Tremendous Progress in the Gardens

Friends have asked if anything new is happening at the garden, so I will happily take a moment to document our tremendous progress.

My art retreat at Arrowmont last fall, at which I spent a week making baskets, inspired us to try growing our own willows. We are attempting to grow living fences as well as pussy, fan and curly willows for flower arranging, and basket weaving willows in several colors. We ordered the cuttings from Dunbar Gardens and followed their instructions for planting. I think we have only lost one plant out of 150 planted! At this point most are about 18 inches tall. We look forward to attempting to weave some of them into fences and garden structures as well as baskets. I have registered for another weaving class this fall at Arrowmont and will be able to take some of my own willow cuttings to share. 

Basket Weaving at Arrowmont Retreat

Basket Weaving at Arrowmont Retreat

Willows

Willows

With the continued help of Edwin, the owner of Landscape Ex, we have placed weed barrier, bark, rocks and crushed shells around the three tree islands, on the four future rose and lily beds, around the Eleven Beds as well as creating definition for the allée of Hornbeams to the barn. I am including some before and after shots. These “toppings” have helped tremendously with weed control as well as the health of the trees and shrubs, because we are no longer hitting them with the mowers. I understand roses respond well to shell-type mulch. We have one more step before planting roses this fall, and that is to place some aluminum fence posts and wire behind the Inkberry holly shrubs to prevent deer browsing. 

Before of Barn

Arrival of Shells

After of Barn

The Nashville Antiques & Gardens Show brightened February and was so much fun with fellow gardening friends from Virginia and Tennessee. Brooke Shields was their key guest this year, and is proof that there is a fountain of youth. As well as Nashville, we found garden inspiration in Leiper’s Fork and Franklin. I have included a photo of an unusual, calla lily-shaped pot that would be in our garden had it cost a thousand dollars less. 

The Nashville Antiques & Gardens Show

The Nashville Antiques & Gardens Show

The Nashville Antiques & Gardens Show

Leiper’s Fork, Nashville

The Nashville Antiques & Gardens Show

We have never grown sunflowers, but a winter visit to the Van Gogh exhibition in Richmond inspired us to try several varieties this year in one of the Eleven Beds. This morning they are about 4 inches tall and I can’t wait to share some photos later in the summer.  Also, perhaps we can realize the dream of inviting some artists to paint in the garden this fall. 

Sunflowers from the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit

Sunflowers from the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit

Sunflowers from the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit

Sunflowers from the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit

Sunflowers from the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit

My late father Chaired the first Iris Festival in his town, and I was able to lift a few bearded iris clumps from his garden. They are flourishing as they join iris that were gifted last year by a neighbor out here on the river. We have ordered 36 more rhizomes in white and purple and will plant them at the end of summer, along with 40 additional peonies which are going in this week. All these are planned for the Eleven Beds and the hope is that crowding will help reduce weeds. Nut grass is this year’s nemesis. 

Bearded Iris clumps from my father's garden

One of our favorite activities is putting on our boots, making a cocktail, and visiting the tree islands.  Eastern redbud, hawthorn, service berry, maples, elms, Seckel pear and Montmorency cherries seem to grow a foot taller each week. Butterfly cocoons and bird nests make us so happy.

JRG