"Just Be Gardens"...A place to Be.
In Balance. With Birds. With Butterflies.
With Bees. In Beauty. Blessed. Just Be.
And we just added a water garden to the yard, with 4 waterfalls and a curving stream. I am so excited thinking about all the plants I'm going to add to the edges and surrounding area. We mulched the rest of the entire back yard so now there is space to add more shrubs and other perennials. It won't get done all at once...it will be a process and take time.
I want to be out there every day, all day~but that's just not practical! It's nice to enjoy what I have, at the moment...but also to dream about what I'd like to add and what it can look like in a few years. I will add another seating area with a good view of the water garden area and I'm sure I will have more photos than I know what to do with!
What's in bloom in my woodland gardens? Lots!
Another shot (although the light is a bit bright) of Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Splash' along with Pulmonaria 'Gaelic Spring'. I also planted Pulmonaria 'Barfield Pink' last year but it has not come up at this point.
Lately, the azaleas buds have been fattening out and many will soon be blooming. Although the Kerria have been in bloom for weeks, they continue to shine. It seems most of my front gardens are filled with later spring to fall blooming perennial plants, but just a little while ago I checked and was surprised to see that the Euphorbia 'Bonfire' was blooming, as was the Geum 'Flames of Passion'.
Many of the hyacinths and daffodils have passed their prime, but two varieties of daffodil remain in full bloom.
The other stars in the front yard, at the moment, are the tulips and creeping phlox, accented by a few grape hyacinth, rockcress, candytuft and blue star creeper and forget-me-nots.
Despite losing quite a few tulips to those darned 'gnawers' (most likely the zillions of squirrels that hang out here)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ *Have you stopped over to participate in the Gardeners' Sustainable Living Project? Today is the last day! For Earth Day, I am giving away over 20 garden gifts including a Rain Barrel and a Composter. Be sure to check it out!
Lungwort (Pulmonaria) 'Raspberry Splash' Left, and 'Gaelic Spring' Right |
Foam Flower (Tiarella cordifolia) Top L; Hellebore Top R; Spotted Deadnettle (Lamium) 'Shell Pink' Bottom R; Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) 'Chocolate Chip' |
Lately, the azaleas buds have been fattening out and many will soon be blooming. Although the Kerria have been in bloom for weeks, they continue to shine. It seems most of my front gardens are filled with later spring to fall blooming perennial plants, but just a little while ago I checked and was surprised to see that the Euphorbia 'Bonfire' was blooming, as was the Geum 'Flames of Passion'.
(Top) L: Azalea; R: Kerria Japonica (Bottom) L: Euphorbia 'Bonfire'; R: Geum 'Flames of Passion' |
Many of the hyacinths and daffodils have passed their prime, but two varieties of daffodil remain in full bloom.
unknown Narcissus varieties |
The other stars in the front yard, at the moment, are the tulips and creeping phlox, accented by a few grape hyacinth, rockcress, candytuft and blue star creeper and forget-me-nots.
Candytuft (Iberis sempervirans) Left; Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis sylvatica) Center; Rockcress (Arabis 'Snow Cap') Top; Native Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata) Right & Bottom |
Despite losing quite a few tulips to those darned 'gnawers' (most likely the zillions of squirrels that hang out here)
...quite a few tulip bulbs actually have managed to sprout and bloom this year. This is mostly due to going wild with spraying and sprinkling organic critter repellent throughout the gardens. I've decided spending a few minutes every month or two doing that is worth the price when I see the results:
Tulips (Tulipa) surrounded by: Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis) Center; and Grape Hyacinth (Muscari) Top Right |
Now we're off to visit my mom and my sister's family in Delaware for a few days of my son's spring break. While in DE, I'm also taking a day trip to visit Carolyn from Carolyn's Shade Gardens and Jean from Jean's Garden at Carolyn's nursery in PA. I am going to buy some plants (!), we plan to take a picnic lunch, and Carolyn is going to take us to visit Chanticleer gardens. Neither Jean nor I have ever been so we're both excited. Plus, the 3 of us have never met so this is a blogging adventure;-)
When I get home, I am hoping to find some time to 'Just Be' in my garden! Despite the busy-ness of life, I hope you can find time to do the same;-) Please visit May Dreams Gardens to see what's in bloom around the world for this April 15th Garden Blogger Bloom Day.
When I get home, I am hoping to find some time to 'Just Be' in my garden! Despite the busy-ness of life, I hope you can find time to do the same;-) Please visit May Dreams Gardens to see what's in bloom around the world for this April 15th Garden Blogger Bloom Day.
Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/
Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.
Absolutely beautiful! How I would love a water attraction in my back yard!
ReplyDeleteOh Jan, love your 'Just Be' Gardens...perfect. A fantastic job was done on that water feature. Your blooms for April are beautiful too.
ReplyDeleteJan my mouth is still hanging open. It is all soooooo beautiful. I just love your pond with falls and stream. And your flowers ... well what can I say but close my mouth. Just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely garden to visit and just BE. Thank you for the tour. It turned out so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOh my, you have so much going on in your garden I did not know where to look first. It is all just beautiful and I love your waterfalls. How wonderful.Your Candytuft is so pretty. Mine are finally getting some buds.I really like your Geum. I may have to check out one of those. ;-)Your red trillium is so pretty. Do you have the white and red one? Your garden is just beautiful girl.
ReplyDeleteJust Be gardens you choose it right That water project is great i love it but also a bit jalous cause i want a stream in my garden too bit ther for its must too small Great every think is growing now and blossem Enjoy what you have and plan to do its so nice to work out your plan
ReplyDeletegreetings jacky
So, so beautiful Jan. Your 'Just Be' garden areas are lovely and what a great reward for your hard work over the years.
ReplyDeleteYour water garden area is already looking pretty darn good, but I'm so looking forward to watching it develop. I know you'll come up with some fantastic plantings for this spot.
I scrolled up and down your mosaics for ages taking in all those gorgeous flowers. What a sight!
Goodness - you've got lots of incredible color. Especially like the 'Raspberry Splash' Lungwort.
ReplyDeleteJan, Your gardens are beautiful, both new and established. I never realized that Phlox subulata, which I call moss phlox, was native and native to PA. I am so excited because I have big patches of it. You must have some voracious squirrels because I would guess that deer did that kind of damage. Can't wait to see you and Jean on Sunday. Carolyn
ReplyDeleteOh I love your gardens and the name you picked is perfect!!!
ReplyDeleteJan, You have so many flowers and beautiful pictures of them!
ReplyDeleteI love that shot of your new water feature from the end looking up toward the top waterfall.
Enchanting. As a garden should be. Congrats on understanding what you have achieved- a bit of serenity and peace on earth.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic lanscape of your garden. Pretty blooms! My Fertilizer Friday Hope you can visit mine too.
ReplyDeletelovely cascading water feature you have there.
ReplyDeleteYour yard is exactly what I want mine to look like, including that gorgeous water feature! Have a great trip!
ReplyDeleteJan, Everything about your 'Just Be' Garden is perfect. The flowers are gorgeous. The waterfalls with curving stream is my favorite. A place to 'Just Be'.
ReplyDeleteJan your gardens are stunning..wow...and that new water garden is just gorgeous without any plantings yet...I am speechless and gladdened of heart to be able to see such beauty when I visit your blog...of course there is a little envy going on too...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Jan! How exciting too, I love going on garden blogger adventures. Can't wait to hear all about it!
ReplyDeleteJan, what a great posting! So many questions...
ReplyDeleteThat water feature looks like it will be so much fun. Does it recycle or do you have water source? So many flowers...
You are going to have a marvelous time at Chanticleer. Take note of the Black Locust 'Frisia' as you enter. It inspired me to plant one after visiting. We also added Adirondack chairs after our trip there. There is also a new book out on Chanticleer which I'm looking forward to checking out prior to our planned trip in June. I'm looking forward to your posting on the trip.
I love it. Both the gardens and the name. A Beautiful place to just BE. You are truly Blessed.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous display of blooms Jan, and I love all the various mosaics that you show. The water feature looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteYour new water feature is absolutely beautiful, Jan! With all your blooming plants and a comfy place to sit, this will be the perfect place to just "be." Happy Bloom Day!
ReplyDeleteLove that water feature Jan. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteReally like the Pulmonaria as well. Would like to get some Raspberry Splash.
So.....about that Spiderwort. :-D
I came over to say HILARIOUS about the spiderwort!!
ReplyDeleteBut oh my gosh, that is your YARD?? that water feature is amazing and huge!
Jan,
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I have been admiring your beautiful gardens. I love the mulch surrounding the dry bed coming from the water feature. What type is it?
I love your woodland garden and its new water feature. It is already so lovely, and it will be fun to see what you plant and how it all develops. Your collages are beautiful; you have a wonderful variety of blooming plants!
ReplyDeleteWonderful! Water features are a great addition to gardens and I like that lil' waterfall. Your blooms look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful garden and photos! I just bought that Geum and so far it's not as dark and pretty as yours. I'm hoping it's the lack of sunshine this year and that next year it will be better. Love your new water feature!!! Ooh the possibilities... Have fun on your shopping trip.
ReplyDeleteSo much color in your woodland garden! And I love your garden's new name. Have a great time getting together with Carolyn and Jean!
ReplyDeleteA really beautiful garden, nice work.
ReplyDeleteI love this name for your garden, Jan. I'm also loving all the beautiful plants. I have some of these in my own garden, but they're not as far along, so your provide a promise of things to come. And, of course, I loved getting to meet you and spend such a fun day with you and Carolyn. -Jean
ReplyDeleteJan, your garden is really pretty and looks like a place I would like to Be. Sorry to have missed seeing you in PA, I would have liked to come. I bet you had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteWow, I am very impressed by your new water feature! It turned out beautifully. You have an amazing collection of spring flowers.
ReplyDeleteHi, Jan!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that water feature!! Oh, I've been dreaming of adding a little waterfall thingy to my gardens. I think it would add such a nice ambiance for book reading out there. Beautiful pics. The places is looking fab! Happy spring..
I know you will have fun on your road trip. I have been to Chanticleer in high summer and found it to be one of the most fantastic gardens I have ever seen. It would be nice to see in another season, so hopefully there will be a post in your future.
ReplyDeleteWater features add so much interest to a garden! I have been after my hubby for us to create one but thus far, he is not biting on the hint. I am about to resort to a dry bed creek instead...
ReplyDeleteI love the pic's and the name! We have a huge back yard that we do nothing with other then grass.. after we get the septic replaced I'm going to do some hinting to hubby about making it an area to enjoy instead of an area where we do nothing! PLus attracting insects and bee's would be wondeful for our other gardens! Thank you for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteJan your garden looks incredible. The water feature is fabulous! I bet you see even more bird activity in your garden now that you've added it. (and you already have a lot of great feathered visitors)
ReplyDeleteAlso so many gorgeous blooms already! You have leaped ahead of me that's for sure.
Enjoy your trip.
Everything looks gorgeous!! I really love the water fall.
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect name for this beautiful, serene woodland garden. The water feature is tops!!
ReplyDeleteI love the name you chose for the garden, and those water features are awesome! You sure have lots blooming! I forgot to plant the euphorbia, 'Bonfire' that I got today to replace the one that did not survive last year. I didn't have to pay for it, even thought the price was $2.00 higher than what I paid for it last year. The nursery was able to pull my name up, and see a list of my purchases over time. I am in a club of some kind there, but the plants are guaranteed for anyone.
ReplyDeleteHi Jan, your waterfall cascade is just gorgeous. It must be hard to tear yourself away from that beautiful garden to go on trips, even if they are garden-related! Your lungwort looks so much healthier than mine - it must love the woodland surroundings.
ReplyDeleteWow, Jan, your garden is gorgeous! I would love to come out and photograph it some day and meet you in person! You've got some real winning photographs, too---love the bee closeups and the purple clematis.
ReplyDeleteCindy (cindydyer.wordpress.com)
Wonderful design in your backyard, I have water features but it's not lovely as what you have. Your garden is so serene, I love it.
ReplyDelete