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.