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Arbutus Gardens

As we were touring Renee Moog's garden, another visitor told me that I should go to Arbutus Garden Arts, which was just down the road. I had no idea we were close but it was a garden I was familiar with and always wanted to visit. A pleasant surprise! Norm Jacobs is the owner, and he showed us around and answered questions. The garden is also a nursery and he propagates the plants. However, he says that he is in the process of retiring. My friend Linda bought an absolutely stunning weeping snowbell tree. I managed to discipline myself and only left with a groundcover, Erigeron pulchellus 'Meadow Muffin'. The garden is stunning with winding pathways surrounded by packed borders of mostly conifers and Japanese maples. I was enamored by the most beautiful specimen of Sourwood Tree ( Oxydendrum arboreum ). I have one that seems to be stunted, but Mr. Jacobs told me that they need space for their root zone and do not like competition. This could be my problem, as mine is surrou...
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A host of golden daffodils



I WANDER'D lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of golden daffodils,
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.



Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretch'd in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.



The waves beside them danced, but they
Outdid the sparkling waves in glee:—
A poet could not but be gay
In such a jocund company!
I gazed, and gazed, but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:



For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
-William Wordsworth







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  1. AnonymousFebruary 18, 2009 at 4:16 PM

    Beautiful. You're a very talented photographer. I bet you've won tons of awards. The poem warmed my heart. Thanks for sharing. We all need a little spring right now.

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  2. UnknownFebruary 18, 2009 at 4:16 PM

    And a splendid host of daffodils indeed, Phillip. I had to learn that poem in grade 4, many eons ago, and am surprised that I remember 90 percent of it.

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  3. KerriFebruary 18, 2009 at 6:36 PM

    Such glorious daffodils! And your photos are beautiful.
    The poem is a favorite of mine. My father loved it and used to recite it to me.
    I posted it with my daffodils last spring :)

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  4. AnonymousFebruary 18, 2009 at 6:41 PM

    I got a bit sentimental reading it. There is something about those first flowers in the Spring that bring so much happiness to my heart. Beautiful photos.

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  5. RuralityFebruary 18, 2009 at 7:14 PM

    Cool beans! That first one is especially beautiful.

    Oh BTW, I have been informed that the cherry tree on my blog this morning is actually a Japanese Apricot. No wonder it's earlier than all the other cherries, LOL.

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  6. GailFebruary 18, 2009 at 8:20 PM

    Phillip, Your daffodil photos are stellar and they compliment the poem beautifully! Have a good Thursday! gail

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  7. Chandramouli SFebruary 18, 2009 at 8:53 PM

    I envy your photography skills. Awesome ones and a lovely poem.

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  8. RandyFebruary 19, 2009 at 5:00 AM

    Phillip,
    Those are abosolutely incredible photos! I particularly like the first one! Good job--Randy

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  9. Roses and LilacsFebruary 19, 2009 at 6:39 AM

    Nothing speaks to me of spring more than daffodils. Mine are many weeks away but thank you for sharing yours.
    Marnie

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  10. sweetbayFebruary 19, 2009 at 7:38 AM

    Beautiful photographs. It'll be at least 2 more weeks before our daffodils are out in full force here.

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  11. Chandramouli SFebruary 19, 2009 at 10:44 AM

    BTW, here's a small something for you:
    http://inartliesmyheart.blogspot.com/2009/02/foundation-of-creation.html

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  12. AnonymousFebruary 19, 2009 at 2:57 PM

    Hi Phillip, wonderful wonderful wonderful. This is what spring is about. All the photos are gorgeous, well done and thank you. Our first daff opened today, very cold, sunny and windy. So much to look forward to.
    Frances

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  13. AnonymousFebruary 20, 2009 at 7:29 AM

    Phillip, this is one of my very favorite poems, and your daffodils illustrate it so well.

    Jan
    Always Growing

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  14. AnonymousFebruary 20, 2009 at 7:47 AM

    your photography is beautiful - thank you for sharing!

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  15. JanFebruary 20, 2009 at 5:50 PM

    I've always enjoyed that poem-and have quoted it on a page in my blog, too. You have taken some superb photos here! This is a lovely post:)

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  16. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2009 at 8:15 AM

    The daffodils are out in coastal South Carolina too, at least the earlier ones. I really like your images of the flowers just before they open fully - sometimes I think I like them best.

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  17. KC MO Garden GuyFebruary 26, 2009 at 8:18 AM

    Beautiful!! NOthing says spring like daffodils!

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  18. Lisa at GreenbowMarch 2, 2009 at 5:16 AM

    Thank you so much for bringing this poem to us. Your photos go with it perfectly.

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  19. AnonymousApril 4, 2009 at 4:22 PM

    The poem and pictures are sublime. Thank goodness daffodils never need to be "bailed out." They are hearty souls who can live 100+ years because they have few natural enemies. I always find it a paradox that pansies are hearty enough to withstand cold temperatures, and daffodils can go on forever, while man made things always have a certain shelf life.
    Renee Langmuir 4/4/09

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