I may have taken my sweet time getting here — and jumped all over the itinerary in the process — but I'm wrapping up my 2017 GB Fling posts with the closing event of the DC Region Fling — and not a moment too soon, since the 2018 Fling kicks off in just a little over eight weeks! Our final stop that hot June day was Meadowlark Botanical Gardens.
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Meadowlark consists of 95 acres of ornamental display gardens and unique native plant collections and is located in Vienna, Virginia.
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I was a little overwhelmed upon entering the garden and not sure which way to head, I chose the containers (familiarity?)...
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Inside that big stacked stone circle was this, along with bits of ash. It must be a fire circle at some point in the year and they'd sunk containers in?
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Looking a little more polished was this group.
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Agave stricta?
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A very pale (and beautiful) Agave desmettiana 'Joe Hoak'.
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Looking back over my shoulder...
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Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Prostrata', aka Spreading Japanese Plum Yew, my official Fling crush...which I have yet to track down here in Oregon. Must find this plant!
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I got the bee! I never get the bee...
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They do Echinacea well in this part of the country.
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Diverging from the flowers for a moment I discovered a tropical foliage island.
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Tetrapanax have an entirely different feel when you're looking down on those big leaves.
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Bromeliads in the ground! And who knew Coleus would look so nice with them?
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I had that gorgeous Cordyine (on the right) for awhile. Until it died. I don't think it ever even escaped it's houseplant gig to vacation outside for the summer.
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What is this bit of loveliness?
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Looks like maybe a Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' that's been coppiced. Do they do that?
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Looking back at the building we first entered when we arrived.
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And out at the vast land to explore.
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It was in this garden that I got the sad news that a dear friend's mother had died. I didn't know her well, although I did attend his parent's 50th wedding anniversary and have known him for some 30 years.
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The feeling of sadness definitely colored my visit, although where better to get sad news, and work through it, than in a garden?
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And a garden with ruins no less!
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Like I said, they do Echinacea well here...
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Most everyone was heading down this path to see the Korean Bell Garden...
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But I really craved a little alone time so I headed off towards that bridge.
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Where I could admire the lotus.
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And then rejoin the gang for our closing dinner. Will you be "flinging" in Austin this year? I think they have just 5 or 6 spots left! Check out the details here: Austin 2018. Thank you to Tammy and the whole DC Fling crew, you showed us an amazing time!
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Weather Diary, Feb 4: Hi 51, Low 33/ Precip trace
All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Meadowlark consists of 95 acres of ornamental display gardens and unique native plant collections and is located in Vienna, Virginia.
I was a little overwhelmed upon entering the garden and not sure which way to head, I chose the containers (familiarity?)...
Inside that big stacked stone circle was this, along with bits of ash. It must be a fire circle at some point in the year and they'd sunk containers in?
Looking a little more polished was this group.
Agave stricta?
A very pale (and beautiful) Agave desmettiana 'Joe Hoak'.
Looking back over my shoulder...
Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Prostrata', aka Spreading Japanese Plum Yew, my official Fling crush...which I have yet to track down here in Oregon. Must find this plant!
I got the bee! I never get the bee...
They do Echinacea well in this part of the country.
Diverging from the flowers for a moment I discovered a tropical foliage island.
Tetrapanax have an entirely different feel when you're looking down on those big leaves.
Bromeliads in the ground! And who knew Coleus would look so nice with them?
I had that gorgeous Cordyine (on the right) for awhile. Until it died. I don't think it ever even escaped it's houseplant gig to vacation outside for the summer.
What is this bit of loveliness?
Looks like maybe a Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' that's been coppiced. Do they do that?
Looking back at the building we first entered when we arrived.
And out at the vast land to explore.
It was in this garden that I got the sad news that a dear friend's mother had died. I didn't know her well, although I did attend his parent's 50th wedding anniversary and have known him for some 30 years.
The feeling of sadness definitely colored my visit, although where better to get sad news, and work through it, than in a garden?
And a garden with ruins no less!
Like I said, they do Echinacea well here...
Most everyone was heading down this path to see the Korean Bell Garden...
But I really craved a little alone time so I headed off towards that bridge.
Where I could admire the lotus.
And then rejoin the gang for our closing dinner. Will you be "flinging" in Austin this year? I think they have just 5 or 6 spots left! Check out the details here: Austin 2018. Thank you to Tammy and the whole DC Fling crew, you showed us an amazing time!
Weather Diary, Feb 4: Hi 51, Low 33/ Precip trace
All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.