Hidden Magnolias

Yesterday my husband and I spent a delightful day in Sparta, GA at the Not your Mama's Garden Tour. Robert and Susanne Currey (pictured above) bought and  lovingly restored the Harley Harris Rives House in downtown Sparta and turned 2 acres of the overgrown "formal" gardens into an organic treasure. They call it Elm Street Gardens. The gardens are located in the back of the house. They use a no-till organic process. Constant mulching and companion planting a a focus.  Beautiful bedded rows of fresh goodness. Here is my husband checking it all out -- row by row. I so wanted to snatch up one of these beautiful lettuces. Flowers are interspersed with the vegetables, making the garden a visual delight. There were several hoop houses to protect the tender plants from the hot Georgia sun. Inside one of them was a plant I had never seen before. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was an artichoke. They also k...

Spring is finally here.  I love the green, the flowers, and the new life. The Cherokee Rose blooms in early spring and it's dainty flower lasts for only a short time... Yellow Bearded iris Some woodland hyacinths popped up in the day-lily bed. I will transplant to a better location. And of course, the basic violet. Thought to be a pest, I do love them. I guess because of the later spring and all the rain, we have a have marvelous, very green spring. This was my ride to work this week. Enjoy the Spring.  Pat

Today I stumbled upon this beautiful website/shop. It is called the Enchanted Home.  Actually I found it through reading this blog:   Belclaire House . Jennifer could not have written  better post about the goodies found at the Enchanted Home. I love her opening statement, " Forgive me Father for I have sinned.  No, I'm not talking about the overindulgence in bubbly that may or may not have happened at the wedding the other night, and if it did it has nothing to do with the awesome dance routine my friends and I have perfected to Proud Mary (that's not even a sin yo).  No, Father, it's that I coveteth.  I coveteth hard. " She couldn't have said it any better.  This online store is full of delightful goodies for the traditional home that is sure to please anyone. A few of my favorites. (All images from the website.) Check it out. Lovely!

Being a Southerner, I have a soft spot in my heart for the lacy flowering dogwoods that grace our yards in early spring. But I have an unusual dogwood in my yard. It is called a Kousa Dogwood . I was inspired to write this post because my artist friend June Corley , down in  Loachapoka, AL, (who lives in the most delightful magic place) posted pictures of her Kousas in full bloom. Aren't they magnificent? June Corley June Corley Kousa Dogwoods are native to Asia and can be distinguished from the traditional dogwood we see down here by the fact that it flowers about a month later, and it has pointed rather than rounded flower bracts: Traditional dogwood: Another distinguishing feature is the interesting fruit. It is bright red and said to be edible. A website called You Grow Girl indicates that you can eat the fruit. Since my tree is usually loaded with these red berries, I might...

Despite cooler than average temps this year, nature still finds a way to show the beauty of Spring.  I thought I would share some of my garden delights that are not the traditional southern dogwoods and azaleas. The Cherokee Rose bush. Designated in 1916 as the state flower of Georgia, there is some debate about the origins.  Women's clubs all over Georgia insist it was a flower cultivated by the Cherokees, but today's horticulturists say it was brought over from Asia and should be considered and invasive species.  Regardless, I love it. Beautiful irises have popped up here and there. I particularly like this old fashioned purple bearded guy.  The yellow one is not bad either. And all over my yard is an abundance of Silver Dollar plants. I love their frilly white flowers. They have popped up in the best places this year. And of course, the short lived, ...