Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Another Lesson in Patience

I think winter pictures of snow covered gardens are so pretty.   However, it's a rare sight to see snow falling here, even the light dusting we got last week.

I laughed at the snowmen that were featured on the local news.  The snowmen were miniatures!  Each snowman was only 2 or 3 inches high!  The perfect size for a fairy garden.

With all the ups and downs in the temperatures, working in the garden has been on and off, too.  I have cut all the dead foliage off of the cannas, asters, and chrysanthemums.  I've also weeded, but I have a lot of weeding to do still.  I'll have to do a post on the persistence and resiliency of my weeds!

There is not much blooming in my garden right now.  A camellia bloom here and there.  And the rosemary is gorgeous.


But the most exciting bloom for me is the lone snowdrop that has finally decided to bloom.  It is blooming slowly.  I've been watching it for two weeks, and it is just now beginning to open its petals.  These would be perfect to pair with miniature snowmen!  I'm not sure this is snowdrop country, but I thought I'd give some a try.  There are a few more snowdrops that have emerged, but so far they are just pretty little leaves with no blooms.  I'll wait patiently for them.  Even in a snowdrop bloom, the garden teaches us a lesson in patience.

It's really hard to get a beauty shot of a snowdrop!  This was the best I could do.

And, so, with my garden in the middle of winter, I've been trying to remember that spring will come, and plants will bloom again, filling the garden with color.  It's becoming increasingly difficult for me to even imagine it.  Last May, I toured a friend's garden.  I didn't post the pictures then, and I'm glad I didn't.  I think now is the perfect time to post them.  It's a good reminder that spring will eventually come.


Look at the gorgeous foliage!  So many colors without a bloom in sight.


So green.  So refreshing.  So calming.

But, she had blooms, too!


Oh, yes, she had blooms.


Hers was a walking garden, with green pathways of grass and numerous flower beds.


I loved that she wasn't afraid to use a rainbow of colors.  Pink, red, orange, yellow - they were all here.


See what I mean?  Isn't it gorgeous?


I'd forgotten how colorful May can be!


To me, the piece de resistance was this rose covered arbor (Peggy Martin rose).  Just gorgeous!  Notice, too, the urns filed with sea shells.  This was a theme that was repeated in different areas of her garden.


Seashells surrounded by succulents.  And did you notice the small stakes of silver balls?  That, too, was a recurring theme.


These large stakes of silver balls looked almost like additional blooms.


And here they are again!  I just adored this unique, eye-catching, and beautiful idea.


Ah, yes, spring will come again.  Winter is just another lesson in patience.



56 comments:

  1. Oh, how nice to get a glimpse of summer and things to come! And what a gorgeous garden!
    It is hard waiting so patiently sometimes. Now that I'm up North, I can't help thinking things like, 'oh my earliest crocuses might be blooming by now back in NC', or 'my earliest daffodils daffodils would have been coming up by now.' But, on the other hand, I won't have the heat to contend with in summer (I keep reminding myself). Boy am I ready for some spring, though - we'll see how long it is before I go crazy from too much snow!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel for you having a later spring than what you're used to. But, you're right, come summer you will be thrilled!

      Delete
  2. The garden photos were really, really needed here today, we are stuck in another polar-attack again, and it's -19 this morning. I love the silver balls and have some tucked in the garden here and there, they reflect the foliage and flowers beautifully. I've never seen the tiny ones on stakes before, they are beautiful. Thank you for sharing this breath of spring with me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't even imagine those temperatures! I don't think I would get out of bed! ;) I really loved the silver balls. They really added to the beauty of the garden instead of distracting from it.

      Delete
  3. Here in southern California it has been unseasonably warm this winter but we're playing a different kind of waiting game - we're waiting for rain. It is indeed hard to be patient.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been hearing about the drought there. I do hope you start getting some rain soon. There's nothing worse than seeing the countryside dying from lack of rain.

      Delete
  4. Winter can be a test of patience. It will arrive soon but whilst waiting its nice to see a reminder of it via those nice photos!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Usually our worst month for winter weather is February, so I'm wondering what it will bring! But, then March will come and it will be an entirely different world out there! Really, it's only a few weeks away!

      Delete
  5. Your friend's garden is gorgeous, Holley. I love the mixture of different colors. Your snowdrop will prettily bloom, sure.
    Have a nice day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have been surprised that the snowdrop it taking so long to open its petals. But it was fun to see it beginning to bloom! I'm hoping that it will start a chain reaction with my other flowers! :)

      Delete
  6. The garden is so pretty with such a great personality too. At least we don't have to wait as long for spring in Texas as in some other places.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're right, Shirley! Spring will be here before we know it - and we will soon be complaining about the hot weather! ;)

      Delete
  7. What a beautiful and refreshing way to spend a winter day, revisiting your friend's summer garden! I love those silver balls that look like tall blooms. I'll send you some of our New England snow if you want to make a snowman that's more than a few inches tall . . .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's o.k., Laurrie, I really don't want any more snow. Although, we just might get some more this year - it seems like this would be the winter for it!

      Delete
  8. Beautiful garden! I almost can imagine that in a few months everything is growing and flowering again. Nature is wonderful is n't it. The silver balls between the flowers is a great idea.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, nature is wonderful. And it really won't be long until spring is here - it just feels like forever!

      Delete
  9. Her garden is glorious! I do love her roses and her use of color! It is so refreshing to see such beauty on this very cold winter day! It gets my imagination moving for spring and what could be!!! Hope you are well friend and thank you so much for sharing!! Nicole

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really is fun to look back at photos and see how the garden transforms from dreary and drab to full of voluptuous color. It's quite remarkable to see the contrast!

      Delete
  10. I adore those beautiful flowers, such lovely roses!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was fun to see those spring photos again in winter!

      Delete
  11. Holley, Your post was just what I needed to see! We have been having unusual spring like weather for way too long this year without a drop of rain in January, and this is the driest year on record. I will probably have to give up some of my beloved tropicals and also some of the annuals as we will probably be looking at water rationing. But I enjoyed seeing photos of that beautiful garden! I was going to suggest that you try planting the bulbs of 'Snowflakes' (Leucojum). They are similar to 'Snowdrops' (Galanthus) and do better in warmer areas. I would be happy to send you some bulbs when mine are finished blooming, if you would like. (if it's legal to mail to your area). Just let me know!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been hearing about California's drought. Oh, I hope you get some rain soon! With water rationing, it must be hard to try to garden with limited amount of life-giving water. I do have snowflakes in my garden, and I do love them. They are very reliable, and quite beautiful. I just thought I'd give snowdrops a try, but I doubt I'll ever buy any more. Thanks for the offer of the snowflake bulbs, though. That was very sweet.

      Delete
  12. Sigh. Yes, that is a beautiful garden in May! Your sweet blooms are lovely, too! Thanks for that glimpse of green and colorful growing things.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Holley, the photos of your friend's garden blew me away! The first one with all the different foliage color is just plain gorgeous and I love the two white obelisks. Never seen anything like this, so I wonder if they are custom made? The Peggy Martin rose conquering the arch is also quite a sight. It is lovely if a climbing rose is as full as this one.
    I am still busy pruning the roses and my garden is quite bare in parts. In other parts where I started pruning almost two month ago the roses are leaving out like crazy already. Our unusual warm weather makes everything thrive like on steroids. I guess we will have a very early spring here, if things continue like this. Can't wait for that! Warm regards,
    Christina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I won't start pruning here until mid-February. Not too far away now! Then I can count down the days until I see my first blooms. I'm worried about a late spring, and pruning too soon. (I need a forsythia.) I often think that we have similar climates, until winter. Then I realize how different our climates really are!

      Delete
  14. Very beautiful garden. Especially the roses, so gorgeous. Thanks for sharing beautiful pictures

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed them! I thought it was fun to see them, too.

      Delete
  15. At least you have a bloom here and there. That's a good thing. Your friend's garden is lovely and you saved posting for a good time when not much is going on out there.
    Cher Sunray Gardens

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This winter has been a hard one for many people, and even I have been surprised how little blooms there are in my garden. When I remembered that I hadn't posted her garden photos, I thought it would be a nice contrast to what I see out my windows!

      Delete
  16. What a lovely trip round a beautiful garden on a miserable winter's day. I don't know that Peggy Martin rose. It is lovely for an arch. We have some lovely winter and early spring flowers out here with such a mild winter but I do look forward to summer and roses.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice to hear you're having a mild winter. I am looking forward to having just a little bit warmer weather here so I can get some garden chores done before everything starts blooming out! It won't be long!

      Delete
  17. Holley, your friend's garden is lovely. I love all the different colors. I know spring is on its way. Even though we have had temperatures in the teens last night here in the pineywoods of east Texas, my old fashioned quince is still blooming.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I killed my quince. :( It was hidden behind some other plants and I didn't realize it wasn't getting watered last summer. I still have my fingers crossed, but it's looking less and less like it's going to come back to life!

      Delete
  18. Hi Holly, it’s exactly 31 days till spring. Yeah!
    But for every week that passes, more things is happening in my garden and I love the subtle changes in the winter – like watching snowdrops develop day by day.
    How nice to see your friend’s garden, loved the sculptures and urns, really beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 31 days!!! Wow - when you say it like that, it doesn't seem so far away! And really, it's not - it just feels that way because it's been colder here than in the past few years. I had gotten used to those mild, warm winters!

      Delete
  19. Oh Holley, that rose arbor! Don't you wish you could wander over there anytime you needed a boost? Of course maybe you can. Your friend's garden looks a little like The Secret Garden, what is it Misselwaithe Manor or something like that? Holley, do you know if "Pat Austin" is ever made into a climbing rose like that? I've had it as a hybrid tea and as a tree rose (where it shone!), but it's is getting harder and harder to find--for me anyway.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think I've ever seen Pat as a climber. I do love her, but a lot of people get frustrated waiting for her to grow strong enough to keep her head out of the mud. And DA loves to introduce new roses, so the older roses sometimes get lost in the shuffle. It's not surprising to me that she's getting harder to find. For now, though, she's still available through Chamblee's Rose Nursery (chambleeroses.com). And if I ever see her as a tree rose, I'll scoop her up! I can imagine how lovely that would be!

      Delete
  20. I have a Peggy Martin rose, too, and just love it. But I really love those silver balls. Great idea! I added seashells to my rain garden last fall but hadn't thought about adding them to any pots. Hmmm...!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I loved the addition of the shells in her garden. In those pots, especially paired with the sedum, I thought they were so striking - and a bit romantic, too.

      Delete
  21. It's nice to see some flowers in the dead of winter! It's been bitter cold in WV. Below freezing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was so encouraging for me to see these photos. I had honestly forgotten how colorful spring could get - I think I've been looking at winter's brown and grey colors for too long!

      Delete
  22. Those silver ball stakes are so cool. Your friend has an amazing garden! I love fresh spring green. We have yet to receive any snow at all and it is more like spring than winter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No snow? I'm surprised! Well, cherish those spring-like days - one never knows what the weather will be like next month - or even next week! :O

      Delete
  23. Oh Yes indeed! Spring is just around the corner. Your friend's garden is simply lush...sigh....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm really looking forward to spring, but I know I have some chores to finish before it shows up! I guess I'm really just looking forward to temperatures that are warm enough to go outside and play!

      Delete
  24. Your friend's garden is gorgeous! I want to try to introduce more color to my own garden. Hers is an inspiration! I love the stakes with the silver balls. I keep reminding myself that spring is only 6 weeks away; in fact, I have been saying that for the past several weeks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I keep telling myself that March is now only a month away! It's always a guessing game, though, what February will bring in terms of weather!

      Delete
  25. How wonderful to see your first snowdrop popping up! I hope that in future years you have clumps of them, to help bridge the gap into spring. Your friend clearly has a good eye for combining plants, with or without flowers, great contrasting colours and textures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I hope to have clumps of them eventually, too. They do seem to bloom when everything else is too cold to!

      Delete
  26. I can't believe you've kept your friend's garden hidden for so long Holley - what a delightful place to visit. Plenty of inspiration to be had there.
    Well done on you getting your little snowdrop - tell me how many times a day do you look at it ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. haha - Angie, I do go outside and look at it quite often! ;) I thought I would be able to see it from my window, but it's under a red sage plant, so I have to move the brush back to see it. Well worth it, but hard to take a photo in that position!

      Delete
  27. Hello Holley when we look outside at the moment I hardly can believe that the garden will come back to live again in springtime. Your friends garden is lovely. I wish I had a garden like that.
    Have a wonderful sunday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's hard for me to believe, too, how much the garden changes, and will change over the next month or two! I forget through the winter how different it will look in spring, and how the garden will fill in and the bare spots will again be full.

      Delete
  28. What a delight to see you are getting a snowdrop Holley....that garden is exquisite...such gorgeous color and garden decorations...I love the rose climbing the arch.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was so excited about the snowdrop. I hope it's happy and will return again next year! I loved the climbing roses she had, too. So romantic.

      Delete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...