Outdoor Garden Party

One way to always have guests

on your patio would be to have

these evergreen deer topiaries.

These two won't eat all the greens

and flowers either.

They have done a great job

shaping and trimming their antlers;

haven't they?  

Too cute!

Next time someone asks to get

a puppy or a kitten and you feel you

have enough already, get them

an animal topiary or two.

White Flower Hedgerows

White flowers are cheery even on cloudy, drizzle days like today. Hedgerows here have a wide collection of shrubs and trees. So I just picked three, white field notes. Then I divided those up to put in small white milk vases...but first they had to go on the burlap for their portrait. The dogwood is obvious and now for the other two I will tell you shortly. The one looks like a viburnam. It is a tree about 15 feet tall and some varities grow to 30 feet. I need to be on a first name basis with these pretty things. The leaves are as gorgeous as the flowers. Here is a list of recommended viburnums here.

It's time to shear sheep. There will be lots of white wool around to wash and tie.

I'm connecting up with these fun friends:

White Wednesday, Ivy and Elephants, Savvy Southern Style

Gardenia and Primrose and...

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A stroll through the local garden nursery turned into aroma therapy. This sweet scented white gardenia relaxes every muscle in your body. I always feel invigorated after a walk down the aisles. Light of heart and mind, but a longer list of plants and seeds on my wish list.

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Light and airy would describe the white primroses. A large grouping of these would be terrific and eye catching! They are so beautiful and feminine that we really don't miss a scent. They have many other attributes. Today I got busy and got my hands dirty. All of the extra lavender plants that have been grouped by the veranda/porch were finally given a place in the garden. We've had a few days at 63 and it is fabulous! Things are getting accomplished outside. Yay!

Connecting up to French Country Cottage.

Grainy Sugar Snow

We got it last night. Snow sifted on us and then little balls of ice. They call it wintery mix. We call it Maryland snow. It gives such a fresh, bright look to the usual winter browns of trees. Then there is the boxwood with the leaves a deep green with the white icing. Nice contrast. I do love English boxwood. It always looks beautiful January through January! June through June. This garden is off of our porch or veranda.

The snow ought to make it easier for the birds to see the berries...

This thuga shrub turns the color of a brown paper bag. The snow covers enough branches so that the ones we see look lacy.

All of the little animal tracks decorate the fields and... roads. Last night I was out driving and there were kids doing donuts at intersections. They were hitting the brakes and doing all of the things you are taught not to if you want to stay on the road. I wonder what their cars look like this morning? Keep on the road and keep warm.

Thanksgiving Bittersweet Berries

I was fortunate to get these beautiful branches loaded with berries from a perennial vine called bittersweet the day before thanksgiving. They really add color.




Did everyone have a good time with family and friends? We did...and still are...still eating and having a good time. I'm going to bed earlier tonight.






The weather was great today. It really cools down at night though. We are ready and have marshmallows. Big decisions...in the hot chocolate or toast by the fire.

Roses for Lunch? - Beautiful edibles

Most of us know that rose hips are added to teas, but how many know that rose petals are edible as well? That is if you've grown them yourself and they are organic. This notion intrigued me. I brought in a gorgeous, climbing dynamite red rose for a taste. The colors were so striking against the white plate. I got my camera to join me on this unusual dining excursion.

I pulled off the petals in bunches and dropped them onto my plate, in a let's get this over attitude. What lay before me seemed too lovely to partake of. Food for the heart, yes, but food for the stomach? They represent so much more. It's true. I've eaten bright orange and yellow nastursiums in salads and not felt a bit bad about it. Roses just seem holier.

Instead of eating them I left a message that everyone understands. I love roses! These petals are now in a teacup on my counter. Maybe tomorrow I'll get up the nerve and make rose petal ice cream!

Topiary Animals- Green Art Forms

Maybe next year we won't grow vegetables in our garden. We'll plant our own zoo like this. Isn't it gorgeous?





This Scottie is at Hyde Park.




The longhorn cattle are appropriately at a nursery in Texas.

The clipped birds below are in Asia.

I need blinders - Garden distractions

I need blinders just like these horses have so that I can make a straight shot when I go outside. I start out for something and then get distracted by all the plants unfurling around me. Soon I am down on my hands and knees looking at nature's intricate beauties.



Look at the dewdrops on our ladies mantle leaves. It's a wonder any of these are clear because once I get down on my knees the cat starts biting my toe (for fun, mind you) or licking my fingers.



These dew diamonds are little miracles. All these hidden jewels to be discovered today. Did you know that dew will not form if it's windy? The moisture in the air will be fog instead. Nature is amazing.

The silver mound is so ferny you just have to run your hand over it and tussel it a bit.

The peonies are loaded with buds and the ants are rushing around snacking on the sap.

Look at the texture of the leaves and stems of the rhododendren.

I round the bend and the flowering quince wakes you up with it's splash of red and a jolt of sunshine. This ornamental shrub is about the size of an outdoor building. The bright light reminds me why I went outside again. I went out to check on the lambs and to take a short break from painting. It also reminds me to adding weeding to my list of things to do.

I'm loving the paintings I'm working on! Check back.

A Walk in the Garden Foliage & Cuttings

This cool 49 degree chill makes for brisk walking unless you are looking at perennials and shrubs. Then I dawdle a bit. I picked a few leaves and cuttings to bring inside. Rather holiday colors---the burgundy foliage and evergreens that I love. Burgundy and lime green are very catchy colors.

From bottom left moving clockwise in the ABOVE photo is euphorbia, hydrangea leaf, ruby fringeflower cutting, yew cutting, purple sage, bugbane, cedar cutting, coral bells leaf, cypress cutting.

I didn't bring in all the burgundies. That way I can flutter around, from plant to shrub, and gather another little "foliage bouquet" on my next walk. Why don't we wear foliage boutonieres? Or carry foliage nosegays?

After I took the picture I put them on the tablecloth and the red made the green color pop out. This is what every gardener does...walks around with leaves to match or contrast foliage. Some designers do it in their head, but it's so much better to actually walk around outside holding up leaves and comparing in the garden while the leaves fall like confetti on you and the woodpecker keeps a steady beat. The squirrels chitter-chatter and scramble up trees that no longer hide them.

Somehow in the fall the squirrels think the gardens are theirs! That is when our westie doggy boy is inside the house. They keep a very low profile when he is running with his nose to the ground. The ground that is still waiting for more tulip and daffodil bulbs to be planted...sigh