Flowers

It, Sambucus canadensis ‘Aurea’ is more functional than ornamental here, used to provide shade for seating in a prime garden viewing spot. It is not really a tree, but rather more of a large shrub, with judicious pruning required to keep the pathway clear underneath. But that’s okay. I like to prune. The foliage was […]

The Scentless Mock Orange caught me by surprise, I hadn't noticed it was blooming. It's lovely white flowers were draped over the garden gate and waving at me to pay attention. Small bees buzzed around the 4 petaled flowers. It lit up the shady spot behind the patio gate. But, even out of bloom, it has a lot to recommend it. William Cullina says this about them: "In a favorable spot, the whole plant is wreathed in white and it is quite lovely in a loose and delicate way" They were here when we bought this house nearly 28 years ago. They are not the straight species but are most likely Philadelphus inodorus 'Grandiflora'. They are so attractive and so nearly like the species that I believe they are worth sharing. Perhaps, hearing about Scentless Mock-Orange will spark your interest/desire to locate the species for your garden.There are four species of Philladelphus in Tennessee, P. hirsutus, P inodorus, P pubescens var intectus and P pubescens var. pubescens. Although, each are found growing in my home county, I've never seen them in the local woodlands. I suspect that they are rare and possibly endangered in the wild. After studying the photos of the flowers and foliage at the University of Tennessee Herbarium website it is clear that the flowers of 'Grandiflora' are twice the size of the species, but, everything else seems the same.Like the species, my Philadelphus shrubs have a very fine upright shape, arching stems, exfoliating bark and when in bloom, lovely white flowers that have no scent.Scentless Mock-Orange has clusters of small flowers with 60 to 90 stamens in each flower. The 2 - 4" long ovate shaped leaves are simple and opposite and the entire plant can reach a height of 10'. The mature bark is often gray, but can become more of a mahogany color over time. It is more floriferous in full sun, but grows well in part shade with at least four hours of sun. It prefers calcareous or neutral soils (my garden) and can be found in nature from Canada to Florida and east to Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana. (source) It's a beautiful flowering shrub that's not only easy to grow, but, takes very little maintenance....I never water it. Trust me here, it has survived in the Garden of Benign Neglect for almost 30 years.I love this plant and want it to step out of the shadows of the woodlands and from the corners of old gardens into the spotlight. Even if you haven't the space in your garden for a shrub this large, you can spread the word and encourage native plant enthusiasts to think about adding Scentless Mock-Orange to their gardens. It would be a wonderful shrub for the back of the border or at the edge of the woods. It would be a good basic hedge/screen, a specimen in a large border or in a cottage garden. Lest I forget, it's attractive to native bees, too.xoxogailWelcome to Clay and Limestone's Wildflower Wednesday celebration. WW is about sharing and celebrating wildflowers from all over this great big, beautiful world. Join us on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Remember, it doesn't matter if they are in bloom or not; and, it doesn't matter if we all share the same plants. It's all about celebrating wildflowers. Please leave a comment when you add your url to Mr Linky. Gail Eichelberger is a gardener and therapist in Middle Tennessee. She loves wildflowers and native plants and thoroughly enjoys writing about the ones she grows at Clay and Limestone. She reminds all that the words and images are the property of the author and cannot be used without written permission. Subscribe in a reader

It’s a nervous moment when you walk into the Show Ground to find out what medal you have won. The day before (Monday) is an exhausting day with judging starting at 8.00 so we have to be in very early to make sure that everything is spotless. Then there are endless TV crews and journalists trying to get onto the gardens – there are times when we are more like bouncers than gardeners.  At 3.30 the Show Ground is cleared and the Royal walkaround starts. This year I was taking round Prince Andrew and Princess Beatrice who were charming. It was a real rugger scrum when we got to Prince Harry’s garden. There must have been over 100 journalists and camera crews wanting to film Prince Harry and the rest of the Royal Family. After that there was the Gala night followed by dinner -exhausting. So you can imagine that I struggled a bit to get out of bed this morning. I was doing fine though until I found out that I had a puncture. Not a good day to have a flat tyre.  I finally got to the Show and found that both gardens got Gold which is excellent. The RHS have given out 10 Golds this year which, in my opinion, is far too many and I’m sure that there will be some debate about it. But for now, we can relax with our pot of Gold. The Australian garden got Best in Show. One day someone can explain that decision to me but for now, I will just enjoy our gold rush.

There was quite a scrabble at Chelsea yesterday as we unveiled the Mark Quinn sculpture that he has generously donated to the RHS’s campaign for School gardening. It is incredibly kind of him and the money will go to a really fantastic cause. We were asked to create the garden in which the sculpture would sit.  We were only asked a few weeks ago so it’s been quite a struggle to get it all designed and built. We also installed lighting – it looks spectacular at night.

We love this family, they are such great people to work with, I was so looking forward to presenting Grace with her Bridal Bouquets and I wasn't disappointed she was thankfully thrilled...Grace's Bridal Bouquet was in shades of soft greens and creamy ivoriesThe beautiful Bride and all of her fabulous Bridesmaids and adorable Flower Girls enjoyed the wedding bouquet carrying lessonThe day was showered with blessings from above but St Lawrence's in Longridge still looked majestic surrounded by luscious gardens and our lanternsWe lined the path with candle lit lanterns on hooks and fresh fragrant Rose PetalsThere was a beautiful archway of fresh flowers over the door and two Bay trees and lanterns framing the door romanticallyInside this exquisite Church we'd created a visually warm welcome with these two floor standing Candelabras at the foot of the aislePosies of fresh flowers on alternate Pew ends Magnificent Candlelit Pedestal Designs were on either side of the ceremony spacePosies of Roses, Hydrangeas, Astrantia, Wax Flower and Alchemilla Mollis in glass jars were hanging from the end of alternate pews lining the aisleWe lined up the Boutonnieres on the windowsill ready to be pinned on to the all important Bride Groom, Ushers and special wedding guestsThe Bride Groom's Green Rose with Lily of the Valley, Sweet Peas, Champagne Grass, Ivy and Wax Flower BlossomEach Boutonniere was created individually, each one toning with the green theme but entirely different from the other Boutonnieres, this beautiful Boutonniere included a Ranuncula, Thalaspi, Wax Flower and Viburnum OpulusAn Akito Rose Boutonniere with Green Viburnum Opulus with Thalaspi, Wax Flower and fragrant RosemaryBeautiful Boutonniere of Sweet Peas, Wax Flower, Champagne Grass and RosemaryLovely White & Green Boutonniere featuring two "Snowflake" Rose Buds with Viburnum Opulus, Thalaspi, Rosemary and Wax FlowerUsher's Boutonniere of Fragrant Freesia, Thalaspi, Rosemary, Wax Flower and Champagne GrassAll of these beautiful Boutonnieres were finished off with a pearl pin and complementary RibbonA Wrist Corsage of Snowflake Rose Buds with Green Hypericum and Gypsophilia created for the lovely ShonaOur super cool Bride Groom the lovely AntonThe very best "Meeter & Greeter" Paul handing out the beautiful Order of Service The very glamorous and gorgeous Bride's Mum JeanThe Bride's Mum's epaulette Corsage of Rolled Quicksand Rose Petals with pearl grey Albiflora, Astrantia and fragrant FreesiaThe stunning Bridesmaids were next to arriveEven the Flower Girls were practising the "Perfect Bouquet hold"Grace arrived looking absolutely BreathtakingThe Green & Ivory Wedding Bouquet included "Bowl of Cream" Peonies, David Austin's English Garden Rose "Patience", Sweet Scented Lily of the Valley, Sweet Peas, Viburnum Opulus, Thalaspi, Rosemary, Wax Flower Blossom And RosesHow Gorgeous!!!The Lovely Grace with her super proud DadMassive Congratulations to Anton & Grace from all of the team here at Flower Design EventsStunning Bridesmaid's bouquets in shades of green and ivoryBeautiful Bridesmaid and Flower GirlLovely Couple!!!Beautiful Green Bridesmaid's BouquetsGorgeous BridesmaidsJason was loading up the Church Pedestals to take them to the receptionThe Celebrations moved on to the lovely surroundings of Mitton Hall where the tables were dressed with a combination of high and low table designsCandlesticks and Candelabras were the table designs of choice for the tall optionOur low silver fruit bowls filled with Hydrangeas, Roses, Peonies, Stocks, Dill, Astrantia, Sweet Peas, Viburnum Opulus, Alchemilla Mollis, Thalaspi, Wax Flower Blossom and EucalyptusBeautifully elegant Baroque style candelabras filled with Hydrangeas, David Austin English Garden Roses, Peonies, Sweet Peas, Roses, Astrantia, Alchemilla Mollis, Dill, Ivy Trails and EucalyptusTall elegant Candlestick Topiaries of Hydrangeas, Roses, Viburnum Opulus and lots more floral loveliness besides, around the base small posi

Have you heard that Sunset has a massive love affair with Airstreams? If you couldn’t tell from the May cover, well, we do. And while we imagine a world of endless summers and Airstreams for everyone, the reality is we can’t all have a silvery bullet proudly parked in our driveway. Lucky for us, there’s a new crop of quirky Airstream hotels that have all the romance of the open road, with none of the heavy towing. In the middle of Utah’s rugged wilderness, the Shooting Star Drive-In Resort boasts 8 luxe Airstreams and shows retro movies nightly at the its drive-in theatre. Kate’s Lazy Desert’s six vintage trailers in Joshua Tree, CA are from another world, one where you live in a lava lamp. Credit for the kitschy, psychedelic decor goes to the B52′s “Love Shack” video backdrop artists, who restored all the trailers at Kate’s. Each of the five trailers at the new Santa Barbara Auto Camp comes with 2 beach cruisers for touring town like a local. The Santa Barbara Auto camp is in the heart of town, where reasonably priced rooms are rare. Buckle your seatbelt for a night on the 1947 Tiki Bus at the Shady Dell. Nestled in the Mule Mountains in Bisbee, AZ, the Shady Dell’s been a trailer park since 1927. A fully restored, tiki party on wheels (inside the Tiki Bus at the Shady Dell).

Good morning everyone ~ Hope you had pleasant weekends and that the coming week will be good. Yesterday morning I had plans to get a sheet of paneling, but had said to God “if it’s ok with you”. Well, obviously it wasn’t, because a little while later I stumped my toe next to big toe on left foot, and it hurt like heck, swelled a little then turned a shade of purple. I laughed right out loud and said, alright, this is my answer, stay home. So I did.  I put an essential oil blend called Pan-away on the toe, and in a little bit the major pain was gone, but I couldn’t really bend it.  I’m happy to report that my toe feels pretty good this morning, and is bendable.  I can’t tell you how many times in my life that I have stumped those toes right next to my big toes.  They are a bit longer and that could be why. Someone recently told me that Pisces are always stumping their toes, I don’t know if that’s true or not, but it is with this particular Pisces. I did a little weeding in my St. Francis garden hobbling and stepping lightly, then hand watered things.  Later I got the idea to make some ribbon roses with the ribbon sent to me by Nicki, of Ravioli Dreams. Lovely ribbon and nice to work with, thank you Nicki. I looked at you tube videos yesterday, and oh my goodness, I am such a novice and have much to learn. These are what are called ‘spider web’ roses. Relatively easy and so much fun to make. After making the three roses, one thing led to another and it eventually became another little journal. I don’t know how many hours I worked on this, but it was sheer delight I can tell you that.  This one will be going to the widow’s meeting this morning, Friends Needing Friends, as I want to donate it for the raffle they have every month.  I used a piece of antique lace that I had in my stash, as a border around the piece. I would have printed out more flowers and verses, but my printer needs ink. This is what my workspace looks like now, my computer desk is piled high too. That’s it for now.  I’ve got to eat breakfast and get ready to head off to meet my new friends.  This is my third meeting with a bunch of lovely widow ladies. Have a lovely day ~ FlowerLady

I love this pushy little flower! Call me excentric, but I appreciate a plant that likes to romp around my garden and make a big statement. Showy evening primrose does make a big statement...Some gardeners might say it makes too big a statement!But, not me.Flowers and plants that can thrive in my shallow, clay soil are very much appreciated. Oenothera speciosa does that and more. It is a pink ground cover that lights up the Susans garden mid-spring and combines beautifully with the foliage of later blooming wildflowers.I like rough and tumble plants that can take care of themselves and colonizing plants that make a big show and Oenotheras are rough and tumble colonizers. Many gardeners think they're aggressive or thuggish and if the idea of plants romping here and there doesn't appeal then you might want to steer clear of this pretty in pink beauty. In the right circumstances (dry rocky soil) it can spread aggressively in your garden and be nearly impossible to eradicate.I have a wet winter garden and they still manage to romp about....mostly down slope, not up! I rip out the plants before they set seed, they look messy anyway, but, getting all the root is nearly impossible so every year, they return. Again, I don't mind them in my garden. They're pretty and pink, they smell sweet, and pollinators love them...They're nectar and pollen rich and it has been suggested that based upon the size of the stamens and styles that large butterflies, day flying sphinx moths and hummingbirds may be pollinating them. (source) X marks the spot for pollen and nectarAlthough, I haven't seen hummers or sphinx moths nectaring on Showy evening primrose, it is popular with small bees and bumbles. It's a good thing I like them a lot, they're in my garden for good and most likely forever!xoxogailPS Originally a native plant of the south-central United States and the rocky prairies and savannas of the lower Midwest, it is now commonly seen along roadsides and in disturbed areas over a much broader region. It is available in the nursery trade and has been a pass-along plant for generations! (source)Gail Eichelberger is a gardener and therapist in Middle Tennessee. She loves wildflowers and native plants and thoroughly enjoys writing about the ones she grows at Clay and Limestone. She reminds all that the words and images are the property of the author and cannot be used without written permission. Subscribe in a reader

We were all looking forward to this beautiful wedding, Zoe is the most beautiful of Brides with equally beautiful taste, the look was to be soft and romantic, gentle pinks and ivories, exquisitely fragranced blooms throughout and in Zoe's glorious wedding bouquet a plethora of summer loveliness; Lily of the Valley, Sweet Peas, Peonies and RosesHer spectacular possie of "Onsie'd" Bridesmaids complete with their Bridesmaid's BouquetsZoe even manages to look gorgeous in her Rollers!!!The Bridal Bouquet was bound in ivory satin and pinned with her own vintage broochAt St Nicholas in Wrea Green, the Lytch Gate was dressed with a glorious garland of Wax Flower Blossom and GypsophilaWe hung candlelit lanterns on the Lytch GateThe day was showered with "Blessings" which is always a good sign for a happy and long marriageOur spiralled stemmed "Bay Trees" framed the door wayInside Roses and Hearts dressed the end of each pew lining the aisleTwo of our fabulous Baroque style candelabras were on stands framing the ceremony spaceA huge collection of Boutonnieres and Corsages were lined up ready to be pinned on by our JosieThe Mother of The Groom's Corsage of Sweet Peas and Hydrangeas in shades of Pinks, Lilacs and Green shadesBoutonnieres of Akito Roses with Wax Flower Blossom and Champagne Grass were pinned on to all of the Groom's MenThe Beautiful Bridesmaids were next to arrive, wearing soft Rose Pink Gowns and carrying their complimenting PosiesThe Bridesmaid's Bouquets were a smaller version of the Bridal Bouquet but with Pink Peonies instead of ivory onesThe Bridesmaids looked utterly breathtakingThe fabulous Bride's MumOur stunning Bride arriving with her very proud DadHuge Congratulations to Zoe, Brad and little Roman from all of the team here at Flower Design EventsThe Celebrations were to be inside the spectacular brand new pavillion at The Villa in Wrea Green where the tables were dressed with a collection of high and low table designsOur fabulous Baroque style candelabras found their new home on the tables in the marqueeA Traditional Top table design in the centre of the table with small posies of roses stretching to the outer edges of the tableOur lovely candlelit Birdcages surrounded by Peonies, Roses, Orchids, Sweet Peas and HydrangeasThe Bridesmaids Posies were placed in vases on the tables where they were to be seated with candlelit Hurricane lamps on Mirrors in the centre of the tableOur fabulous "Regency" Candelabras with Stocks, Roses, Peonies and Wax Flower Blossom looked so elegant on the tablesHuge thanks to Zoe, Brad and Roman for choosing Flower Design Events to create their wedding flowers Share

It’s simple, really. Above: Passalong peony from dear neighbors long ago, probably P. ‘Festiva Maxima’ Photos are taken of various parts and plants of the Fairegarden, they are then tagged with the date and held in folders until being used in blog posts. Above: Gifted Iris siberica ‘Butter and Sugar’ from daughter Semi. As garden […]