Anyway, I've pulled myself back into line and begun to cut myself some slack. (Nobody cares if that mulch still isn't spread except me) I've decided to make more time to get out in the garden with my camera. The viewfinder of the camera forces me to realign my focus. When looking for things to photograph I begin to really see all the lovely elements instead of the negative ones. It hit me the other day that the hellebores were more floriferous and beautiful this spring than they've ever been and I never took the time to get even one picture of them. I was too busy cleaning up winter debris and lamenting over the losses. I don't intend to let any other fleeting beauties get away from my camera this season....
The Sundial Garden with the Hydrangea petiolaris in the background.
Salvia 'May Night' next to the Lysimachia 'Alexander'
Newly planted cement urn. The Fuchsia Begonia on the left is new to me this year and I'm looking forward to seeing how it does.
A little shade garden with one of my giant variegated Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata 'Tiger Fern' on the pedestal right of center
Fuchsia 'Billy Greene' is putting on quite a show
Neoregelia 'Charisma' These three pups were from one plant I purchased a couple years ago.
The bromeliad tree I put together a year and a half ago is still looking great after its winter in the greenhouse.
The Japanese Maple is skirting the edges of the pond now.
The west container border with many of the plants overwintered in the greenhouse. It was like an instant garden when I put them out a few weeks ago.
Iris 'Immortality' with Weigela 'My Monet' and Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears'
Terrace Garden
Rahjii looking for the drasty voles
The Allium 'Globemaster' are sublime right now
The new shrub border is beginning to fill in nicely
The Driveway Garden
Don't have the name of this beauty but I love it's pale lavender color
Rahjii loves the nepeta
My Cotinus 'Golden Spirit' has been pretty slow leafing out this spring (Whoops I wasn't supposed to point that out)
Long view of the Driveway Garden showing my new Purple Obelisk Beech
Iris 'Beverly Sills' with Miscanthus 'Morning Light'
We're always our own worst critics! Your garden looks fantabulous!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Peter. You are so right that we are our own worst critics.
DeleteI am very familiar with that tendency to apologize for things that I'm probably the only one who sees. Your garden looks lovely!
ReplyDeleteThanks Alison!
DeleteYour gardens are again awesome. Thank you for sharing them. The only thing better than the gardens is Rahjii of course - and your change of focus! Every year you create the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen. Your photography is second to none. I'm glad to see that you're going to stop stressing over the gardens and enjoy them with the rest of us! <3 (I've printed out your "Change of Focus" - because I do the same exact thing with my quilting - always pointing out the mistakes to people who never would have noticed; always thinking I should have done this a little better or that a different color - when I did the best I could at the time - and I should just enjoy it.) Thank you for sharing not only your beautiful gardens, your awesome photography but your words of wisdom as well. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Nancy,. so happy the post struck a note with you. None of us are getting any younger and it's such a waste of time and emotional energy to stress about meaningless things. (like the violets in the lawn LOL)
DeleteNow let's see if you put your money where your mouth is...hahahaha! Leave those violets alone!
ReplyDeleteLOL Sue, I'm trying to go against my basic nature and settle for less than perfect, which we all know is impossible in a garden
DeleteThank you far sharing with us your very beautiful garden Deanne! We are our own worst critic at times and its great that you've cut yourself some slack this time and took the time to take photos and just appreciate your garden :)
ReplyDeleteThanks friends! I appreciate the comment
DeleteWhat a lovely visit to your garden this morning! Love the photos. Yes, focus on the joy of your garden. There are so many perfect things about it. The pale pale lavender iris is beautiful. Gorgeous elements all add up to a spectacular garden. From the first I've thought you took a less than ideal backyard due to slope and trees and too advantage of what other people would consider bad points. - Donna F (who is not used to posting on blogs and hope I did it right)
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna, yes indeed you did it right and I appreciate your comment. I agree, in the beginning that hill was a huge problem and the trees were and are a challenge but it makes for an interesting garden.
DeleteYour garden looks spectacular, Deanne! I know what you mean about seeing the faults instead of the glory of it, though. I found myself pointing out my garden's defects during an impromptu tour last weekend. We become so used to focusing on what needs to be done that sometimes we fail to see what we've accomplished. I'm glad you took the time to share your beautiful photos of your splendid garden!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kris, I'm glad I'm not the only one who does this.
DeleteI like your attitude! Enjoy what you've got because it's pretty darn fabulous. Oh and that Rahjii is a real looker. What a beautiful color.
ReplyDeleteThanks! That Rahjii is quite the personality. He talks a lot too....
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