Deep Green World

The shady areas of my garden are lush and restful. In July they have become a deep green world with accents of white and an occasional pop of pink, orange or burgundy. The woodlands are a welcome shelter from the white hot sun. It is not the time of year for heavy or even moderate gardening, but for languid strolls, embracing the moist tropical air and keeping a bottle of cold water at hand. I take my time. I pause to take in the overall view, then slowly search out details of individual plants.

Here are some images from my deep green world. Some views will be familiar to those who regularly follow my blog, but I like to provide images through the changing seasons:

This very old birdhouse in the Trident maple has acquired a mossy patina.

 

Ligularia

Hardy begonia

Stromanthe 'Tricolor' is a potted tropical plant that spends the winter indoors.

Variegated toad lily

Zantedeschia

Hepatica, also called liverwort

Autumn fern peeks between leaves of Hosta 'Francis Williams.'

Dracaena marginata is another tropical plant that comes inside for the winter.

A potted ivy hangs from a decorative bracket beneath a birdhouse near the entrance to the woodland garden.

The sun glinting off this fern was almost too bright, until I turned it black and white:

Hydrangea 'Lady in Red' remains one of my favorite woodland plants:

Cercis canadensis ‘Whitewater’

Clockwise from top left: Pieris japonica; Hosta 'Sum and Substance' bloom; Snowflake hydrangea; Variegated hydrangea; Limelight hydrangea; A summer-blooming native azalea.

I hope you enjoyed these views of my deep green world. Have a great week!  Deb

Magic Light in the Garden

I must be kin to a lizard. I suffer terribly on gray, cold days, coiled under cover and biding my time with a sluggish spirit. But let the warm sun shine, and I am out! Basking in the regenerative rays, all energy renewed, taking it in, joy, joy!This Talavera lizard doesn't like freezing weather, either, but he enjoys warmer months outside on the patio.

Winter, mild though it is compared to most of the country, has persisted far too long for my comfort. So when temperatures recently climbed into the 70s and the gentle light of spring washed over the earth, I was ready to officially declare winter gone for the year. Out came the cushions for the patio furniture. Into the garden went the tropical plants that had spent the last few months in Lou's office. ( And Lou was happy that his work space no longer smelled or looked like a greenhouse.) 

Cruel joke! The last two days have been cold again with rain, and more predicted today. But I'm OK. I know it is only winter dragging its last nasty tentacles behind. On the good days I was able to get out to take photos, and I have enjoyed reviewing them as I prepared this post.

The garden is pretty enough, but there are moments when light transforms it into something magical, and those moments are maybe what I do all the work for.

Here are a few shots of the magic light in the garden. Enjoy!

In the woodland garden:

The new birdhouse at the entrance to the woodland garden will soon get a flowering vine, probably a clematis. Meanwhile, plants around its base are beginning to grow:

Here's another birdhouse in the woodland garden. It's an old birdhouse in a new location and an equally old, rusty bird has laid claim to it:

The columbine I planted earlier this year continues to bloom well:

A few more shots inside the woodland garden:Clockwise from upper left: This Pieris japonica (Japanese Andromeda) was a rescue plant. I think it has finally made the turn toward health. Acer japonica 'Vitifolium' has put out its first leaves. I planted this little tree last September. A recent late freeze frosted a Saucer magnolia, but I am happy that some undamaged flowers are now opening. Fern fronds are coming up all over the woodland garden. Surely a sign that winter is past!

I love the woodlands this time of year, but other parts of the garden will not be overlooked.

Dogwoods and azaleas are just beginning to bloom, and soon they will be putting on a show!