First of Summer Tour

It has been such a busy year so far, what with one thing or another, that blogging has take a back seat to other things. But here is a quick tour of what is currently happening in the garden. This is the carriage house side garden. The new David Austin roses planted last year along the flowering fence are producing some wonderful rich pick flowers. Looking over the fence to the enclosed garden area. A flowering fence climatis. I've added quite a few foxgloves around the property. These are Dalmatian foxgloves that I'm trying out in the cottage sunny side garden. Love those spots!


Because we had to cut down a big spruce tree that was just about dead next to the driveway, we now have a new bright sunny spot to fill in. I'm trying out some Echinacea, Bee Balm, and Lavender. The front garden is filling in with lots of daisies, foxglove, roses, iris, and delphiniums.
After that little tour around the gardens, a nice cold beer might be nice. We have an extensive wine and beer menu and I just added a couple of new options. We already have a couple other of the Flying Dog beers (from Maryland) and now have Counter Culture and Bloodline Blood Orange Ale. (I have to admit that I got the Bloodline because of the label - that crazy looking Dalmatian - but the sales guy at the distributor said it was one of his favorites!
Also new is the Chimay Rouge a premiere Belgium ale. The Rogue Chocolate Stout was already on our list, and is quite popular. Finally, there is the Wexford Irish Style Creme Ale - light and creamy!

Flowers Abound

We are already deep into our workshop season with the painting and fiber/art quilt workshops, but we still take time to stop and enjoy the flowers that blooming in profusion all over the property.

We had a week of rain followed by a week of bright sunny weather that has really shifted the plants, vines, and trees in to high growing gear.








All that flower admiring is making me hungry! Here is a nice bowl of our house-made granola topped off with lots of fresh fruit that is always available for breakfast. Yum!

Spring is a Time for Change

Spring was a long time coming this year, so when the weather finally started to warm, like many I was struck with the urge to get to the closest nursery to buy some new plants for the garden!

Not planted this spring, but flowering for the first time are the gorgeous Muriel tulips, which my mother (who's name is Muriel) gave me for my birthday.

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We also planted two pear trees in the front lawn. Pear trees are such lovely trees, with their shiny leaves, and if we happen to get some pears to eat, too, so much the better.



The next major change was to the front porch garden. There use to be this big ugly shrub there. It was yanked out and in its place we planted three David Austin roses. The area surrounding the roses will be filled in with more perennials when I decide what they will be.



On the other side of the front porch garden, we planted another rose bush, along with some foxgloves, hollyhock, delphinium, and some "Dalmatian" flowers. Also coming up in this area are more of the Muriel tulips that I planted last Fall.



Mean while in the back yard, the flowering fence is being filled in with sprouting climatis and climbing roses.



The pool is sparkling and ready to be open for Memorial Day.