Ah the colors of fall!
-View from the upper veranda… Entwined Gardens.
Have a great Wednesday! Jayme B.
Tag Archives: color
Grady Garden – A beautifully woven horticultural textile retreat…
Under the high shade of these tall pines, is the relaxing garden of Pat & Perry Grady.
I love to visit a garden and sit in the chairs or benches along the way… to pause and take in the views. There is usually a reason a bench or chair has been placed in a particular spot… if for no other reason than to just contemplate what goes into a garden, or an EntwinedLife.
The Grady Garden has many charming places to sit, if only for just a minute or two… to notice the rather steep grade, listen to birds, then quiet; enjoy the majesty of the tall trees – the rustle of wind, juxtaposed to the interesting textures on the ground. Then the eye catches a glimpse of color off in the distance which beckons on to explore the next visual delight to explore. A beautifully woven horticultural textile retreat high above the stress of the hectic world.
But don’t be fooled… from my observations this is a tough challenging location… the shade, the heavy mesh of tree roots unseen which will greedily suck up the water needed to establish any new plant additions… let alone the fortitude and strength it takes be able to dig a hole though the tangle, worthy for any new plant addition! (especially at today’s dear prices) and hope for its survival. Another challenge is defining paths – there is quite an elevation change both front and back, and the constant maintenance to tidy the leaves and pine needles before the signs are put up and visitors welcomed – is a task of patience only Zen Master gardener will rise above. Yet, this all looks so easy woven together.
We honor you dear gardeners for sharing your private spaces with us!
Pat, how long have you been gardening at this location?
29 years
What is the first thing you added, removed or changed in this garden?
Added shrubs and took out a few trees
Do you collect plants and if so what?
Anything for shade
Any favorite garden tools?
Rake
How much time do you spend working in your garden?
About 6 hours a day
What is your mulch preference?
Pine bark and pine straw
Anything new added to your garden?
Arbor in back yard
What is your first memory in a garden?
Living on the farm and having a row of zinnias and gladioli planted in my mom’s vegetable garden
What is it that got you started gardening?
Being outside
Where do you go for inspiration?
Just take a walk in garden and visit other gardens
Do you have a favorite Garden you’ve visited?
Do you have a favorite Garden Magazine?
Carolina Gardner
Who is your Horticultural Hero? Or Garden mentor?
Ann Clapp
Describe where you most often sit in your garden or looking out at your garden
Front porch
If money were no object what would you add or do differently?
More gardens and paths
Do you have garden wisdom’ to share?
Just work and enjoy
Pat & Perry Grady look forward to seeing you during ‘Open Days Tour’… You’re more than welcome to try out all the chairs and benches and relax.
Enjoy – living the EntwinedLife
Jayme B
NC Certified Environmental Educator
Garden Conservancy Regional Representative
JC Raulston Arboretum Volunteer
Gifts for Gardeners
Several years ago I was having a conversation with an actress between takes. She said she had an agreement with her husband regarding categories of gifts – they must be either – Shiny, furry or involve real estate.
No electrical cords allowed! Continue reading
Horticultural Test of Time for the Holidays
So the true test…
Could I remember how to successfully use an O’dapter, a month later to create a botanical whimsy for the holidays?
See the results and “How To”… Continue reading
Get thee to the garden… and bring your pruners!
O.K. I know it’s cold out there for most of you. But now is the time to get thee to the garden and bring your pruners.
On your way to the mailbox or walking Fido, take a few snips – your neighbors won’t mind. Continue reading
Step away from the glitter….
Often there comes a time… when you just have to step away…
For the past 3 years every holiday we celebrated was in a nursing home; many of our family traditions had to be put aside.
Although wonderful to be spending it together, it was never private; visits seemed far too short or confined.
There is only so much decorating one can do in a shared room with limited space.
But there was nothing like the smile on my Mom’s face when the new Seasonal wreath appeared for her door, or a tiny Christmas tree which I decorated in all of her favorite colors was revealed!
Color co-ordination – pleasing to Mom!
The tiny tree was a gift from my friend Barbara – who’s husband had died. Barbara understands the kindness of little things to delight, and the space restraints in these times of transition. Continue reading
Bloom Day continued…
Let’s continue our walk around the Entwined Gardens to see what is in bloom.
Gaillardia aestivalis var. winkleri ‘Grape Sensation’
Purple Texas Firewheel
In its third year in the garden, it has increased to make a nice drift. This was acquired from the JC Raulston Arboretum annual plant distribution a few years ago… they are correct when they say ” Membership has privileges.”
Not only do members get cool free plants, they also have access to all the wonderful lectures from some of the top horticulturists in the nation – online.
Hedychium – Ginger Lily
This one is so fragrant, one bloom will fill the house. It should have been finished long ago…. but I am happy to find it! This was a division shared when a group of Master Garden Volunteers were working on a installing “The Water Wise Demonstration Garden” at Lake Crabtree Park about 12 years ago.
Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Endless Summer’
Because we had a lot of rain this summer – it was the best year we’ve has for Hydrangea. The bushes were loaded with blooms. I have had about 1 giant bloom a week for the last month!
Nicotiana tabacum, N. alata
Flowering Tabbacco
Just one little clump still blooming… charming little stars & still fragrant.
Prunus laurocerasus ‘Otto Luyken’
Otto Luyken English Laurel
This is a plant that I’ve been adding around for the dwarf size of 4′ x 4′ is great.
I love the blue glossy elongated leaves, and the overall vase shape. Not a lot of pruning required. The only drawback is that they do catch leaves, so every so often must give it a shake which counts as aerobic exercise. A friend just gave me three more… am I feeling lucky or what?
Rosa ‘Don Juan’
This beautiful climber scambles up the stone wall on the front of the house.
Rosa ‘Radrazz’ PP#11836
Double Knock Out.
I also have yellow, and a single light pink in bloom.
Rudbeckia hirta
Black Eyed Susan
Another last Hurrah… but charming and delightful nestled into an Abelia. Perhaps that’s why they are there, the deer haven’t found them.
Salvia microphylla ‘San Carlos Festival’
San Carlos Festival Sage
This one keeps on going & going… a great hummingbird attractor during the season. Starts blooming in May and still going strong!
There are also some surprise blooms of Serrissa and Spirea ‘Ogon’ so diminutive but so delightful, but didn’t have a maco lens for my camera to do them justice.
Verbena
This charming little Verbena by Proven Winners… just love the shades of peach… is still hanging on in a container…
I hope you enjoyed the this little Garden Bloggers Bloom Day stroll.
Taking the time to walk around the garden with my camera, always provides me with ideas for improving or editing the garden.
Enjoy – living the EntwinedLife
Jayme B
Bloom Day
What a wonderful reason to get into the garden see what’s going on…
A Garden Blogger Challenge to document, what is in bloom the 15th of every month… Continue reading
Garden Tours – A private peek into Personal Paradise
It’s too darn HOT.
Two years ago, at this time, we were toiling through the southern summer to ready Entwined Gardens for the September Raleigh Area Garden Conservancy ‘Open Days’ Tour 2010.
I think of the garden as a work in progress, so that year when folks asked, ”Are you ready for the ‘Open Days Tour’”, my comment was, “Is anyone ever ready?”
Looking South @ Entwined Garden
There is no amount of primping, editing or fluffing to get ready. There are the endless lists of projects one is motivated to have “ready for The Tour” – which is a wonderful motivator to bring the garden to a new level. Inviting unknown visitors from a national tour to a private peek into your personal paradise can be quite unnerving.
I had always planned in my mind that the last few weeks would be the time to make clever additions so that anywhere the eye travels would be perfection… “A fluffy, spiky & roundy” for pleasing balance, a nice piece of artwork for the eye to land, and great for photography.
Alas, a month before the tour, the domino effect of the economic crisis crashed down on the computer industry . All around divisions of many – up to now successful companies jockeying for IPO’s – were suddenly wiped out, including one my husband worked for. The dream of garden perfection… disappeared into a new reality as we tightened our belts for the long haul of uncertain economic times.
Enshalla – breathe, let it go, offer it up to a higher power… breathe again.
Ours was a fortunate reality… I was lucky – to have so many wonderful friends lend a hand to help in a summer of intense heat & drought.
Mitzi’s Banana adds color and punctuation!heat & drought. !
Then it seemed like Miracles began happening… My friend Mitzi who is an incredible plants woman would call & say, “ I just stopped by Campbell Road Nursery and they are giving plants away. The have huge tropicals – Bananas and Elephant ears are marked down to a Dollar each!” The next morning the Garden of Eden arrived in the back of a Prius! We walked around and added appropriate interest & it worked! I was grateful and wrote notes to the nurseries whose end of year sales had helped – the norm for them end of the year, but to me it was a lifesaver. This was after all a fundraiser for the national Garden Conservancy and the JC Raulston Arboretum – and if folks were going to drive 45 minutes or more to visit, I did not want to disappoint!
Throughout the week leading up to the weekend tour, friends – The Border Babes – arrived to lend a hand, and deliver all kinds of enhancements and moral support and hugs… it was unbelievable.
Two days before the tour, another friend who was new to gardening, asked if she could come & learn. I said “Sure!” Diana saw some of the “art” I had collected from Home Goods as placeholders for the Dream Art. Aware of my now fading dream, Diana said, “I have some things that might work. I’ll be back in about an Hour…” She came back, another Prius – loaded with the most beautiful statues, from Artist – Frances Alverino .
I was hoping to acquire an Alverino as a gift for my Husband’s Sept. Birthday and to celebrate the Tour. Diana had 6 of these sculptures for me to borrow. Talk about letting go and the higher power provides!!! Our garden was beyond what I dreamed for the Days of the Tour!
It is a delight that this year I can stay perched inside enjoying the gardens with the miracle of central air. From the House, one cannot see any weeding to be done… not that there isn’t any mind you… just pure enjoyment of colors and textures.
Sweet sweeter for a baby using Bear Hugs.
So will take advantage of the joys of cental air and KNIT!
Yes, all a part of our Entwined Life!
Found a delightful soft baby sweater, elegant soft and couldn’t resist it at one of the local yarn shops. It comes with enough for an infant kimono sweater, includes instructions and 2 cute bear buttons. How easy! I had enough yarn left to make a little hat too!
The Yarn is by Plymouth – Bear Hugs.
Cute as a Button!
So I will relax with my yarn and my thoughts of my wonderful friends and their bear hugs of generosity and how being grateful does make a difference.
My thoughts are also with the generous hosts who are this year prepping their landscape art for this years’ tour… what a gift to be inspired by these great gardens large or small… each grateful for the friends that lend a hand, give a hug, each Gardener’s own vision of Paradise created.
Maynard Garden Pagoda
This richly layered garden paradise’s pagoda beckons visitors to sit and contemplate the view at the Maynard Garden Open Days Tour 2012
Come join us in Raleigh September 15 & 16!
Garden Conservancy ‘Open Days’ Tour
Joy!
Jayme B
EntwinedLife 