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Redbud 'Flame Thrower' (Cercis canadensis) As May comes to an end, I thought I would share some trees that look good now.  First, the insanely beautiful 'Flame Thrower' redbud. I always hesitate to praise this tree because of their finicky nature. So far, so good on this one which is near our front door.  Snowbell and 'Wolf's Eyes' Dogwood in the background The Snowbell tree ( Styrax japonica ) has been spectacular for many weeks. I was up on the roof of the garden shed this morning and got an aerial view of it. It looks so much larger from above. The blooms are so heavy that the branches are bending down. A few years ago, I recall standing underneath it and the roar from bees buzzing around it was deafening. Last week, I was saddened to hear no bees at all. Fortunately, there are some a week later but not nearly as many as in the past. On the opposite side is 'Wolf's Eye' Dogwood ( Cornus kousa ) which always delivers. This is a small dogwood c...
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Christopher Mello's Garden



(Our vacation started earlier in the week with visits to other gardens in Raleigh, N.C., Richmond, Norfolk and Seaford, Virginia). We then headed back to Asheville for the Fling which officially started on Thursday evening with a meet and greet as a local jazz bar. On Friday morning, the garden tours began. I'm starting here with the gardens on the Garden Fling tour first. I'll be blogging about the other gardens on our trip later.)

Day 1 of the Asheville Garden Blogger's Fling started off with a bang with a visit to Christopher Mello's garden. The focus in this garden wasn't really the plants but a dazzling array of bottle trees and found objects including old rusty shovels and Tonka trucks (yes Tonka trucks!). Asheville is a meca for artists - an appropriate beginning for our tour!


Here is Mr. Mello talking about his artistic vision. I missed some of this because I was engrossed in photographing so you will have to refer to more attentive bloggers for the story behind this!
A circle of old shovels surrounds a gravel area filled with Tonka Trucks
Larkspur and company

It had rained the night before and the morning was overcast, perfect for taking photographs. We really lucked out on the weather. Most of the days were cloudy and cool. It seems like everyone grows poppies in North Carolina and you see them along the roadway borders as well. They were so beautiful. I love this combination!
A rusty trough of sedums with bottle tree (Smoke Tree - Cotinus coggygria)




Campanula (C. punctata "Cherry Bells") and Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
Stay tuned for the next garden on our tour, another artist inspired creation (this time with rocks, bricks and stucco) called "Wamboldtopia".

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. SkeeterMay 22, 2012 at 3:46 AM

    Amazing what your eye saw that my eye missed! so much to take in at Christopher Mello's gardens...

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  2. UnknownMay 22, 2012 at 5:13 AM

    Gorgeous photos! It's amazing to see everyone's different perspectives and photographs on the same gardens. (I haven't even edited my photos yet!) I wish we had a chance to meet in Asheville--I think I was told you are an expert on rose varieties for shade--or am I making that up? Look forward to more posts!
    ~ Julie

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  3. tinaMay 22, 2012 at 5:46 AM

    You captured it beautifully! I am really looking forward to seeing everyone's take on the different gardens.

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  4. Phillip OliverMay 22, 2012 at 6:04 AM

    Julie, I'm sorry I missed you! I do know some roses that do well in shade. The hybrid musk roses seem to be the best for me. I have a lot of them profiled on my website at http://www.phillipoliver.net/roses.html

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  5. Rosedale GardenMay 22, 2012 at 6:36 AM

    Phillip how did they do the bottles in the smoke tree? I love that idea. I've been collecting wine bottles to use as edging along my garden paths. This looks like a great trip to make. Mary

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  6. Janet, The Queen of SeafordMay 22, 2012 at 6:43 AM

    Seaford?????? You were in Seaford??? Where did you go? Pam Harper's garden?
    We really did need to chat.
    The Campanula is 'Cherry Bells' according to Daricia, A Charlotte Garden.
    Great photos. We were on a different bus, so it was sunnier when we got to Christopher's garden. Love all the burgundy plants.

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  7. Phillip OliverMay 22, 2012 at 6:48 AM

    Hi Janet, did I meet you?? Yes, Pam Harper's garden. I've wanted to see it forever and finally got the chance. I love that woman!

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  8. Phillip OliverMay 22, 2012 at 6:58 AM

    Mary, you know, I didn't really notice how he did that. I think that smoke tree limbs are pretty stiff so I bet he just cut them off and stuck the bottles on there.

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  9. Phillip OliverMay 22, 2012 at 7:01 AM

    Janet, sorry, I see that you are in S.C. now. Sorry for the confusion - we discussed earlier that we didn't get a chance to meet.

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  10. Janet, The Queen of SeafordMay 22, 2012 at 7:07 AM

    That is ok, so many names and faces, hard to keep it all straight. Yes, Pam's garden is wonderful and she is a delight. You were about a half mile from my old house.

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  11. Lynn HuntMay 22, 2012 at 7:08 AM

    Wonderful photos Phillip! Your capture of the circle of shovels came out so much better than mine. I love your vision.

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  12. Phillip OliverMay 22, 2012 at 7:08 AM

    Oh wow!

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  13. DariciaMay 22, 2012 at 9:35 AM

    i really loved this garden and your photos of it are beautiful! i asked christopher about the campanula as everyone was walking to the bus...i have 'cherry bells' in my garden and thought it looked the same. he said, "you know, i think that's it!. tell the others that, if they want to know." so, there you have it. (species is C. punctata.)

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  14. Dee/reddirtramblingsMay 22, 2012 at 9:57 AM

    Enjoyed this garden very much because I love dark purples. Love how you photographed it too. It was great to finally meet in person. Waving to you both.~~Dee

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  15. FairegardenMay 22, 2012 at 10:19 AM

    Well and beautifully documented, Phillip. Christopher Mello's garden is one of my favorite spots in West Asheville, along with Wamboldtopia. Such talented and creative gardener/artists!

    Frances

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  16. aquablueroseMay 22, 2012 at 11:44 AM

    Hi Phillip,

    This is absolutely delightful. I Love this kind of garden...sort of a 'wild child'. Beautiful!!

    Am looking forward to seeing more of the gardens you & Michael visited.

    gerri XXXX

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  17. F CameronMay 22, 2012 at 1:08 PM

    Fun to see the artistic interpretations of gardeners. Thanks for sharing.

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  18. AlisonMay 22, 2012 at 2:44 PM

    Thanks for these wonderful pictures and your account of your experience of the first garden from the Fling! I missed this year and I've been feeling starved for pictures!

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  19. Lisa at GreenbowMay 25, 2012 at 3:35 AM

    I am so glad that you identified those Cherry Bells. I want to try that plant in my garden. I saw it in several gardens but no one was around that could tell me what they were. Christopher's garden was a treasure. I especially liked Shovelhenge.

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  20. LKTMay 26, 2012 at 8:37 AM

    So striking! I'm putting a mention of this post on my blog--including a photo. I hope that's OK. Citing attribution of course. Let me know if you want me to change it.

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