PLAYING CATCH UP – SPRING GARDEN

OK, OK, I know I have been unbelievably busy… and yes, I must admit, I am slowing down. A lot. SIGH. But I promised several of you pictures from the yard this spring. This has been a very different spring… the winter stretched itself out longer than usual and colder than usual, so that meant camellias that normally bloom in the winter – start in December, actually, were blooming at the same time as the later spring camellias. It made for an exciting spring but a bleak winter. I am used to having fresh flowers on my table just about all winter long. Anyway, here are the plants in the order in which they bloomed. Some of the shots are more to show the size of the bushes than to brag about the beauty of the blooms. And many of the blooms this spring were tinged with just a hint of frost bite – but it took a real close look to notice it.

                         

So there you have it… these were taken one month ago. did I mention I have been busy? OK, next, the azaleas a couple weeks later. Note - PP= Pink Perfection, 2 variations I and II.

the “PINES”

I just feel the need to reminisce… and to share more old pictures of the Pines as we all called the Whispering Pines locally. Most of these shots have been archived by Kirk Mariner, some  are old postcards…

        and this is where I learned to love camellias, especially Pink Perfection. And that began my love of landscaping. I wonder what those old bushes look like today. I wonder if I could get back in there and take some cuttings…….

And the “NEW” part added after the Russell’s sold it. This shoddy workmanship lasted about 10 years before it just rotted in place. It took 50 years for the original buildings to get this bad… 50 years and some hungry termites!

 

And what is left……. the old concrete blocks…

In answer to a few questions I have received, the Pines is about 3 miles from my house. It was an old friend, our 2nd dining room, I can still name the waitresses, and am still friends with one of them!

WINTER? SPRING? SUMMER?

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES! This was taken this time last year... remember what a cold winter we had last year? Record snow fall for the Eastern Shore. Froze our butts off! This year, I am grateful to say, winter passed us by! I know my friends in Vermont are saying the same thing, as some of them spent the winter in tipis while rebuilding their homes, bridges, barns, and shops. Even they have had very little snow and quite mild temps. Our mild temps hit an extreme this past week. It was 83 here on Thursday. Tank top weather! Red Emperor is in full bloom. This bush is over 10 feet tall and has a diameter of 8 feet. It is so loaded with blooms this year. Isn't it beautiful? The daisies have put out their leaves, but they won't bloom until Oct... But the azaleas will bloom soon.Punk could be found sleeping in the morning sun... by afternoon, he was in a shady spot under a bush. Pink Perfection blooms this time of year. Last year we had snow on the camellias, this year the only white on the ground IS the camellias! (or daffodils, or pansies...). I actually cut some grass (and a lot of weeds) this past week. The forsythia is in bloom as are the fruit trees. The peas are up and I have onions up about an inch! How has your winter been?