Hidden Art Book Club: Gardens

Visiting and supporting public gardens both fall into the purview of tending our patch of ground, if we take seriously Edith Schaeffer's encouragements in The Hidden Art of Homemaking.

*Human beings were made to interact with growing things*

So, it is with great pleasure I draw your attention to Callaway Gardens where we will gather for an annual family reunion for the 22nd time in just a few weeks.

In my blog's sidebar there are links for CWAC (Cousins Week at Callaway) where you can read about our family tradition.

More links here, too.

But dont miss the opportunity to visit Callaway's website.

Originally conceived in 1930, after owner Cason Callaway wished to preserve the eco-system of the native plumleaf azalea, the family established the 6500-acre resort in stages.  There are more horticultural opportunities than I can take advantage of each year, so I never tire of returning.

Of course, visiting with our own adult children, my 25 nieces and nephews, various in-laws, plus some first and second cousins is the primary focus.  What a beautiful place for nourishing relationships.   I think the journalist who just published this op-ed about siblings in the NY Times might like to make a reservation.

Next, allow me to bring to your attention Gibbs Gardens located where I live in Cherokee County, GA.  

This landscape designer purchased over 300 acres about 35 years ago and has been developing them ever since.  Last year he opened the grounds to the public and wow!  What a refreshing place to visit.

In my first visit this year, I was taken with the red rhododendron, the fern dell, and this charming trillium (turned upside down for photo.)





Gibbs Gardens, like Callaway Gardens, sparks the dry wood of my lack luster talents and gives me just the right amount of inspiration to come home and try something myself.

What garden are you visiting?

This post is written and shared in conjunction with my participation in an online book club where we are reading Edith Schaeffer's Hidden Art.  Consider reading along.

Hidden Art Book Club: Chapter 6

 Gardens and Gardening

Spiller, filler and thriller is a mnemonic that fertilized my anemic horticultural skills recently.

See the faded pink bucket?

Formerly used as a toy bin and now gracing the view from my kitchen window,

this makeshift planter exemplifies the  aforementioned design.




Spiller = varigated ivy cascades down the side.  I probably need to add a few more sprigs around the perimeter so that they will eventually hide the bucket.

Filler = orange zinnias and white begonias occupy the center.  Additional pots on the left are ready to provide decoration indoor or out as circumstances arise.

Thriller = ornamental grass in the center leftover from a previous project.

Here's a link to one of the first times I tried SFT.   It started with the black metal chair that now holds a young hydrangea that is being nurtured for Fall planting.

I have so many thoughts about Edith Schaeffer's advice that I'm planning to break up my commentary over several days.

More in a day or two ~

Added later:
Where Garden Meets Wilderness by E Cal Beisner

Spiller, Filler, and Thriller

Gardening is not my forte, but I do love a pretty view when looking out the kitchen window.

So, I'm practicing by working with containers on my back deck, before I venture out into the big, bad world that is our half-acre plot here in hilly, rocky Cherokee County, GA.

After reading a newspaper article detailing a formula, I put together this rendition last Saturday afternoon just in time for Sunday company.

A varigated ground cover whose name I forgot, spills over the sides of this black metal chair. 

Petunias fill the bed or seat of the chair.

The pink Calla Lily is supposed to grow taller and be my *thriller*.






Platform feeder on the right where cardinals, titmice, brown thrashers, and chipmunks feast.

Bird bath on the left where I see squirrels, birds and insects drink and bathe.

Here's another view from the kitchen windows which shows a basket of thyme (which happens to be flowering right now) and three orange zinnias.

Look to the left down the deck for my *herb garden* which includes basil, chives, cilantro, mint, sage, and dill.

Toward the end there is a pot of mixed chrysanthemums held over from this past Fall. They are about to bloom. We shall see what colors are mixed. I'm expecting white and yellow.

Then some liriope aka monkey grass.

Then a pitiful hyndrangea purchased for color at Valentine's Day.  Can I find a place for it in the landscape before the hot sun burns it up?

The blue bucket contains four tomato plants waiting for a better home.

Finally, take a peek to the right down the stairs.  The delphinium is joined with some creeping jenny and presides over half a dozen pots of zinnias.

I guess the real test comes later during the long, hot summer.

Will I be able to keep these babies alive?

The garden hose is poised to help  ;-)


What does your garden grow?