Now here is an awesome stand of Bamboo.  I took this picture on the grounds at Duke.  I wanted you to see this particular variety of bamboo.  The canes are at least 2 inches in diameter, and it is really pretty.  

 

We've all seen the skinny caned bamboo that folks plant in their yards not realizing that it grows really fast, and spreads like crazy.  In fact, I've heard that the mission of bamboo is to take over the world.  

 

But not this kind:  it is definitely ornamental, quite stately, and obviously a source of great fun for Duke students over the years.  Thought you'd like to see it.

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

I had the nicest wake up text this morning:  My friend sent me this picture, and the caption was:  Amsterdam airport now.

 

How beautiful!!!  I'm not sure, but the ones in the bottom of the picture look like are carved of wood.  Anyway, they are all so PRETTY!!!!!

 

 

HAPPY SPRING ALL THE WAY FROM AMSTERDAM!!!

 

It is a small bushy tree with these gorgeous bright orange flowers.  And you see those little bud thingies?

 

Do you know what it is?  Got any guesses?  

 

It is a Pomegranate tree.  Yep, those pomegranates.  And the little bud thingies are the fruits forming after the blooms fade.  This particular one is at the Norfolk Botanical Garden, and there are a few of them.  One is quite old, and nearly 8 feet tall.  If you go, some are planted in front of Baker Hall, and the big one is on the back side of the Japanese Garden.

 

Pretty cool, huh?  I think so.

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

 

 

 

 

I saw this Clematis blooming up a trellis, and it really caught my eye.  It is dark, and the leaves are a lot bigger than the one I have grown.  It is lovely;  and almost as pretty as mine.  Here is the whole trellis.

 

 

Pretty, huh?

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

 

See?  From white all the way through red.  Love them!!!

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

As you can see, I didn't take this picture in the mountains.  I am still at the Beach, and everywhere you look the Knockout roses are blooming.  I don't want to grow them in my yard, but I love seeing them.  

 

They bloom all spring and summer and, if well-maintained they will continue blooming into the fall.  They grow in our area too, and come in lots of colors;  from white through pink to this bright red.  

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

 

 

This bed of Bearded Iris took my breath away.  The purple was SO deep and its beard was bright orange.

 

I love how Iris bloom for a day or two, then close up and let the next one open.  It even works when you cut them and put them in a vase.  LOVE, LOVE LOVE!!!!!

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

Isn't this fabulous?  YES, IT IS!!!

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!!

 

I had never seen the Gardens at Duke.  It was part of the 3-mile Angels Among Us walk.  Oh my goodness!!!  What a gorgeous place.  Acres and acres of big trees and flowers and water features and on and on.  Right there on the campus of Duke University.

 

I just love these Alliums:  the flowers are about 3 feet tall, and there are 4 curved beds of them.  Don't they look just like my leeks?  I might have to plant some of these in my garden.  

 

It is definitely a place to go see if you are anywhere near Raleigh/Durham.  Do it!!

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

On Saturday, my friend and I participated in the Angels Among Us Walk at Duke Medical Center in Durham.  Since she was on a committee to work with volunteers, we had to be there at 5:45 AM!!!  When I saw this cool sign for the walk the sun was just coming up and the sky was pink.  

 

What a great way to start the day:  seeing the sunrise.  I might start getting up early every day.

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!