This is a picture from 2019, but I heard my friend say that she saw the Lady's Slipper orchids blooming on the Arkaqua Trail just last week.  I took this picture on the trail going up to Brasstown Bald.  There are thousands of these wild orchids up there.  This is my Mother's Day present for you today.

 

 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

 

I didn't take this picture in the mountains, but this tree will grow here.  It is Korean Dogwood, and they are blooming now.  There are a couple in our neighborhood, and some others on the back road to Blairsville.

 

I love these flowers perched atop the leaves.  They always make me happy.

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

I was looking at The Farmers Almanac and found an article about 10 pretty plants that deer won't eat.  Hmmm, let's just say that most deer don't particularly like to eat these ten plants.  Of course, OUR deer will eat anything, so take this with a handful of salt.  But here's the link:  https://www.farmersalmanac.com/deer-resistant-plants 

 

Go there.  The plants are pretty, and maybe you'd like to try some in your garden.

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

When Sharon and I went to the Botanical Garden last week we saw so many roses in full bloom.  This was my absolute favorite, if you can even choose one over the others.  Let me show you a sweeping picture of the rose garden so you can get an idea of how big it is.  Hang on.....

 

 

This is one small section of the rose garden.  I would venture to say acres of roses, and they are truly breathtaking.  

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

 

 

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!!!