordless Wednesday— White Clouds and Sunflowers

16 Replies

Scenes from North Carolina Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill yesterday.

White Clouds

I have always like pink muhly grass but how about this white form? Muhlenbergia capillaris ‘White Cloud’ (Hairgrass).

Sunflowers

I think the darker yellow in the next photo is Swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius). Not sure about the pale yellow flower.

Colonial Gardens

32 Replies

Lycoris radiata (spider lily)

We spent a few days in colonial Williamsburg (restored 18th-century capital of colonial Virginia) this week and of course, I wanted to see the many gardens that sit nestled behind and beside the homes and shops in the historic district.

At one such spot a gardener was tidying and cutting back some of the spent flowers. She remarked a bit apologetically the gardens were not at their best, but rather were transitioning, caught at an in-between stage. Nonetheless, I felt the plantings offered plenty to enjoy. In that very garden was this red spectacle of a flower, which I think is Celosia cristata (Cockscomb), underplanted with white Gomphrena.

Colonial Garden In Late September

I was particularly delighted when we happened upon this next little garden at mid-morning.

Lycoris radiata (spider lily)

Last year I planted 5 or 6 Lycoris radiata (spider lily) bulbs, but in early fall the foliage emerged without the plants having flowered. This year not even the foliage returned. My grandmother grew spider lilies and I always associate them fondly with her.

So to be able to lift the latch on the gate from the street and step into this sea of calm green and lively red was sheer indulgence.

Lycoris radiata (spider lily)

My husband and I were alone in the small, quiet garden. Summer finally letting go, the air was cool and crisp, the sunlight soft and warm. Being here was a lovely, private morning meditation.

Lycoris radiata (spider lily)

Further down the street at the Colonial Nursery’s eighteen century display garden and sales shop, these flowers were tucked into a back corner behind a small hedge. Colchicum, I believe.

Colchicum at the Colonial Nursery

Planted in an out-of-the-way place, they were an unexpected and charming discovery for wandering visitors.

Colchicum at the Colonial Nursery

Note: To learn more this Gardens Brochure is a good starting place. Colonial Williamsburg has information about the history and design of the gardens (use the menu on the left for viewing more garden topics). In the Related Info section on the right-hand side there are more articles and slideshows.

A Wander Through A Riparian Urban Garden

18 Replies

Wyatt Visitors Pavilion Entrance – Cape Fear Botanical Garden

On Easter weekend my husband and travelled 70 miles south to Fayetteville, North Carolina, to visit two of my sisters. One sister volunteers at Cape Fear Botanical Garden and after a delicious lunch, she and I managed to escape for a couple of hours to tour the garden. It was my first time seeing it, though I had wanted to for a long time.

The tulips were beautiful the day we were there. A cheerful planting greeted us at the entrance to the visitors center. Once we had our tickets we emerged out the back of the center we immediately encountered more tulips. My sister is at the garden weekly and for some time had been admiring this lovely group.

Tulips

Also just outside the visitor center door I had to stop to enjoy two copper-toned planters, on either side of the path, each holding a Japanese maple.

Planter behind Wyatt Visitors Pavilion

Planter behind Wyatt Visitors Pavilion – Looking toward Cypress pond

The brick path between the two planters (in the lower right above) led through an arbor where I was soon captivated by this little unfamiliar daffodil known as Narcissus ‘Hawera’ (Hawera Daffodil).

Narcissus ‘Hawera’ (Hawera Daffodil)

Fayetteville has an annual dogwood festival that was coming up and the dogwoods we saw this day were further along in bloom than mine back home. Dogwoods are understory plants that love the forest’s edge. They thrive under these loblolly pines.

Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood)

The varied terrain of this 80-acre garden allows visitors to enjoy an open pine forest (quite typical of this region) that soon gives way to sandy paths and nature trails leading through hardwood forests and eventually sloping down to meet the Cape Fear River.

Preserved natural areas are home to indigenous plants and wildlife while the cultivated areas feature 2,000 varieties of ornamental plants.

The garden has extensive and well-known collections of daylilies, hostas and camellias. Actually it was the camellias I had especially wanted to see.

Due to a combination of illness and wintry weather I had missed attending the 69th Fayetteville Camellia Festival hosted in this garden a few weeks earlier. Luckily a good number of camellias were still in bloom at Easter, including this pale pink Camellia japonica ‘Magnoliaeflora.’

Camellia japonica ‘Magnoliaeflora’ 1886

In close proximity to the Camellia Garden sits the Children’s Garden featuring this oversized chair with a seat cushion of Clematis armandii (Evergreen Clematis).

Oversized chair in Lilliput Labyrinth Garden

Working our way back from the Camellia Garden we paused to admire a redbud along side the Cypress Pond and check out the frog fishing off the pier.

Redbud in bloom at Cypress pond

Eventually we came to a picturesque gazebo with red maples in the background.

Butler Gazebo – Cape Fear Botanical Garden

Further along the path there were azaleas, rhododendron, viburnum and this attractive plant brightening the fence. Unfortunately I could not find a label for this one.

Bluff Garden and Cross Creek Overlook

We did not have time to see the entirety of this botanical garden on that afternoon so we did not actually make it all the way down to the Cape Fear River. But this section is referred to as Bluff Garden and Cross Creek Overlook. It was quite restful and peaceful as we sat watching this view of Cross Creek and listening to the birds.

Bluff Garden and Cross Creek Overlook

With time running out we retreated back toward the visitors center. First though we had one more stop to make.

Historic Eastern Carolina Farmhouse

The McCauley Heritage Garden features a furnished historic eastern Carolina farmhouse that was built in Eastover, Cumberland County in 1886 by Alexander Carter. The house was relocated to CFBG on February 3, 1996. It really is a quintessential style house common to this area.

It is here that my sister hangs out when volunteering each week, guiding visitors through the farmhouse. Unfortunately no one was working the day we visited so I had to peek inside the window to catch a glimpse of the interior.

Historic Eastern Carolina Farmhouse

Interior – Historic Eastern Carolina Farmhouse

Also on display along with the farmhouse is a typical tobacco barn and a general store that was once operated by the Carter family.

Tobacco Barn

General Store

In front of the farmhouse was an extensive kitchen garden with roses, nepeta and herbs. Raised beds in another portion of the heritage garden are used for growing flowers and vegetables, part of a gardening therapy program for war veterans returning to nearby Ft. Bragg.

McCauley Heritage Garden

The sandy path leading us back to the visitors center was lined with a beautiful forsythia hedge, much of which had already finished blooming for this year.

Sandy Path Along Forsythia Hedge

As we returned to the visitors center there were yet more tulips to admire. This was my favorite.

Tulips

I really enjoyed finally getting to see the Cape Fear Botanical Garden first-hand. My sister made a wonderful guide and it was great to spend time with her. When we returned my other sister had managed to clean up the dinner dishes, package up several days worth of leftovers for us to take home, and she also had coffee and dessert waiting for us, a decadent chocolate pound cake. Good food, lovely garden, and loving sisters. It was a nice day.

A Favorite Garden—Ladew Topiary Gardens, Part 2

21 Replies

At 2:00 a.m. this morning I found myself absorbed in recording a May 2008 visit with my sister to Ladew Topiary Gardens. So I could get a few hours sleep, I paused overnight in the Yellow Garden (see A Favorite Garden—Ladew Topiary Gardens, Part 1). Now I am anxious to show you the rest of what we saw that lovely spring day.

In this section of the garden, the Yellow Garden, there is an iron arched tunnel covered with Laburnum and our late May visit was perfectly timed so we could admire the golden panicles as we passed underneath.

Yellow Garden. In late May an arched tunnel is dripping with yellow Laburnum

Soon we encountered the Tivoli Tea House and Garden. The Tea House was fabricated using material that once was the Tivoli Theatre’s box office facade in London. Sadly I did not get pictures of the building except as it happened to be near these flowers.

Edge of Tivoli Tea House

What really stood out to me in this area was the hillside below of peonies just beginning to flower. I wanted to camp out and wait to see the entire slope in full bloom.

Peonies near Tea House

We moved on toward the Sculpture Garden, but actually it was about here we were both tiring. My sister found a shady spot to rest while I peeked into just a few more places.

Style is such a personal thing. While I am not a big fan of whimsy in the garden, I recognize it has its place. This is a topiary garden after all and Mr. Ladew was apparently a witty person. He bought the property for fox hunting originally and near the house stands a huge topiary hunting scene (sorry, I did not get a photo of that).

In the Sculpture Garden there were lots of animal forms. On the left is a victory sign and in center is a heart and arrow. Walking around in this area one can also find Churchill’s top hat.

Sculpture Garden Topiaries

My favorite topiary at Ladew was a collection of swans. The yew hedge was shaped to form waves for these creatures and the hedge itself surrounds an oval pool (originally a swimming pool). This 2-acre area is known as The Great Bowl and now in summer it serves as a venue for outdoor concerts.

Topiary Swan

The Great Bowl With Swan Topiary in Background

I will also mention another interesting use of topiary is found nearer the house in the Terrace Garden. My sister and I had passed by this scene at some point earlier. I admired the Canadian hemlock hedges in the Terrace Garden with windows cut into them and garlands draping above.

Original Canadian Hemlock of Terrace Garden

I knew my sister was waiting for me, but before I could leave Ladew I had to see the Iris Garden with over 60 iris varieties. She was very patient with me as I tried to take it all in.

The Iris Garden

It probably was here at Ladew I first saw such a rich darkly colored Iris. I cannot recall if most of the plants were labelled. I think so but made a point to learn this one’s name: Iris ‘Hello Darkness’.

Iris ‘Hello Darkness’ (Bearded Iris) in The Iris Garden

Apparently designed as a lean, Tibetan Buddha I read on the Ladew website this taxus buddha in the Iris Garden is on a diet. Timidity in pruning had allowed his girth to increase. In 2011 the gardeners began a more aggressive program to streamline his shape.

Buddha in The Iris Garden

After seeing the Iris Garden I reconnected with my sister. By then we were exhausted and hungry. Plans for a cafe at Ladew were not yet realized in 2008, but someone at the house gave us directions to a nearby, local establishment for fine dining. We lingered over our food, relaxing and chatting before making the drive back home.

I would love to return to this garden someday to see the rest. It was a fine mixture of long views of the estate balanced with private niches and careful details. Not bad at all for a self-trained gardener Mr. Ladew!

Ladew Topiary Gardens

A Winter Walk

31 Replies

An early afternoon walk today at Duke Gardens was invigorating. The air was chilly in the shade but in the open sun the day felt fine.

A long row of Edgeworthia Chrysantha (Chinese Paper Bush) made a striking winter accent at the base of the terraced gardens.

Edgeworthia Chrysantha (Chinese Paper Bush)

Specimens in pots near the visitor’s center held more Edgeworthia, one of which sported a couple of flowers just beginning to open.

Edgeworthia Chrysantha (Chinese Paper Bush)

The state’s warm spell from earlier in the week teased a few buds into bloom on a Prunus subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’ (Autumn Higan Cherry), offering a spirit-lifting glimpse at the promise of spring.

Prunus subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’ Autumn Higan Cherry

Rainy Sunday Musings

23 Replies

Warm and Sunny Friday

Two days ago the weather could not have more different from today, as Friday was sunny and mild and today is not. The temperature Friday reached the high 70s, not high enough to set a record, but warm enough to beckon everyone to get outside. On that day we took in a lunch-time stroll around the nearby Botanical Garden (NCBG).

All fall at the Botanical Garden I have admired a large planting of Ilex verticillata (Common Winterberry). The display of red berries has been very bright and long-lived.

Ilex verticillata (Common Winterberry) at NCBG

The other thing that caught my attention that day at NCBG was an eastern North American native that reminded me of my childhood when Clark’s Teaberry chewing gum was popular. The plant is Gaultheria procumbens (Eastern Teaberry). It is a low-growing evergreen with a wintergreen scent.

Earlier Friday, I had ventured out in my own garden with the camera looking for flowers. I found very little blooming but I did notice the last vestiges of the pass-along Chrysanthemums. How can it be that this flower could begin in November sporting yellow centers with pale white petals, yet as always, end up pink.

Nov 1, 2013

Dec 6, 2013

I have obviously sited the Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’ (Lil’ Ruby dwarf Oakleaf Hydrangea) in the wrong place. Trying to give it shade, it is tucked in so close to the fence between gardenias and behind a large spirea that it is mostly invisible until I happen right up on it. Maybe that is not so bad to have a nice surprise. This little Ruby Slippers seems to be growing well and lives up to its promise of colorful foliage.

Last winter I ordered several kinds of Anemone coronaria and they were very late shipping. It was already very hot by their arrival time. Soon after I planted the bulbs I resigned myself they had all died, but I came across a few survivors Friday. Planted here are ‘The Bride’ and ‘Mr. Fokker’ and it will be exciting to see them bloom next spring (if in fact that’s what these are).

Today

There was a chance of frozen rain today but we seemed to have missed it, with the temperature hovering at 34-35°F. The rain portion of the prediction was accurate.

Most of the day I have been sipping coffee and watching birds take turns at the feeders through the cold drizzle. There was so much activity at early morning that I took advantage of a momentary break in the rainfall to top off the seeds in the feeders.

Colorful red cardinals are equally beautiful against the green of junipers or against the brown stems of spirea or gray branches of dogwood. At mid-morning a pair of Eastern Bluebirds join in. A couple of Blue Jays showed up for a while, but did not dominate the feeders as I had expected.

Finding an opening, White-breasted Nuthatches, Carolina Chickadees, Black-capped Chickadees, and Dark-eyed Juncos flit in to quickly grab a seed. Northern Flickers and Towhees peck through the underbrush of browned stalks and stems—remnants of perennials left around for winter.

Their pace has not slowed all day.

Clematis ‘Jackmanii’

Garden Bloggers Foliage Day – November 2013

23 Replies

For this month’s Garden Bloggers Foliage Day I am inspired by a recent visit to a public garden in southern California. With more than a dozen themed gardens the Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino near Pasadena features more than 14,000 different plant varieties. I deliberately left my camera at home so I could just enjoy the adventure, but I pulled out my camera phone at the last minute to snap a few images.

During my half-day visit it was impossible to see the entire 120 acres of landscaped gardens, but the recently renovated Japanese Garden was at the top of my list. There was a beautiful ceremonial teahouse, a Japanese House, a Zen Garden and of course, water. The pond featured a charming moon bridge. The bonsai display was extensive. In this image the golden colored group of Ginkgo biloba enhances the view.

Bonsai in Japanese Garden, Huntington Botanical Gardens

Other gardens I visited were the Camellia Garden, Chinese Garden, Conservatory, Herb Garden, Shakespeare Garden and Rose Garden. That means someday I must return to see the Australian, Children’s, Desert, Jungle, Lily Ponds, Palm and Subtropical Gardens.

Camellias were planted along a wooded walk that separated the Japanese and Chinese Gardens. The blooms were gorgeous but what stood out is that with each step I was aware of the intoxicating fragrance of the camellias and certainly I must add more Camellias to my own garden.

The Herb Garden was unexpectedly interesting with some rich fall foliage displays and pomegranates on the trees.

Herb Garden

Pomegranate (Punica granatum)

Walking to the car I had to stop to get pictures of a Gardenia cornuta we just happened to pass. It featured elongated, oval green hips surrounded by glossy, deep green leaves. A few of the gardenia hips had colored to a chocolate brown.

Hips on Gardenia cornuta

Thanks to Christina for hosting GBFD on the 22nd of each month. Visit her at Garden of the Hesperides to discover what foliage displays she and other garden bloggers are featuring today.

Morning At Duke Gardens

17 Replies

Moss Garden, Asiatic Arboretum at Duke Gardens

This morning we took advantage of the weekend’s unseasonably cool temperatures to walk through portions of nearby Duke Gardens, beginning with the Asiatic Arboretum. Along with lovely plants this part of the garden is filled with carefully placed stones, lanterns and water features. A new moss garden was one of the peaceful highlights. It will be interesting to see how this matures over time.

Moss Garden

Moss Garden Stones With Winter Daphne

A most heavenly fragrance led us to admire an enormous cluster of flowering Hedychium coronarium (Ginger lily).

Ginger Lilies

This large, yellow-hued flower belongs to a Dwarf yunnan banana.

Dwarf yunnan banana (Musella lasiocarpa)

A popular attraction in the Asiatic Garden is a garden pond filled with waterfowl and accented at one end with a red Japanese style arched bridge. As we wended our way from one end of the pond to the other I found the many forms of stone especially appealing. I would love to add a huge boulder to my own garden.

(Click image for larger gallery view.)

Japanese Style Arched Bridge

Garden Pond at Asiatic Arboretum

Viburnum? Full Of Red Berries

Stone Path

Stone Lantern

Stone Boulders Form Seating

Blue Heron and Ducks

Garden Pond with Red Bridge

After leaving the Asiatic Garden we passed the butterfly garden where Hibiscus and native Joe-Pye Weed were among the many plants, but only a butterfly or two were there to enjoy them.

Eutrochium (Joe-Pye Weed) in Butterfly Garden

Eutrochium (Joe-Pye Weed)

Eventually we made it to the Terrace Garden where abundant grasses were playing an important role. The pink plumes of grass swayed gently in the breeze, not really coming into focus for the camera, nor even in person. Unfortunately I could not find identifying labels for this set of plants.

Terrace Garden

Grass Plumes In Breeze

Terrace Garden

At half past noon as we were on our way home the thermometer had risen only to 77°F. It was a lovely August morning.

Celebrating Spring

13 Replies

Duke Gardens

To celebrate the first day of Spring yesterday, we went headed to nearby Durham. First we viewed a photography exhibit at the Nasher Museum of Art on the Duke campus and enjoyed lunch at the museum cafe. Next we went to see early spring flowers in the Italianate-styled terraces of the Sarah P. Duke Gardens.

The beds here are planted with annuals and bulbs. Last year when we visited these gardens the tulips were just past their prime and this year we were early. Still there were many pleasures to behold whether looking close-up at the plants or taking in the long views.

Duke Gardens

The day was partly cloudy and I felt a bit cool, that is until we met a woman from Indiana who told us she had left home the previous day in 9°F. weather. She and her daughter were wondering the name of these eye-catching blooms. I had admired this plant earlier and was able to identify it as Anemone (Anemone coronaria ‘Lord Lieutenant’).

Anemone coronaria ‘Lord Lieutenant’

Anemone ‘Rosea’ (Windflower) was also striking.

Anemone ‘Rosea’ (Windflower)-Duke Gardens

At the bottom of the terraces is the fish pond, a favorite spot of small children and and grown-ups alike. To the right of the pond was a wonderful Witch-hazel.

Duke Gardens

Koi Pond-Duke Gardens

Witch-hazel-Duke Gardens

Working our way back up the terraces, one planting I particularly admired was this mix of daffodils and orange tulips.

Tulips and Daffoidls-Duke Gardens

Daffodil-Duke Gardens

Tulip-Duke Gardens

There were many Erysimum (Wallflowers) interspersed with tulips in the beds. Since most tulips were not open we will have to return to see the full effect. One combination of Erysimum with a salmon-pink Hyacinth was lovely.

Erysimum ‘Jenny Brook’ (Wallflower)-Duke Gardens

Wallflower and Hyacinth-Duke Gardens

Hyacinth-Duke Gardens

Sweet William is an old-fashioned flower that I just love.

Sweet William and Tulip-Duke Gardens

These were pretty flowers but I must have been distracted before locating the plant label. Anyone know what they are? [Update: Thanks to both Cathy and Malc for the quick ID of these. This is Bellis perennis, a perennial lawn daisy.]

Duke Gardens

I imagine it might be April before the Wisteria Pergoda at the top of the terraces blooms. Another reason to visit this garden again.

Wisteria-covered Pergola-Duke Gardens

Our spring celebration continued last night at North Carolina Botanical Garden Director Peter White’s presentation of the natural history of Robert Frost’s poetry. Robert Frost visited Chapel Hill for many years to give readings in celebration of spring and walked the woods here. His knowledge of plants is evident in his poetry as White illustrated during his talk.

A Late-Morning February Walk

12 Replies

After a few more cold and wet days the sun returned today and we enjoyed an ever so brief walk at Duke Gardens this morning. This garden is interesting at every visit, but it was reserved and understated today. The terrace gardens are immaculately groomed and primed to burst into color soon, with all the beds full of the green leaves of emerging bulbs.

Bright red berries of Ilex verticillata (Winterberry holly) stood out at the Perennial Allée entrance.

Perennial Allée, Duke Gardens

Winterberry Holly, Perennial Allée, Duke Gardens

The allee is planted with cherry trees and sedge [Carex ‘Amazon Mist’ (New Zealand hair sedge), I think. Need to verify during next visit.]

Winterberry Holly, Perennial Allée, Duke Gardens

On our way out we stopped and watched a couple of mallards enjoying the water.

Mallard Ducks, Duke Gardens

Mallard Duck, Duke Gardens

Morning Walk At Duke Gardens

8 Replies

A fifteen-mile drive from our house this morning placed us in the transformed world of Duke University’s Sarah P. Duke Gardens. This 55-acre public garden features four main sections, including the H.L. Blomquist Garden of Native Plants and an education center with specialized gardens (Doris Duke Center and Gardens).

We headed toward the oldest part, the Historic Gardens section with Italianate terraces, choosing a starting path that touches on the 1.5 acre W.L. Culberson Asiatic Arboretum.

W.L. Culberson Asiatic Arboretum

Several other sets of visitors headed purposefully off to the right to feed the ducks and admire the Ayamebashi (Iris Bridge).

Ayamebashi (Iris Bridge)

As we looked straight ahead at the path, this red bridge was on our right. We turned our attention to the left to see another dramatic view. In the center is the Berini Bridge. Following the path until we could turn back to the left brought us close by the Berini Bridge and eventually put us directly under the large magenta crape myrtle.