Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Garden Walkabout



Between rain showers yesterday, I managed to get out in the yard and garden for a while.

I don't know the name of this little coral-colored rose but it's one of my favorites.










It's been there in the bed by the green house for about twenty years, at a guess and, if past years are any guide, will bloom from now till frost.






















There is a nice flush of shitakes on the inoculated logs -- I foresee another asparagus/shitake stir fry in our future.

























The spiderwort is blooming in the creepy garden.













The banties are happy in their chicken tractor.

























In the herb garden, the sage is blooming and fat bumble bees wiggle their way deep into the blossoms.














The box beds were full of weeds which have outdone themselves with all the rain. I filled a tub to take to the big chickens and threw a wad of crisp green chickweed to the banties -- along with assorted slugs, earthworms, and wood lice.







Across the road from the garden I spotted a clump of Blue-eyed Grass.

This tiny (the bloom is about the size of my little finger's nail) wild flower is a member of the iris family and though not exactly showy is utterly charming.

A lovely find on a day in late spring.









17 comments:

Carol Murdock said...

That Rose is really unique Vicki?
I bet you love walking around looking at your place!

Pat in east TN said...

Everything looks so nice. I'm anxious for my sage to bloom ... this would be it's first year.

Vicki Lane said...

Good morning, Carol and Pat! After weeks of rain, I'm beginning to understand what makes English gardens so beautiful! The flowers are so happy! Of course, so are the slugs . . .

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

What a lovely post. Nothing like a photos walk-about, after rain!

I especially love the little coral roses. My husband loves 'Old Fashioned Roses' and this looks a lot, like they look.

And interestingly, he built some of those rather triangular things for climbing plants, too. The ones I see in your picture. :-)

Gentle hugs,
Aunt Amelia

Vicki Lane said...

Aunt Amelia -- We are fortunate in our husbands-- mine built our tuteurs, as the French call them.

Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Muses said...

Oh how lovely!!!!!

Vicki - I love our walks in your garden. thank you!

(may I come in and have a slice of pound cake now, please?)

Vicki Lane said...

Hi, Kaye! Glad you enjoyed the walk! Alas, the pound cake is gone (let's hurry up and get rid of this before it makes us fat, we always say) but let me know when you travel our way and I'll have some waiting.

Kathryn Stripling Byer said...

Vicki, as always, a lovely walkabout. It's raining right now, so I'm inside.
A techie question. How do you add the stories you might like at the end of each post?

Vicki Lane said...

I have to laugh at being asked a 'techie' question. But I do know the answer. Look under and to the right of those three pictures of stories you might like and click on that pale little icon that says LINK WITHIN (I think it's a right click but if not, try left) That will take you to a page that shows you how to add it.

I think it's marvelous - they do the choosing, not you, but they're quite good. The only problem is that one can follow links all day long, looking up around three pm to wonder why you're still in your jammies.

Liz said...

Vicki - With all of the rain lately I am betting the branches and creeks are running full - any chance you could post a picture or two of Big Pine Creek. I grew up playing in creeks and branches and Big Pine Creek is one of the most beautiful - when I am driving to our property I can barely take my eyes off it (a small problem when you are supposed to be driving!). Best -Liz

Vicki Lane said...

Hi, Liz,

The branches are roaring -- today we have steady rain.

I'm going into Marshall tomorrow and will swing up Big Pine and see if I can get a picture or two.

Victoria said...

The coral colored rose is so antique looking and the color is gorgeous.

I sure wish you could send some of your rain out this way. We haven't had any measurable rain for five weeks. Everything is covered in yellow pine pollen and needs a good washing!

Vicki Lane said...

Isn't this early in the season for you to be having such dry weather, Victoria? We get twitchy when we go that long without rain -- start sniffing for smoke and worrying about forest fires.

Hoping the drought breaks soon!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Gorgeous garden Vicki. My sage hasn't ever bloomed. Maybe as it gets older it will.

I just discovered "link within". It's terrific and I love it that they do everything for you. Hard to find that kind of help today.
Sam

Vicki Lane said...

Hi, Sam, Re garden, it helps that we've been working at it for almost 35 years :-)

And yes, LINK WITHIN is wonderful! Free! Easy!

Merisi said...

That lovely coral pink rose looks almost like one of my favorite tree peonies in the Belvedere Alpine Gardens - a stunning beauty!

The little iris has a special charm. My heart always make an extra jump when I see wildflowers, especially rare ones.

Vicki Lane said...

Merisi - I adore those tiny flowers on the blue-eyed grass; they are a bit bluer than the picture shows.