Does anyone do hospitality better than Southerners? Perhaps. But I can’t think of who right now because last week I was in Davidson, NC, speaking at the Davidson Horticultural Symposium where the members of the Davidson Garden Club rolled out the red carpet. It’s very fresh in my mind. And, oh my!
I was there as one of the guest speakers talking about the “Artful Vegetable Garden”—once again riding my hobby horse about how edible gardens don’t have to be utilitarian looking. I rubbed elbows with fellow speakers Allan Armitage, W. Gary Smith , William Welch and Pamela Baggett. The Davidson Garden Club members arranged for our transportation and accommodations, flowers in our rooms and for our lapels, escorts to make sure we didn’t get lost, fabulous dinners and lunches and one very special garden tour.
The garden surrounds the Italian Renaissance-style home of a private couple who have created a very approachable and walkable garden on acres of protected land in Davidson. A pathway circles the perimeter of the house and is planted with fabulous specimens that are evident even in the still-chilly weather of early March.
Careful attention to plant selection, artful creation of pathways to give long views of garden sculptures, creative use of elements for a rustic touch and even mossy paths, contributed unasked, courtesy of Mother Nature, made this a fabulous and memorable garden walk.
You can see more of the garden here.
I appreciate my new friends in Davidson and their fabulous Southern hospitality. Thank you!
Robin
The chickens aren’t the only ones sick of this wintertime weather inconvenience. I’ve been jonesin’ for spring for weeks now. Well, spring and chocolate. I can do something about the chocolate.
It turns out, I can do a little something about spring too! Some of my gardening pals egged me on (*snicker*) with their discussion of all the spring bulbs they were buying for forcing. The nursery of choice among these seasoned gardeners was Brent and Becky’s.
Hey, I can keep up with the Joneses and get my jones on too! (Is anyone following me here?)
Here’s the Brent and Becky’s winter mix bulbs with narcissus, tulips and small oxalis peaking out around their feet. Next to it is the gorgeous Amarylis ‘Elvas’ and the stout little ‘Foxtrot’ tulips.
I also have some Princes Irene and ‘Lilac Wonder’ tulips, but they’re not quite ready for their debut.
There’s still a lot of winter left here in Southern Maryland. In fact, as I write this it’s snowing. The weather guessers had predicted a couple of inches. Right now it looks like it’s about eight inches and rising.
I responded, of course, by ordering seeds. So far I’ve placed a nice, healthy order at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and a smallish order at Cook’s Garden. I’m not even closed to finished yet, cause I’m jonesin’ for some summer bulbs.
Brent and Becky’s here I come!
Robin
I swear that I used a random number generator to pick the winner of The NEW Low-Maintenance Garden book. It’s only a coincidence that Carrie at Maywood Farm blog also happens to raise chickens.
Carrie left a comment that said: ”I need this book because my husband and I are planning our dream home and are out of debt and saving money for the first time ever! I find books like these inspiring (even just looking at the cover makes me smile!)”
Gratuitous photo of rudbeckia in winter
Thanks to everyone who entered the drawing. Please drop by again, because I have another book that I will be giving away here in the next couple of weeks.
Robin
