Virginia Beauty

By Skeeter

The Saint and I left our Georgia Garden for a few days in Virginia over the 4th of July. One stop we made along the way, was in North Carolina for lunch.

We took a special route in order to try out the Barbecue that Cameron, of Defining your home garden talked about on her blog a while back. If you would like to see that BBQ Blog Click HERE. I wish you could smell the scent coming from the smokers as it was awesome to our hungry bellies. The chopped and sliced BBQ were yummy but we were both disappointed with no chicken or ribs on the menu. Cameron, it was worth the visit and thanks for sharing this BBQ tip with us.

The Saints mother is a wonderful gardener and has taught me much about plants in the 23 years I have known her. We arrived to two beautiful pots full of pretties by the garage door. What a welcome mat indeed to two tired travelers.

The Front door had another pot to greet us.

Here is a beautiful shade bed of hosta in the front yard as well as a great spot for a bird to take a bath.
Ah, Look out birdies, Missy may be looking for a snack! She is a good Vole catcher.
On the deck sits this interesting pot of flowers. The tropical looking palm tree is a Spike Plant that is over wintered each year in the house. I love the way it has been trimmed up each year and how it looks like a tree!
This Mandevilla was a gift to Mom B by the Saints sister. What a beautiful plant and full of blooms trailing over the deck.
I could hardly keep my eyes off it when I was on the deck.
Ah, look up to the sun pretty Shasta Daisy.
Not sure of this name but interesting bloom don't ya think?
Oak leaf Hydrangea, I do believe. Such a beautiful bloom on the hydrangea.
Here is where I discovered Butterfly Bush. In Mom B's back yard! I just love it and am so happy she planted it as now I have a Butterfly Bush Island in my yard. Thanks for showing me this plant Mom B!
Queen Annes Lace was in bloom all over Virginia and in Mom B's yard as well. For years I have called this Milkweed but now know it is Queen Annes Lace! I also found out that my Butterfly Weed is a type of Milkweed, after posting on it last week. I noticed where many had mentioned the word Milkweed when I never mentioned it. I googled Milkweed to find out my Butterfly Weed is indeed one of many in the Milkweed family! Queen Annes Lace is also Wild Carrot! Ha, learn something new every day!
I was so envious of the yellow Gladiola as the few I had bloom had black spots on them as if molded.
Look closely in the above picture to see a Japanese Maple tree. Mom B said it came up voluntary as she did not plant it. She thanks the birds for the gift. I love the natural look of this garden.
The Lilies were in full bloom and so pretty while in Virginia. It is so much fun to travel to a different zone to see what is blooming that has already past in our zone. Kind of like extending the season for me.
A Mum popping open.
Liatris or Gay Feather and Lily by the lake front.
A round planter by the lake front. Close-up of the Shasta Daisy in the round planter.

I did not catch the name of this purple beauty in the round planter but it sure is interesting.
Spirea bush below the deck.

Close-up of the Spirea bloom.
Oh no, Say it is not a Japanese Beetle on the Lily! Don't worry, this one will do no more harm. I took care of him...
The planter with the Spirea continues around the corner to this Hydrangea that I showed you last week. It has lots of pretty things to keep it company. Don't you just love that rock wall that Mom and Dad B built?
Creeping Jenny keeps the set stone in place to make for a beautiful walkway to the boat. Mom and Dad B worked really hard to get those in place. See that Mandevilla peeking through the deck rails?

This is only a sample of the yard that the Saints Mother has created since moving into this house back in the year 2000. When they moved to this house, she said she was going to retire and not do much yard work. And with the yard being full of Red Clay, well, that would make sure of little gardening. Ha, I had to laugh at her as I knew she would not be able to keep out of the dirt. The yard is full and I do mean full of Red Clay and we have no idea how she was able to transform it to this beautiful setting.

Tomorrow, we will get on the boat and see what kind of VIRGINIA BEAUTY, we can spot, On the Lake...