Les of A Tidewater Gardener had a great idea when he started publishing his favorite photos as the end of the year. He asked readers to follow suit if they wished and leave a link on his blog. So, here they are!
I don't know the name of this Louisiana iris but I love the plush royal purple color. This and the pink-lilac iris bought from Lowe's 16 years ago are doing well beside the driveway, where they get enough food and water from hay mulch and rainwater running down the driveway to make them thrive.
I like the wall of flowers effect in this picture. From left to right, starting in bottom corner: Rosa rugosa rubra, foxglove, 'Alchymist', 'Sir Robert Lipton' (in the background), a mystery China/gallica nicknamed Delia's Purple, and mockorange.
Children dressed in their Easter finery at the twin sisters' garden on Gimghoul Road in Chapel Hill.
Native azalea at NC Botanical Garden, either pinxterflower or Piedmont azalea.
Baptisia 'Purple Smoke' and foxglove in my garden.
Swamp roses in May.
Penstemon 'Midnight' with swamp rose, purple milkweed, and spiderwort 'Concord Grape'.
Purple milkweed with carpenter bees and bumble bees.
September and Bidens. So much golden yellow.
A Japanese maple in Chapel Hill.
I thought this picture captured some of the special beauty of the UNC campus. The brightly colored shrubs are fothergilla.
Lovely photo's sweetbay.
ReplyDeleteI wish you a fantastic 2014.
Wow ~ my favorite photo is the one of swamp roses in May, and I just LOVE those purple milkweed blooms. I love all of the purples you grow in your gardens. I always love seeing your Bidens as well. Let's face it, I love your whole place, have for a long time now.
ReplyDeleteHappy 2014 gardening ~ FlowerLady
Beautiful pictures ! As always, I looove your purple flowers :)
ReplyDeleteVery lovely. Except for the yellow bidens and fall color, all of your beautiful scenes feature the deep pink-purple of Pantone's Color of 2014 - Radiant Orchid! Your garden shots are right on trend!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos, Sweet Bay! I don't think I can pick a favorite, but I am partial to the one of the sisters' garden with the children strolling through it--it makes me think of simpler times. This would make a beautiful wall calendar!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos...what a great summary of the year...I think I need some of those Purple Milkweed!
ReplyDeleteMmmm. Such deep, saturated greens and beautiful flowers. Soothing to look at, as I see brown and gray through my windows right now. I especially love your purple milkweed - it looks like a wonderfully thick stand!
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures! I think my favorite is the DayLily!
ReplyDeleteThe photo taken at Easter brought back memories and made me pause. Thank you for sharing your best of 2013. I wish you happy gardening in the new year.
ReplyDeleteI can easily see why these are your favourites. Those sweet girls in their little dresses are priceless. and that worn path through the swamp roses makes me want to talk a long walk. Love love love the iris. We have a similar native that I think easily rivals any nursery plant.
ReplyDeleteThe wall of flowers photo looks like it could be on a calendar! Gorgeous!! LOVE the purple penstemon and purple milkweed. My penstemon growing saga is epic in its inclusion of both ridiculousness and failure. I'll find out this summer if my purple penstemon will bloom or continue to mock me.
ReplyDeleteSimply beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHappy new year!
Gorgeous~You take wonderful photos!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos, Sweetbay. It looks like you had a beautiful year. All the best for 2014!
ReplyDeleteA lovely set of images Sweetbay! I love the azaleas and rhododendrons maybe because I only have a few sad specimens in my garden. The purple penstemon, foxglove, milkweed and iris are just beautiful as well.
ReplyDeleteAll are gorgeous! It would be a hard choice, but I think my favorite of the favorites is the rose arch!
ReplyDeleteA promise of spring in some of your photos. So pleased to see that today. Very uplifting. Thank you Sweetbay.
ReplyDeleteAll wonderful - hope your 2014 is just as lovely.
ReplyDeleteI miss azaleas. Thank you.
ReplyDelete