Road Trip - Memphis Hydrangea Tour
Michael and I braved the heat yesterday to drive up to Memphis (about 2.5 hours from Florence) to attend the Mid-South Hydrangea Tour. I had printed out maps from the MapQuest website and tried to pinpoint the best routes so that we wouldn't spend too much time lost. From experience, you don't want to be with Michael when he doesn't know where he is. That man is in serious need of a chill pill.
The MapQuest directions were not that bad but they were not the best either. We made a few wrong turns but managed to visit 4 out of 6 gardens and finished before noon and before the sweltering heat became unbearable. I do have another item for my wish list - I want a GPS device for trips like this. If you have any recommendations, let me know.
We then drove across town to visit our friend Joann, had lunch at PF Changs (yeah!) and stopped at a few shops. Michael's aunt and cousin drove up from Mississippi and we all had a good visit. Got home around 8pm totally exhausted and slept till 8am this morning. Unheard of!
On to some garden photos. The first garden was very small and charming - a lush patio/courtyard area. Not too many hydrangeas at this one. I think this is "Ayesha".
Doesn't this look like a great place to relax?
This beautiful hydrangea was at the second garden and I'm kicking myself because I didn't write the name down.
This one is "Angel Song", one from the "Halo" series that I wrote about earlier.
I love this archway made from terra cotta pots - clever!
My favorite garden was this one. This is a narrow pathway along the side of the house which leads to the beautiful garden in back.
Looking back in the opposite direction toward the front lawn.
The back garden featured this adorable potting shed.
A patio area. I love the rock work and the way she integrated architectural pieces into the borders.
A long view of the garden. This garden had a Mediterranean feel with manicured grassy areas and lots of stonework and gravel. Loved it!
I don't know what this groundcover is but I like very much.
Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
The MapQuest directions were not that bad but they were not the best either. We made a few wrong turns but managed to visit 4 out of 6 gardens and finished before noon and before the sweltering heat became unbearable. I do have another item for my wish list - I want a GPS device for trips like this. If you have any recommendations, let me know.
We then drove across town to visit our friend Joann, had lunch at PF Changs (yeah!) and stopped at a few shops. Michael's aunt and cousin drove up from Mississippi and we all had a good visit. Got home around 8pm totally exhausted and slept till 8am this morning. Unheard of!
On to some garden photos. The first garden was very small and charming - a lush patio/courtyard area. Not too many hydrangeas at this one. I think this is "Ayesha".
Doesn't this look like a great place to relax?
This beautiful hydrangea was at the second garden and I'm kicking myself because I didn't write the name down.
This one is "Angel Song", one from the "Halo" series that I wrote about earlier.
I love this archway made from terra cotta pots - clever!
My favorite garden was this one. This is a narrow pathway along the side of the house which leads to the beautiful garden in back.
Looking back in the opposite direction toward the front lawn.
The back garden featured this adorable potting shed.
A patio area. I love the rock work and the way she integrated architectural pieces into the borders.
A long view of the garden. This garden had a Mediterranean feel with manicured grassy areas and lots of stonework and gravel. Loved it!
I don't know what this groundcover is but I like very much.
Comments
Is it possible the ground cover in the last picture is wild ginger?
My GPS is a Garmin (not one of the expensive ones - got it @ Costco) and I LOVE it! I download a new map every 2 years @ $70 or so.
The unusual hydrangea you're kicking yourself for not writing down the name looks a lot like my mom's "Blue Lacecap" except obviously this one is pink! :)
Oh, and until you get a GPS, I definitely recommend using Google Maps directions and never Mapquest. I've been stranded one too many times by it!
It was the perfect time for the garden you said was your favorite. Absolutely everything blooming.
The ground cover spilling out of the pot is asarum/ginger. There are a couple different varieties. When we were young we called them little brown jugs because of the flower hidden under the leaves.
Marnie
I love those Halo series hydrangeas. I don't own any, but wish I did.~~Dee
The cool pictures are refreshing in this heat. Thank you :)
I believe that hydrangea you forgot to take the name of is 'Beauty Vendomoise' I will photograph mine & we can compare.
Thanks for commenting on my Tropicana post. You asked if it could be transplanted this time of year. It is a tough plant. If it is still small and you can dig lots of dirt up with it, then keep it very well watered through the summer, I think you could do it. Otherwise, I would wait till fall. Good luck!
If that un-named hydrangea is 'Beauty Vendomoise', then I think I'll search it out.