Saturday, May 31, 2008

GARDENS: PUBLIC AND PRIVATE

I'm back from Atlanta, Georgia and had a great time at Michelle and Dave's wedding. While down South, I squeezed in a quick visit to the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

They have a nice collection of pastel hydrangeas...
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Endless Summer'
Hydrangea 'Sister Teresa'
Hydrangea serrata 'Maiko'
Hydrangea serrata 'Miyami-ya-muraski'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Alpenglow'

I also sighted several species of frogs.
Throughout the gardens there is an exhibit called Sculpture In Motion.
It featured the works of 16 artists that captured the energy of wind, water, sound, the sun magnetics, or touch. (FYI: The happy bride and groom who were being photographed in front of one of the sculptures are not Michelle and Dave.)
In the large conservatory,
there are collections of orchids and other floral wonders...
and tropical birds competing for your attention.
One of the reasons I love touring public gardens is that I usually discover some new "must-have" for my own garden. This time, I spied an unusual splotched lily. Unfortunately, it wasn't labeled.

Last summer in a Paris park, I fell for a salmon-colored rose, tagged Meilland Star 'Passionate Kisses'. It now grows in my garden
Although I'm not usually a fan of coral blooms, I needed to add this one to my private collection.

Here's a tour of what else is exciting in my garden today.

The Color Flash astilbe is thrilling even when not in bloom.
Introduced in 2006, along with Color Flash Lime (below), which I grow on the opposite side of the slate path in my center bed , the tri-color leaves are as interesting as the flower plumes.The Deutzia are putting on quite a show in the back border.
Several years ago I planted five small deutzia bushes. Three produced the pretty pale pink flowers that I expected.
The other two shrubs, however, are really amazing.
The flowers are much bigger and striped in several shades of pink. I'm not sure if they are 'Rubra' or 'Pink Parfait', but they sure are spectacular.
When you put the flowers side by side, it's hard to believe the shrubs are the same species!
My herb and veggie garden has had to fend for it self this week, because since getting home, I have spent morning, noon, and night proofing and fact checking my Cozy Waterside Cottage book. Can you see the weeds?
It was great fun touching base with all of the homeowners and companies I worked with last year.
Several have exciting new projects or products in the works, which I can't wait to tell you about. I may even be involved in one ... as soon as The Mystery Project is wrapped up.

*** BOUQUET DU JOUR ***

The leaves are a burgundy heuchera and striped hosta. The flowers include magenta peonies, white and raspberry colored astilbes, and 'Passionate Kisses' roses.

15 comments:

Alison Gibbs said...

Barbara thanks for sharing these beautiful gardens with us
Alison

Sometimes It's Good said...

What wonderful garden pictures! They make me want to try some new and different flowers in my garden.

Mandie said...

The gardens are beautiful. I love your blog, I can't wait until your book comes out!

NeereAnDear said...

The gardens are stunning Barbara... Peonies...orchids... roses... hydrangeas... some of my favorite flowers....

Glad you had a wonderful time at the wedding... it must have been beautiful..

Good to see you back... can't wait for the book

HUGS

JO

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures. I love Atlanta. I lived there for many years before moving to the midwest. It's always nice to get back for a visit and see old friends there too.

Hope all is well.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I try to visit botanical gardens when I travel to other cities. I have not been to the one in Atlanta, but now I want to!

Your gardens are all looking so wonderful! I don't know when you find time to take care of them!
Penny

Anonymous said...

So glad the wheels are in motion again for the book and happy to hear from you. Such a beautiful yard you have Barbara. Have you seen the Pinky Winky Hydrangea yet? Roberta

Anonymous said...

So happy you had a good getaway...And fun at the wedding. As usual, your pictures are wonderful. I CAN'T wait to find out all about your Mystery Project.
And weeds....What weeds. It ALL looks perfect to me....:)
Hugs and love,
Dianne

Ruth Welter said...

I loved all the garden photos Barbara...Also loved the frog sculpture, that has to be a favorite. I love those lilies as well, they are gorgeous and I've never seen anything like them. Too bad they were not labled!!! They kind of remind me a bit of watercolor...they are so very pretty and unusual.

Vintage Rose Collection said...

I love the summer Hydrangeas too Barbara..Your photos are a delight to the senses...
Thanks for the calming interlude today...
Jo
xo

Kathy said...

Gorgeous garden! I have four varieties of hydrangea in my garden and have a white Queen Anne's Lace but had not seen a pink hydrangea QAL before---lovely! I'm curious if you feed them something different to alter their colors (I've heard of people doing this). I live near the beach so the coastal keeps mine healthy and my feeding is a wee bit irregular but I'd love to play with the colors.

Barbara said...

I enjoyed the whole trip but especially liked the frog as it is so different.

Sandy said...

Double SIGH! THIS is what I came here for, beautiful blooms! I am really not much of a gardener, It try but with little success so, I just lurk around looking at other peoples gardens.

The book sounds like a must have for my bookshelf, can't wait!

FrenchGardenHouse said...

good grief, a full, full post of the most wonderful pictures!! And those hydrangeas, my favorite.
xo Lidy

Catherine said...

Thanks for sharing all of the beautiful garden pics Barbara! Also, I've been catching up on your blog, So Congratulations on your one yr. anniversary! Wow you have a lot of exciting changes in one yr. congrats on that too! :)
LOVE THOSE HYDRANGEAS!!
Enjoy your week!
Cat