Backyard Exploring- The Seasons in Wildflowers

This spring marked the first that I have spent on my new property.  With so many new things to discover and learn about the different corners of my garden, I was delighted to find a whole world of native wild flowers and plants growing amongst a tangled and seemingly overgrown patch of woodland.

In the early spring my lawn was sprinkled with little clumps of purple violets winding their way down to the creek's edge.  I traced them in the grass like I was searching for a lost piece of jewelry, and made my way to a fenced area along the creek where the previous owners' chickens once resided.
 

Crossing the creek which was freely flowing from the springtime melt, I discovered an exciting variety of natural wildflowers and woodland plants.  This wonderful surprise was beginning to add new personality to the wooded area that I had only seen in winter, and late summer last year. 

Little treasures dotted the forest, and taking care not to step on them, I made my way around, perking up with a glimmer of a smile at each new sighting.  

One day, a sea of pink and white fragrant phlox, filled the forest across from the creek like dots of a Monet painting.

 Once June arrived, I began to notice a strong floral fragrance in the air as I worked in the garden.  As always, when I notice something like this, I look up into the trees to try to identify the source.  It's usually some type of magnolia or flowering tree that I have never seen before.  After some investigation, I noticed that the honeysuckles were in full bloom.   I have always loved their sweet smell, and carefully extracting the nectar from the little flowers as a child.  There is a vine draped over the fence right near the vegetable garden and the smell fills the air as I stake my tomatoes and train my beans.  I made my way back into the woods, and noticed a shrub that looked very much like privet.  It was blooming with such an intoxicating fragrance that I had to cut some and bring it on to my patio.  The smell permeated the air everywhere, and behind it were notes of wild roses.

 I also have been keeping an eye out for plants that I can introduce into the landscape, as a sort of experiment.  Attaining a balance between natural, wild, and cultivated gardening is exciting.  I don't know what the summer holds, but I will be looking out for new surprises! 

Here is one of my first experiments!

 

Daffodil Ammends and an Ode to a Tulip

I had never been a huge fan of spring narcissus...otherwise known as daffodils.  Maybe it was the bright color yellow (which has not been one of my favorites), or the association with the sniffles and sneezing that often signaled the beginning of spring for me.  Perhaps I grew bored with them.  I always knew that there were a range of different varieties, shapes and colors, but for some reason, I never really gave them a fair chance.

Of course, I would plant Easter gifts of mini daffodils each season, but always forgot where I had planted them.  Last year, to try and remedy my detached relationship with the ever so loved bulb, I bought a bag of white daffodils and planted them though out my perennial beds.  When they appeared, I felt a twinge of excitement.  They were cute and cheery and a little bit different from other types that I had seen.

I moved to a new house and garden during the winter, so I had seen the landscaping in late summer/fall, but never really had the opportunity to inspect the subtleties of the plant life.  Of course I brought many of my own valued plants, ones that I had added to my collection and wanted to introduce into the new setting.  With the coming of spring, and a brand new garden, there were so many lovely surprises that I was welcomed with each day.

The collection of daffodils was one of these surprises.  Everyday, I would walk around the yard and noticed daffodil varieties that I had never seen before.  Each bunch appeared gradually, like a wave coming on to the beach and leaving a trace of water behind in the sand.  I had planted one or two packs of bulbs in the fall, but back then had no idea about the collection that I was adding on to. 

This one below is one of my new all time favorites...despite it's yellow color (wink wink).  It has a flower as detailed as a peony and smells so fragrant and sweet.  The flowers are so heavy that they needed to be supported in wet weather to keep their pretty little heads out of the mulch beds.

The creamy yellow small ones, and little white ones looked like they belonged in some kind of dewy fairy world.

Varieties with two tones were spectacular, fading from one color to another, or bright colored center against yellow or white petals.  Others sported multiple layers and ruffles adding complexity to their  beauty.  They were planted in clumps, with different varieties positioned next to one another, which added emphasis to their individual characteristics. 

I was so excited to see all of the different kinds that I now had on my property that I began cutting them and making arrangements to give away to friends, and decorate the center of my breakfast table.  I went for a walk around the creek that runs through my back yard, collecting wild grape hyacinth so that I could add a pop of contrasting royal blue color to the bouquets. 

Now, much like many plants that I discover each season, I have opened my eyes and have become intrigued by these intoxicating little flowers.  Each fall, I will be sure to keep an eye out for new varieties to add to my collection. 

As an ode to my former favorite spring flowering bulb, one single yellow tulip appeared in my new garden!  (And of course it was yellow...)

Longwood Gardens...Birds and a garden of lights for the Holidays!

I have made one trip to Longwood Gardens each year since I was a baby.  Missing a visit (if any) always made that year seem incomplete.  In all of this time however, I have never visited the garden during the Holidays and following this recent trip, it is hard to believe that I will not turn my yearly visit into two.

 

 

 

Touring the gardens in the winter gives it a completely new perspective, forcing me to notice things that I never would have during the rest of the year.  It brings the garden inside, creating a spectacular setting for the garden to thrive all year long.

I arrived mid afternoon, wandered about as the sun set, and had a wonderful (but very chilly) walk through the grounds to see the outside lights.  This transformation of light in the conservatory was a surprise, as the garden spaces changed so drastically as evening approached. 

One of the highlights for me was to see the conservatory floor covered with a layer of water, which has been a rare occurrence during my visits.  The floor and fountain in the center were lined with pink poinsettas, while crystal lights hung down from the ceiling like icicles.  Orchids hovered high above in hanging planters.  In the distance, a magical blue wisteria tree stood out like the paint daubs in one of Monet's Water Lilies paintings.  The tree, made entirely out of cut paper, stood in the grand banquet room as the centerpiece for an elaborate peacock themed table scape.

 

 

I had a chance to sit in the grand ballroom for the first time, and listen to a holiday musical performance.  The back room museum was open where the mind blowing, multi-story, 10,010 pipe Aeolian organ is housed.  Listening to the elaborate instrument in this setting was like being transported back in time, allowing me to catch a glimpse of what it might have sounded like at a formal DuPont dinner party back in the 1920's.

In the main conservatory, Narcissus and Amaryllis popped up and out among blue gray foliage, while the paths were lined with bushy red and pink Poinsettas.

A variety of periwinkle blooms stood against yellows and oranges creating a wonderful winter combination of color.  I was enchanted by the variety of plants that were used in each display and deliberately in each room.

Even the little pomegranate bonsai was proudly showing off it's year's work.

The theme this year was centered around birds, which was exciting for me as I have recently adopted the tradition of collecting one bird ornament each year.  Not only were there birds hidden in every nook of the conservatory, but the lights and plants that surrounded them were spectacular.

From pine cone penguins in the dessert house...

To the tiny bluebirds perched among the willow branches...

And an evergreen tree centered in a pineapple patch, inhabited by cardinals, blue birds, snowy owls, and woodpeckers!...

While tiny fluttering glass hummingbirds flitted around in the tropical garden...

The arctic theme in the dessert garden seemed to be a fitting contrast, warming the penguins as the sun began to set in the icy backdrop of the world outside...

The conservatory began to transform into a magical, twinkling setting.  The lighting at this time of day was beautiful as the grand space began to take on a different personality, becoming more intimate and cozy.  The cobalt blue sky created a perfect compliment to the warm light and colorful plants and flowers inside.

Finally, it was time to venture out of the warmth of the greenhouses and into the frigid cold.  I made my way along the path to see the colorful lights decorating the trees in the landscape.  Knowing this place so well, it was wonderful to see it so transformed, allowing the trees to have their moment on stage.

And so my first holiday trip to Longwood was a success.  What a festive garden visit in the middle of cold cold months of winter! 

Until spring...