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Meadowlark Botanical Gardens - Captivating views
In late afternoon on the last, very full, day of the 2017 Garden Bloggers' Fling, we arrived at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. We were scheduled to attend a dinner in the garden's Atrium at 6pm, which...
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July Favorites
I'm still in my summer doldrums, where it's hard to see my garden's pluses. The sun's glare shines a spotlight on its imperfections and, despite all the mulch and soil amendments I've added, my sandy...
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In a Vase on Monday: 'Loverboy' strays...
Last week we saw Dahlia 'Loverboy' married off to lovely blue Eustoma grandiflorum; however, this week finds 'Loverboy' on the prowl for a new companion. Funny, but Annette of Annette's Garden asked...
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Sherman Gardens - Part 1
Just a few days after returning from the Capital Region Garden Bloggers' Fling, I joined 2 SoCal bloggers, Denise of A Growing Obsession and Hoover Boo of Piece of Eden, as well as HB's friend and...
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Sherman Gardens - Part 2
Wednesday's post covered the Sun Garden, the Central Garden, the Perennial Garden and selected plants at Sherman Gardens, a 2.2 acre botanical garden in Corona del Mar. While very nice, these were...
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In a Vase on Monday: The drama continues
So, when we last left Blue Eustoma she was laying low and limiting her contacts. However, this week, she appears more sociable. Her colorful companions have lightened the mood surrounding her and she...
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Wednesday Vignette: Butterflies! (In my own garden!)
Last month, I published a post on the butterfly exhibit at Brookside Gardens in Maryland but now I'm pleased to say I have photos of some butterflies in my own garden. In recent years, I've bemoaned...
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Hillwood - An elegant estate garden
This Friday, I'm taking you back east to the first stop on day one of the Capital Region Garden Bloggers' Fling, Hillwood in Washington DC. This 25-acre estate was owned and developed by Marjorie...
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In a Vase on Monday: Bright & happy
I've no drama to offer this week for "In a Vase on Monday," the weekly meme hosted by Cathy at Rambling in the Garden. Frankly, I get more than enough drama every time I turn on the news these days so...
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Bloom Day - August 2017
We've been enjoying unusually pleasant weather for the past week. The marine layer is back in position each morning, which keeps the afternoon temperatures down. However, it is mid-summer, normally...
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Foliage Follow-up - August 2017
Most of my posts probably scream "flower addict" but foliage is really the dominant feature of my garden. That's clearest during the mid-to-late summer months when flowers retreat from view.There are...
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US Botanic Garden - A national treasure
Last Friday, I picked up coverage of the Capital Region Garden Bloggers' Fling with photos of our visit to the Hillwood Estate. After lunch at the estate, the bus took us to the National Mall. I...
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In a Vase on Monday: Breaking News
We're interrupting our regular "In a Vase on Monday" coverage for a special update. Despite prior media reports suggesting that the split between Blue Eustoma and Dahlia 'Loverboy' was permanent, it...
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Wednesday Vignette: Cat vs Flowers
Like most cats, my cat, Pipig (the name is Swedish for "squeaky"), is generally self-sufficient but, when she wants my attention, she can be very demanding. If she's ignored, she tends to act out....
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Late Summer Favorites
Summer can be tough on plants here. I've often likened our summer experience to that faced in winter by gardeners in cold-weather climates. When a heatwave hits, working in the garden is unpleasant...
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In a Vase on Monday: Dinner is served
Two of my dinnerplate dahlias were finally fit to be cut for "In a Vase on Monday" this week so I'm serving them up today. The first is Dahlia 'Fairway Spur', which turned out to be remarkably similar...
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Wednesday Vignette: Love notes
What's your image of a love note? Is it something written in elegant cursive on scented paper? Is it a poem, or a declaration of undying affection dripping in metaphors? Or is it a tweet replete...
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More from the 2017 Garden Bloggers' Fling
We're a week into a heatwave expected to extend through at least the middle of next week. Dealing with it is nowhere near the challenge faced by people in and around the Houston area but the...
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In a Vase on Monday: Heatwave Rescues
I'm in a bit of a rut with my floral arrangements. Dahlias and zinnias have been carrying the show each week but, with summer reaching its climax, there's not much else in the garden in terms of...
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The heatwave ends at last
I complained about our extended heatwave in my last 2 posts. By our usual summer standard, July and most of August were fairly mild in my area. But on August 26th, the temperature soared throughout...
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