BEAUTIFUL FADING TULIPS

These old ladies are just so gorgeous, maybe even more beautiful than the day they were freshly arranged - Parrot Tulips delicately fading and about to drop their petals.  

HYDRANGEA FLOWERS FOR A FRIEND'S BIRTHDAY

HYDRANGEAS PICKED OUT OF MY GARDEN, A BUNCH OF ROSES AND A FEW FRESH ARTICHOKES, TO DO FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS FOR A FRIEND'S BIRTHDAY LUNCH OUT UNDER THE TREES.  

THINKING OF SUMMERTIME IN THE WINTERTIME

Photos from a few open gardens I visited in the summer in Washington DC.  Very inspirational, very colorful especially after the snow and winter storms we have had on the mid-East Coast this winter.

Not much color other than greens - but with leaf texture and different shades of green, what stunning movement and yet soothing and peaceful around a pond.  Only two shrubs adding something different are the pale pink Spirea and the hot pink Knockout Rose.

Aster and Lantana.  Colors opposite each other on the color wheel contrast and work together.  Purples, blues and lavenders planted with yellows, oranges and reds add excitement and interest.  They are not meant to be soothing and peaceful, but add a burst of wow.

A special piece nestled amongst the ivy, you stop to look, and whilst sitting there, he keeps you company.

Hot sub-tropicals alongside a swimming pool - these are not winter hardy in our Zone 7, but would survive a conservatory, or being brought indoors once the frost bites.  Or you could replant every year, as you would have to for the annuals like the Pentas, Potato Vine and Petunias that they have used to add interest in this garden.  The tropicals are Anthurium in the foreground, beautiful green, pink & white leaf Stromanthe tricolor, large green Colocasia (we called these huge leaves Elephant Ears in South Africa), and multi-color Crotons in the far background.  There are also a few Banana plants with their large tropical leaves behind the Elephant Ears, adding height and texture. 

Shade garden ideas.  Hardy Begonias which die back in winter, then come back each year in the Spring in our Zone 7, with a background of Caladiums, adding pink to the quiet, shady area, also dotted with Ferns and Hosta - old faithfuls in the shade garden.  Caladium bulbs can be replanted each year, add stunning leaf color to any shade garden they come in shades of pink, red, white and green.

New Zealand Flax, a focal plant, surrounded by brightly colored annuals and perennials.

ANOTHER SNOWSTORM, NO MORE SNOW PHOTOS

Photos from open gardens I visited in the summer in Washington, DC.  I can't wait, miss my gardens and flowers.

CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW - CREATING A DISPLAY FOR THE CITY OF DURBAN

Last year, I fulfilled a lifelong dream. Not only did I get to visit the Chelsea Flower Show in London, but I also spent two weeks as a volunteer worker on the spectacular display garden for the City of Durban, South Africa, done by the Durban Botanic Gardens. Although I now live in America, I flew in as a South African to help get my hands dirty.

Here are a few photographs I took showing an empty slate. Then a few of the actual teamwork involved in a project of this magnitude, the display coming together, the team, the Curator of the Durban Botanic Gardens, Chris Dalzell, being congratulated by Queen Elizabeth on the Silver Gilt award, and a few of the magnificent completed display garden. I got to meet the Queen, she is lovely.  Well done to all involved, and thanks for the memories.

And this year, Durban went on to win a Gold Medal, congratulations.

THE ORANGE OF AFRICA

Having been born and bred in South Africa, my heart still yearns for my trips back home. Mainly to see my family and very special friends, but then also the breathtaking scenery, the smell of the earth, the people. South Africa is rich in exquisite indigenous plants and flowers, some well known worldwide, others only treasured by those lucky enough to find them growing out in the wild. Some of my favourite orange flowers grow in the mountains of the Drakensberg, in the Kloof Gorge, the Durban Botanic Gardens, the Western Cape Coast and the Kirstenbosch Gardens. Here are just a few of the magnificent orange ones.