Hollyhock Heaven

My dad and I buy a lot from Bluestone Perennials.  This year he bought several Hollyhock's. They are all healthy and  Let me tell you.....the selection offered this year was awesome!!!  

 

Fiesta Time Hollyhock is a one woman party.  I am in love with this bloom!
 

 

Spring Celebrities Lemon was also a knock out this Spring.  Like powder puffs on a velvety green stem...

 

 

There were two other varieties he ordered Spring Celebrities Carmine and Spring Celebrities Crimson.  These were budalicious and hopefully the deer will not nibble before we can experience the blooms.  Gardening is so good for the mind, body and spirit!!!

BRIGHT FARMS CROWD FUNDING UPDATE

I consider myself an up front kind of person, a woman on a mission of finding all things beautiful and promoting eco- friendly/sustainable living.  I am excited about the possibilities of Ward 8 getting something positive in it's midst.  Especially something that speaks to the healthy eating and wellness of this under served community.  I am so excited that when I got news of a change in the crowd funding of the Bright Farms/Ward 8/Giant food Greenhouse project, I was completely taken aback.

According to the email I received, the crowdfunding effort has been discontinued.  Any and all monies received will be returned.  The good thing is that the project will still move forward and the funding is in place.

I guess I will not get my supporter kit :( and the party might not happen....................BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY......

THE BRIGHT FARMS GREENHOUSE PROJECT IN WARD 8 IS STILL HAPPENING!!!

Bright Farms,

The residents of Ward 8 are excited about this and look forward to the opportunities that will prove to be fruitful from this venture.  I am looking forward to this innovative idea that will provide resources right here in the Nation's Capital to a community that needs this uplifting project.  We will be keeping our fingers crossed as we watch this project unfold!!

Keeping thoughts of Green and Growing Things...........and of course all things beautiful.  Which Bright Farms...............THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL THING!!!

Silent Saturday

Ward 8, Giant Food and Bright Farms............YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN!!

Once again this week, I was delighted to read an article that was focused on something positive happening Washington, DC - particularly Ward 8.  I am a native Washingtonian and grew up in Riggs Park, Eastern Avenue to be exact.  It was a different Washington, DC back then.  We walked to school, we went outside and played in our yard and my Mom was a homemaker.  My siblings and I grew up eating food from the local Giant Food Store.  Summer morning's we were awakened by the smell of fresh cantaloupe, honeydew or watermelon waiting for us in the kitchen as a preamble to a hearty hot breakfast.  Yes, those were the days when there were not a lot of chemicals to concern ourselves with as we devoured fresh food prepared daily from my stay at home mom.

OK - REALITY CHECK.  Those days are for the most part over.  With daily talk of knowing where your food is coming from, GMO's, glysophosphate and other nasty chemicals permeating the soil, tainting our food and causing rare illnesses, I long for those days once again.  When my daughters were growing up in Fredericksburg, Virginia, I either grew our produce or went to the market.  I was also a founding farmer for one of the transitionally organic CSA's in Stafford County at the Eitt Farm.  We ate good, we ate fresh and we knew where our food came from, how it was grown....usually knew or became friends with the farmers at the market and I felt good about what was I was feeding my family.  We tried different vegetables that we had never tried before and my daughters loved the experience.  My daughters know the hard work that goes into growing and harvesting good, healthy, organic food.  Quite honestly, every child should experience growing and harvesting their own food or at least know how it is done in today's world........especially the under served people in Ward 8 in Washington, DC.

I grew up knowing Ward 8 as that area of DC that you just did not go into.  It just was not safe and was always on the news.  This time however, I am ecstatic to report that something great and positive and wonderful is about to happen in Ward 8 and should make the news as well.  The Anacostia Economic Development Corporation, Bright Farms and Giant Food have entered into an agreement for Giant Food to be the exclusive resource of year round local produce grown locally.  According to Mr Paul Lightfoot,  Bright Farms is in the process of Crowdfunding  the World's most Productive and Largest Urban Farm....in our very own Ward 8....imagine that???

Bright Farms is not new to this type of adventure.  As we focus more and more on the renewal energy industry, Bright Farms business model has been proven to be successful.  Currently many grocery stores in Bucks County, Pennsylvania are enjoying the benefits of year round fresh produce grown locally due to the efforts and vision of Mr. Lightfoot and the Bright Farms Team.   I listened to Mr Lightfoot recently on a Ted Talk where he spoke about his mission of growing and delivering the freshest food possible.  Simple mission of growing it as locally as possible and delivering it as fresh as possible within hours of harvesting, all while watching his environmental footprint. This is just a good idea  on so many levels. Bringing such a facility to Ward 8 will aid in permanent green jobs with benefits, including health care, will educate the surrounding community on the benefits of knowing where your food comes from, will connect the food producers to the community and give this under served community a sense that someone cares...an Uplifting or Revival of Spirit, so to speak.

With 55 days left, Indiegogo and Bright Farms has a crowd funding event happening right now that you can participate in - even if you do not live in the DMV.  If you visit www.Indiegogo.com, you will find more  information and the options on how to donate to this  more than worthwhile effort. This 100,000 square foot facility will do such great things for the community that surrounds it.  All of the ground work is taking place now, permits are being issued, final architectural plans and last but not least - the financing needs to be secured.

From $5.00 on up, Indiegogo has a great selection of items in return for your donation to make this a reality. I personally am donating to receive not just a warm fuzzy feeling that I am helping to build a better Ward 8, but for the invitation to the party (there will be a party for sure) a complete supporter kit including a tote, a water bottle, tee shirt, and hydroponic starter kit.

I want to say THANK YOU AEDC, Bright Farms and Giant Food for realizing that giving back to the community can help build a community and there is nothing better than a healthy community.  I would  love to just shake your hand Mr. Lightfoot for having the vision and the experience of what it takes to bring fresh ideas as well as jobs and produce to this under served community.....perhaps on opening day for a tour or at the party???

Please visit www.indiegogo.com, search under FOOD and look for Help build a hydroponic greenhouse farm in our Nations Capital.


As Washingtonians have heard many times over the years.....

THAT'S MY GIANT!!!

Brookgreen Gardens.....................I do so miss you............

For those of you who know me, I am all about all things beautiful and I seek the beauty in all things.  On a recent visit to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, I did not have to go far to find one of the most beautiful gardens I have ever visited.....Brookgreen Gardens.

Located in the Low Country of South Carolina, across the street from Atalaya, which is on the grounds of Huntington Beach State Park, Brookgreen Gardens should be on every gardeners bucket list or vision board.  My journey to Brookgreen took me a mere thirty minutes from Myrtle Beach.  I had hoped to also visit Atalaya on the same trip, but had no idea of what was in store for me at Brookgreen Gardens.

Archer M. and Anna Hyatt Huntington created this naturalistic oasis of beauty out of their love for each other and their love of nature..  Mr. Archer Huntington was a man who never really had to worry about money, a wealthy industrialist/philanthropist and a scholar.  Mrs. Anna Huntington was a respected artist and sculptor. One of the most awesome things about this couple is that they did not have a formal college education.  Both of these fine people were either privately tutored or self taught.....simply amazing.  To see what they have created should inspire anyone to just DO what you are inspired to do.

The Huntington's bought four rice plantations in what is now known as Murrells Inlet, Georgetown County, South Carolina, bordering the banks of the Waccamaw River.  The thought process was to settle in an area that would help Anna's Tuberculosis, a warmer winter climate during the winter months (they lived in New York and Connecticut), provide a place where she could work as an artist and exhibit her art as well.  They built Atalaya, which they considered their Winter home.  Across the road they developed Brookgreen Gardens.  In doing so, they were responsible for opening America's first public outdoor sculpture garden.  Oh what a garden it is!!!  You can find out more about the Huntington's and their vision at www.brookgreen.org ...however...I need to share a little about the gardens.........those glorious gardens.....the gardens that pop up in my mind at random times throughout the day.

If you are an art lover, then imagine seeing a life size statue of Homer....

Diana of the Chase.....................

or

The Fountain of The Muses.........................

all in one place,each  surrounded by amazing floral combinations, water features and dragonfly's.  Oh the dragonflies were in such abundance.  Each time I paused....this garden does make one pause often and repeatedly....a dragon fly would make it's presence known. Resting on my shoulder, my shoes, my camera, as well as the art in the garden.  This garden with all of it's sculptures and vignettes was truly a garden filled with love and life.

I will not spoil it for you, as this is a garden that must be seen and appreciated individually, but a few things jumped out at me, causing me to anticipate my next visit.  I love texture. I love to see textures mixed and in abundance.  There are a few spaces where the textural tapestry of green just makes you gasp in amazement.

There were some vignettes that spoke to texture with minimal bright colors.  The cool greens allowed your eye to rest, even though the sculptures within the garden, would catch your eye and allow one to mentally look at the vignette as a picture within a bigger picture.  The dappled light of certain areas would make something so ordinary, like a little bloom, moss  hanging from the branches above or hydrangeas embracing a borrowed view "POP" right before your eyes. 

The sounds..................oh the sounds of nature - not cars, buses or emergency vehicles....just nature.  The buzzing in my ear from the wings of the dragon flies, the sounds of baby birds, the many fountains/water features and on this particular day, the sound of rain.  The rain steadily, but gently dancing on the leaves, in the ponds, on the sculptures and on the pathways was like an outdoor symphony, quietly in 3D.  I almost got soaked, but I did not care, because I was mentally immersed in all that Brookgreen had to offer me at that moment.  Entering this garden was like entering a dream on a hot summers day in the south, complete with mature alleys of Live Oaks that once led to the Big House (as the slaves would call it) which Mrs. Huntington used as a central point of the garden design, which on paper resembled the shape of a butterfly, with opened wings. I know...simply amazing.  The Huntington's were on a mission to surround themselves with all things beautiful, while appreciating and preserving nature, yet capturing and exhibiting the essence of Mrs. Huntington's work.  I get emotional when I think of the discussions they might have had as they walked among the naturalistic landscape at various times of the year to really create their version of beauty. 

The garden rooms.  Oh the different garden rooms with an abundance of horticultural delights. from the Climbing Lillies to the Cleome, from the Hosta's to the Heuchera, from the Native Pines to the Crepe Myrtles....and of course, I always have a favorite.   The Poetry Room.....

There is no way to enjoy all  of Brookgreen Gardens in one day,  Far too much is offered not just for the gardener, but for children ( the Low Country Zoo Discover Room and Enchanted Storybook Forest), butterfly enthusiasts, Cypress Aviary, Plantation History and Nature Tour,  boat cruises, a beautiful collection of Long Needle Pines, a fantabulous gift shop and The Poetry Garden Room.... and there is so much more!!!  For the cost of the ticket, a mere $14.00, one can visit and re-visit for 7 consecutive days.  No wonder Brookgreen Gardens is considered a National Historic Landmark and one of the top 10 public gardens in the United States..  Now to wait til Christmas, when I hope to return and spend more time and perhaps visit Atalaya and Huntington beach as well....

I wish horses could fly....

`

so I could be strolling through Brookgreen Gardens right now.........

What exactly is The Garden Coalition?

The Garden Coalition is a coalition of like minded people who are like minded and interested in community beautification efforts, garden related travel and garden related programming in the District Heights, Capitol Heights and surrounding area.  This area is under served as it pertains to beautification efforts, educating community members and garden club type activities.  To participate and take ownership of certain areas of the Communities mentioned, it will bring to life and change the outside perception of how we feel about our surroundings.

What have we done so far this year??  Well, we gathered a few of our friends, family, a few strangers, a celebrity and the District Heights Community Garden participants and went to the Philadelphia Flower Show.  A good time was had by at the show and on the bus.  Our raffle winners won a trio of ceramic pots, an expandable rake and some pretty cool garden markers.

Our celebrity, Mr. Nikita Floyd aka Nature Boy,  WOL 1450 Newstalk Radio kept the humor going as well as answered a few questions on the bus to captivate our attention.  Mr. Floyd also shared his shopping adventure with us as our day ended.

I represented The Garden Coalition as the Capitol Heights Community Garden welcomed Spring.  I spoke on Garden Basics and shared a few hints and tips with the gardening community. What a wonderful morning that was.  To share my love of gardening and spark a conversation on how and why we garden was such a treat.  The participants thoroughly enjoyed this demonstration and discussion.One man was very specific in what he wanted to grow, another guest was certainly a seasoned gardener and one guest was simply not into bugs as part of the garden.  A wonderful mix of participants but they all left with a smile.

We hosted our first in a series of Garden Conversations.  Our featured guests were:

Kathy Jentz, Washington Gardener Magazine and local Garden Guru.  Ms. Jentz spoke on Deer and other Critters in the Garden.  What awesome info she shared on this topic....lots of things we did not know. We certainly hope to have her back one day soon!

Mrs. Deborah Weller from the Department of Environmental Resources, Community Outreach Program.  Mrs. Weller informed us of several programs that are offered through Prince Georges County from Tree Releaf to Permeable Pavers.  I am observing as one of my neighbors is currently having this system installed as a driveway.  How exciting!!  We are continuing the conversation with Mrs. Weller to revisit with us and    guide us as fall is tree planting season....and we do have some ideas!

Mr. Nikita Floyd (Nature Boy, WOL 1450 Talk Radio) spoke to us on lawn care and fertilization. We found his discussion informative and humorous as well.  I look forward to him interacting with us in our community on some level.

Our latest accomplishment was the installation of plant material to show that we care about the appearance of OUR Municipal Center in District Heights.  We wanted to bring life and color to the forefront by way of a xeric planting.  This would not only bring the bees and butterfly's, but educate community members on how using some native plant material along with basic shrubbery and annuals can be beautiful and welcoming!

We are just gearing up, growing and welcoming new friends and neighbors.  We generally meet the second Monday of the month, 7:00 PM in the Computer Lab at the Municipal Center.  Come on by and check us out.   We would love to outgrow our meeting space, take ownership in certain beautification efforts and make the corridors leading to the City of District Heights City BEAUTIFUL!!

Mr. Pearl's Wisdom....From The Bottom Up

I love being able to make my dreams a reality.  One of the drams I had was to just touch the hands of Mr. Pearl Fryar...so I made it happen.   Who is Mr. Pearl Fryar and why would this be so important to me?  Allow me to share.

While visiting my daughter in New York, she spoke of my love of gardening to an artist friend of hers.  I was asked if I had seen the video about Mr. Pearl Fryar and his topiary garden.  This caught my attention and I wrote it down to make certain that I followed up on this Mr. Fryar and his garden.  I bought the video and my Dad and I watched it together.  I was amazed, enchanted and knew at that point I was going to have to meet this Mr. Pearl Fryar.

I had the opportunity to go down to Bishopville, South Carolina and seize a few moments with this man whose hand I felt I had to touch.  The hands of a creative gardener, like myself, who had mastered the art of topiary, like Mr. Harvey Ladew - only in my lifetime - with no prior experience.  Mr. Fryar was an educated man, but a simple gardener who won Yard of the Month by the local garden club in 1985.  Who knew that it would urge him on to create the masterpieces that are in his yard today.  In 2006 the video "A Man Called Pearl" was produced and from there friends (organized forming Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden, Inc.), interested people and even the Garden Conservancy are pitching in and helping keep Mr. Fryar's vision alive.  As his schedule allows, Mr. Fryar greets visitors from all around this country and even some from around the world.  Imagine all from a Garden of The Month Awardee!!!

I had to ask Mr. Fryar if he had words to share with me.  He shared that at one time he was punished because he wanted to do interesting things with plants as a child.  It was as if he was denied the opportunity to tap into his inner creative self. Fast forward to when he was in his forties....he built his house, planted shrubs and trees of all kinds and treated them in a way that even today perplexes horticulturalists.  Mr.Fryar believes that if we teach kids from the bottom up, they will release a lot of creativity that is missed as we continue to teach from the top down.  Training to learn from a book, we are then book taught with no real experience...just following the leader, so to speak.  From the bottom up, we learn as a seed learns from a mere seed in the ground to a seedling to a plant.  This message makes simple sense to me.

Here are some examples of Mr. Fryar's hands on work....

One of Mr. Pearl Fryar's proudest accomplishment's is how he could create a topiary from a Live Oak.  As he says, this has stymied the experts.  He just might share how this can be done as he writes his book.  I personally cannot wait to read it.  Even after meeting and touching this true man of the earth, I am even more so amazed and impressed by his talent.

At this time, Mr. Pearl Fryar has a part time helper who he is training in the art of Topiary, five days a week, a few hours a day.  While this is appreciated help, it will take a team of creative artisans to maintain the work that one man started over forty years ago.  Age and time has a way of stealing some of the greatest talent and lesser known secrets on this earth.  It would be a shame to not go see this Artisan, Gardener and Knowledgeable Man of the Earth...to touch his hand, hear words of his wisdom and allow the sense of peace to touch your heart and soul.

Take a moment to visit Mr. Pearl Fryar, watch the video or contribute:
www.pearlfryar.com
www.gardenconservancy.org
info@pearlfryar.com

Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden
PO Box 1111
Bishopville, SC  29010

Trust me, you will be glad you did.....I am!!

Taking care of the Temple and Cultivating a New Approach.......

I have come to the conclusion that it is time to take it a bit easier on my Temple.  As a gardener, I can do it ALL.  Sling mulch bags, till new beds, rake all the leaves from my yard and my friends yards, and then put them in the new compost area, flip the older compost, plant new additions to any garden with lightening speed, etc.  As a Gardener, I am invincible....or at least I was last year.  This year, I have certainly noticed a difference and am ready to adapt new policies and procedures as it pertains to gardening.

Yep this is hard for me to accept.  I am a go getter and have always been this type of person - since childhood.  I always appreciated a helping hand but then did it myself anyway.  That is the Speight in me - a touch of stubborn, hard working and can do it all....or at least I could at one time.  I get this honestly of course, my Great Great Grandmother helped lay bricks for the Church...and I hear she was not a bystander serving lemonade....she actually helped lay bricks for St. Johns Holiness Church in Snow Hill, North Carolina.  Big Momma was a farmer and helped her husband, John Henry in the daily operations of the land they lived on.  I love hearing my Dad share stories about his adventures with Big Momma and Grandpa and how sad he was to leave the farm as his parents migrated up North.  As we know, back then, people did what they had to do - including leaving the familiar - to feed their families and make ends meet.  With 11 children to feed, my grandparents came to DC and created a better life for themselves and their children, starting on M Street in Georgetown and ending up on Capitol Hill.  Big Momma and Grandpa kept my dad until his parents settled in and then they came right back to get him.  They wanted all of their children with them as they started their new life.  What a journey that had to have been.  They also appreciated the help - but then did it themselves anyway.......I believe I get this can do mentality and touch of stubbornness honestly.

This garden season, those 2 cubic mulch bags seemed a bit heavier than usual - even when they are bone dry.....this was my first sign.  The unfamiliar feeling in my knees and the subtle aching in my lower back was the sure fire sign I needed to come to the reality that "things are a changin"....(in my best southern accent).  My private denial was getting the best of me when I caught myself paying attention to other gardeners that I collaborate with.  "Girl you better be careful lifting all that mulch" or  " All that stooping and weeding ...doesn't that hurt your back? Girl, you better slow down....."  I had to quietly admit, that perhaps they were right. Why even at the last Master Gardener meeting, the Coordinator mentioned a handout on proper gardening techniques for aging gardeners, I caught myself thinking "send her an email first thing tomorrow morning....". I cannot believe that I am admitting this - but tis true......I am an AG - Aging Gardener....UGH!!!

I recently read an article in Great Garden Design "A Lifetime of Lessons" by Daryl Beyers.  Mr. Beyer interviewed Sydney Eddison.  Her garden evolved from intense plantings that required a considerable amount of maintenance to adding shrubs.  The shrubs were allowed to mature amongst the perennials and add a sense of low maintenance maturity to her landscape.  Mrs. Eddison is an AG.  Her gardens are simply beautiful, age appropriately planted and maintained. 

Whether I want to accept it or not is not the question.  The question is How do I better take care of the Temple as I continue down this new path?  I know I will not give up, that is for sure.  I will educate myself on how to best preserve The Temple so that I can continue creating the beauty that I need to surround me and others who appreciate it.  I also purchased a book entitled "Stand Up and Garden: The No Digging, No Tilling, No Stooping Approach To Growing Vegetables and Herbs" by Mary Moss-Sprague.  I cannot wait to use this information as I rework my shade garden and install the pond. While I know that there will be minimally a few times that I must bend, stoop and perhaps till a few times as I perform these new projects, I will keep in the back of my mind my new found status - Teresa Speight, AG

Time for garden tours and imagining....

Saturday I had the pleasure of participating in the Georgetown Garden Tour. 

Although it rained a tad off and on, it was still a terrific terrific day!  The day started out at the Silver Spring Garden Club plant sale. As a member, I volunteered and was tasked with selling raffle tickets to the people who came to shop.  Well I did sell a few tickets, but honestly, the joy was just being there with like minded people.  Not only did I meet new gardening friends, but I won an awesomely lush hanging plant, purchased waaaaaay too many plants for my garden this year, but I also got enough plants to donate to the District Heights Community Garden, on behalf of The Garden Coalition. I believe in giving back to my Community, so I will.

The second part of this truly awesome day was spent in Georgetown at the Georgetown Garden Tour.   If you love manicured boxwood, splashes of color and awesome ideas of what to do in your personal space, this was a tour not to be missed.  I think one of my favorite vignettes was a collection of ferns in an exposed area under a stairway..

.or was it the playhouse under the perfect Magnolia tree....

or was it the mirror giving depth to the pond beneath it, giving the illusion of the garden being bigger....

.or was it the awesome vegetable garden?  

Well, I think Washington Gardener's Owner Kathy Jentz was even thrilled about this garden...

I think that the perfect way to end the tour was chatting it up with Sharon, who sat in the rain looking gorgeous and as we thanked her for allowing us to be a part of her day, she thanked us as well!

As you can tell, I am torn about which was the best one....however after the Capitol Hill Garden Tour on Sunday,  I might be able to decide if I have seen the garden of my dreams for THIS year.....unless it is in my own back yard...I hope you enjoyed this Mother's Day Sunday as much as I did.  More importantly, I hope you got outside to enjoy the gardens and all the beauty that surrounds you....

Lily of the Valley - You Can Grow That

Convallaria majalis, more commonly known as Lilly of the Valley, is one of those no fail, easy to grow perennials. Sold by the bag in the form of pips or in pots, this plant says sweet simplicity in its stature and scent.  Found in the northern hemisphere of this continent (zones 2 - 7) this British plan is normally about 6 - 8 inches all.  The roots form a fibrous mass of rhizomes that can, in the right setting, take over. Sun, sun/part shade to dappled shade, damp, rich, somewhat well draining soil, will quickly allow this plant to set up camp - even in less than perfect conditions. Imagine a hillside in fragrant bloom, under the dappled shade of mature trees...

Grown in a container by the door, Lilly of the Valley will provide a sweet fragrance that is easily carried by gentle breezes and are perfect cut flowers for bringing indoors or for sharing with a neighbor.  Late spring bell shaped, scalloped edge blooms have been found to be rabbit and deer resistant.  Sometimes these pants are prone to anthracnose, but if spotting occurs on the leave, cut them off immediately and discard (do not compost diseased foliage)Rosea is a blush pink blooming cultivar and a larger more stately cultivar is Fortinis Giant, growing 10 - 12 inches.

Old English folklore states that Saint Leonard battled a huge dragon and was sorely injured.  After slaying the dragon, everywhere Saint Leonard's blood fell, Lillie's of the Valley sprang from the soil.To this day, Saint Leonard's Forest in England is thickly carpeted with Lilly of the Valley.

Pot or Pip, white or pink, sort or tall... Lilly of the Valley.....You Can Grow That!

Nature is a buzzin.....

I am in the middle of cleaning a client yard and something made me pause.  A bee was buzzing around hunting, searching for the right spot, the right moment to burrow into the ground.  What captured my attention was the speed of its wings.  The bees wings caused the soul and mulch remnants I was retrieving, to move in a circular fashion.  Amazing......... sometimes when in the garden, take a moment to pause and pay homage to nature and all things beautiful.....especially the bees......

Look closely and you can see this bee's success....

Memories of Spring.........

Well, winter has finally gone.  If you are like me, I was beginning to wonder if I would ever be able to start my Spring clean up before to got too hot.  If I would be able to enjoy watching my hostas rise above the soil like torpedo's or watch the peonies go from tiny red points at soil level to tall burnished red stems of potential fantabulous blooms.  I wondered if Winter would ever give us a break.  Well it finally happened and we have had some awesome weather the past few days.  I finally put the winter coat away and started moving things from indoors to the greenhouse, started getting my shipments from Bluestone Perennials, finally started back walking through my garden in the morning before work, to stay on top of issues that might arise and to just enjoy the beauty that surrounds me.  It is finally Spring at the Cottage In The Court.

I am slowing it down a little this year, so I can actually stop and smell the roses in my own back yard.  I am installing a pond to create an environment to pause and just breathe.  Not that I can't pause the way it it now, I just want that added feature to invoke another place to commune with nature in my own back yard.  I have been busy with off-site projects for the past few years and have missed my own garden and the joy that it brings, as well as the memories. One of the memories is what I call Lexi's Walk.

My niece, Lexi Speight lost her battle with a rare cancer at 8 years old.  The year Lexi left us, I bought some daffodils from the American Cancer Society. Daffodils were in a picture that Lexi and her sister Samantha had shared with me in the past.  I have always loved daffodils as they increase year after year...(like Love)...which makes me love them more and more.  I planted these three years ago in honor of Lexi and this year they are blooming like crazy.  It reminds me of the Love we have for Lexi and her spirit of happiness as her memory graces my garden and at this time every Spring.  I could not have thought of a better way to honor Lexi than with a walk of her own accented by a Yoshino Cherry, native Redbud and Red Camellia's..

I also noticed how the Camellia's were blooming in abundance this year.  Not as big as in years past..... however our drought last year could have had an impact on them.  I will feed them coffee grounds and irrigate them this year. Most importantly, they survived the vortex's of this past winter.....WHEW!!

Spring is in the air and in my garden with the perennial memories that I anticipate every year - the hellebore's, the epimedium, the muscari, the peonies, the Hakone grass (the wild onions...ugh) and the anticipation of what  summer will bring!!!

Enjoy Spring as it will merely be a memory sooner than we think!!!