I could look back at the Fling itinerary and tell you what day we visited this garden...but does it really matter? No. It's all a blur now, just warm, fuzzy happy memories.
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Recently Andrew and I were talking about what's important to us — as far as how we spend our money — and we both rank travel way up there. Now granted Garden Bloggers Flings aren't like visiting other parts of the world and immersing yourself in their culture, but for me — as a gardener and garden writer — they're invaluable. I get to experience (up close and personal) how people garden in climates vastly different from my own. It's a wonderful thing.
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So anyway, back to this garden in Virginia, here's the description from our brochure...."The front garden features a spectacular variety of azaleas, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, flowering trees and a dry river bed, in addition to a large perennial bed containing spring bulbs, lilies, small blooming shrubs, clematis and over 100 different perennials giving bloom throughout the spring, summer and fall. The highlight of the property is the almost 2 acre woodland garden with paths carved among the tall American hollies, oaks, maples, hickories and dogwoods that are native to the property."
What that description doesn't mention is the owner and gardener had a serious lust for garden art. Objects of every style, material, shape and size. It was a bit overwhelming for me. The photos I took, and will share, greatly downplayed that aspect — that's the way I chose to record this garden.
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Notice the pool, a bit of blue, under that Japanese maple. That's the pool house (and maybe a guest house?) just beyond.
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The main house is seen beyond the urn, but of course the most important element of this photo is the Opuntia...
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Fabulouso!
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A closer look at the pool...
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I have no idea what these are, but thought them absolutely stunning growing up in the cracks of the stone.
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Speaking of stone. Those aren't soft pillows...
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Love the bricks in the moss...
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Buckeye?
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The same tree with fun metal fiddle-head-ish shapes.
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The mossy pathways in this garden were exquisite.
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Variegated Liriope? (best guess)
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Yes, I do have a soft spot for pink flamingos. They will always be appreciated.
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The way different materials meet up is always interesting to me.
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A clear look at the pool and the main house.
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And this!!! This garden was the first time I spotted my 2017 Fling crush, Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Prostrata', aka Spreading Japanese Plum Yew.
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It was grown wonderfully here...
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An entire swath!
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Weather Diary, Sept 6: Hi 83, Low 66/ Precip 0
All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Recently Andrew and I were talking about what's important to us — as far as how we spend our money — and we both rank travel way up there. Now granted Garden Bloggers Flings aren't like visiting other parts of the world and immersing yourself in their culture, but for me — as a gardener and garden writer — they're invaluable. I get to experience (up close and personal) how people garden in climates vastly different from my own. It's a wonderful thing.
So anyway, back to this garden in Virginia, here's the description from our brochure...."The front garden features a spectacular variety of azaleas, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, flowering trees and a dry river bed, in addition to a large perennial bed containing spring bulbs, lilies, small blooming shrubs, clematis and over 100 different perennials giving bloom throughout the spring, summer and fall. The highlight of the property is the almost 2 acre woodland garden with paths carved among the tall American hollies, oaks, maples, hickories and dogwoods that are native to the property."
What that description doesn't mention is the owner and gardener had a serious lust for garden art. Objects of every style, material, shape and size. It was a bit overwhelming for me. The photos I took, and will share, greatly downplayed that aspect — that's the way I chose to record this garden.
Notice the pool, a bit of blue, under that Japanese maple. That's the pool house (and maybe a guest house?) just beyond.
The main house is seen beyond the urn, but of course the most important element of this photo is the Opuntia...
Fabulouso!
A closer look at the pool...
I have no idea what these are, but thought them absolutely stunning growing up in the cracks of the stone.
Speaking of stone. Those aren't soft pillows...
Love the bricks in the moss...
Buckeye?
The same tree with fun metal fiddle-head-ish shapes.
The mossy pathways in this garden were exquisite.
Variegated Liriope? (best guess)
Yes, I do have a soft spot for pink flamingos. They will always be appreciated.
The way different materials meet up is always interesting to me.
A clear look at the pool and the main house.
And this!!! This garden was the first time I spotted my 2017 Fling crush, Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Prostrata', aka Spreading Japanese Plum Yew.
It was grown wonderfully here...
An entire swath!
Weather Diary, Sept 6: Hi 83, Low 66/ Precip 0
All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.