Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Through Another Lens

Helen Yoest of Gardening with Confidence and friend Beth stopped by the low spot of a North Carolina mountain top today for a visit. I hope her pictures turn out well. I am a lousy photographer when strolling through the garden with other folks. I talk too much trying to explain how this place got this way.



After a look at the cozy cabin we dove in to the tallflower meadow and beyond.



The Ilex verticillata is having a good berry crop. They rarely make it to winter and beyond. We are on the migratory route of many birds. Birds prefer using the low route when crossing the mountain tops.



I felt vindicated when both Beth and Helen said they had never seen Liriope blooming that profusely before. I have been poo poohed in the past on this blog when saying that. It never bloomed this reliably and profusely in Florida or Hawaii.



The goldenrods and the Ageratina altissima, White Snakeroot, were blooming in full force. I sent Helen home with a sack containing both. Even a little of the Blue Wood Aster fell in the sack. We still have to wait a bit for the low spot of the mountain top to turn blue. Only a very few of them have started to bloom.



Our visitors always say such nice things and you have to wonder. This is not your typical manicured garden. What is the basis of comparison? It is the wild cultivated garden and blends in quite well with the surroundings, hiding in plain sight. It may even be unique. But it can't be. Surely there is another gardener out there in the wilderness who doesn't have to bring nature home in a sack.

10 comments:

Lola said...

So glad you had company. I for 1 wouldn't mind carrying some home in a sack. It is very lovely there this time of yr.

Anonymous said...

Gardeners adapt to the environment Mother Nature gives us, and yours is certainly a gorgeous one! I am seeing similar "tall lush" gardens here on my visit to Maine, where the cool seems to redeem the gardens from the exhausted appearance further south. The same probably happens at your altitude!

bev

Fairegarden said...

I have never seen a garden as special and wonderful as yours and Bulbarellas, Christopher. It is indeed unique, and I am sure Helen thought so as well. How fun to have visitors with good cameras! I can't wait to read what she has to say about it.
xo
Frances

Helen Yoest @ Gardening With Confidence said...

Hey Christopher, Beth and I chatted all the way back to Newland Wednesday evening as we relived moments in your garden and your mother's garden, as well. BTW you were correct in your estimate of it taking 2 hours; but the time flew, while debating where the we would put our nature in a sack. We are home now and Beth and I shared your sack of goodies. I put my Snake Root in Woodland Too garden and the unique-to-me Golden Rod in the Red Bed.

I hope to post about my visit in the next week and pray I can express my thoughts of the beauty I experience during my short visit there. I'm already looking forwrad to seeing the gardens during Fling next year.

You mom was delightful and knowledgeable, with the ability to climb mountain like a mountain goat...I only hope I haver her abilities when I'm an octogenarian. Thanks for taking the time to share you garden with Beth and I. H.

P.S. Love, love, love your cabin with the vanishing living room.

Robin Ripley said...

I think there's a lot to be said for a garden that fits with the landscape, but improves it. How nice you could visit with Helen!

Gail said...

I agree with what Robin said Christopher. My favorite time in my garden is when the asters are all a-blooming blue! gail

Lisa at Greenbow said...

What fun having Gardener company. That lirope is blooming like crazy. Beautiful.

Christopher C. NC said...

I think I've been Plurked.

It's always nice to have visitors and share this place my parents mostly created. Their guiding vision was always a hike in the woods looking for wildflowers.

Siria said...

Hi Christopher! So happy you had gardening visitors. I look forward to seeing Helen's post. Your gardens up there are spectacular and unique! I know they enjoyed it and most likely want to come back and see the splendor in different seasons. Enjoy your beauty as a new season begins to appear.

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

You have indeed. :^) I'll need to see your garden in person to be able to answer your question about whether there are other gardens like yours. But it sounds like, even if there are others, yours is something special.