Saturday, May 16, 2009

Garden Update on Location: Mom's Garden

Last weekend, I visited my mom and Dave and greatly admired their gorgeous spring garden. I took a load of photos both outside and inside the greenhouse. Please let me know which you think is the best!

From May 2009 photos


Under their showcase dogwood in the back, they keep lots of chairs and a teak table that stands on a leveled berm they installed a few years ago. The flattened area is covered with quartz stones and framed in landscape ties. It's a wonderful setting for a picnic.

From May 2009 photos


There are several ways to enter the garden. This is the view from the entry to the right of the house (as the house faces the road). It's also the view after you exit the Florida room and come down the deck stairs looking to your left. Right now, the azaleas are vibrant in hues of fushcia and peach.

From May 2009 photos


Mom is especially proud of her matching bleeding heart shrubs by the kitchen door. They also butt up against one of the very pink azealas.

From May 2009 photos


Mom's probably cringing because right after I took that photo she cleaned the bird bath. I should have taken an "after" photo.

From May 2009 photos


Usually, my plants bloom before Mom's do, but in this case, her irises bloom earlier. Mine are just beginning, so I'll be taking photos this week. Speaking of irises, today I'll be visiting the Presby Iris Gardens with two of my Montclair friends, Ken and Tanya. Go see the irises now, it's prime time!

From May 2009 photos


That was probably my favorite photo.

From May 2009 photos


Not a great photo, but the colors are true. You could probably see Mom's plants from space.

From May 2009 photos


On this plant, Mom said that she had thinned it out like a bonsai tree. I think it looks interesting -- more than the pink one.

From May 2009 photos


This view is from the other side of the azealas, up toward the back of the property, near the swing. You can see the pink dogwood that helps frame the garage side of the house when cars enter the driveway.

From May 2009 photos


Deep purple irises, nearly black in appearance.

From May 2009 photos


I really enjoy the hellebores. I've seen them in other colors, but not often like the ones here.

From May 2009 photos


Mom and Dave have red and yellow trilliums. They always make me think of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Yes, that's exactly what kind of nerd I am.

Now, we move into the greenhouse for a show of what's in bloom at this moment:

From May 2009 photos


From May 2009 photos


Rather spectacular, isn't it?

From May 2009 photos


From May 2009 photos


From May 2009 photos


I suggested that Mom should start her own orchid/garden blog when she retires to keep up her writing every day. I hope she does it.

From May 2009 photos


An off-season Christmas cactus.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow, they're all gorgeous, as is the photography!

Deb Schiff said...

Thanks, Mcnairy!