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Japanese Maples Fall Color

'Skeeter's Broom' is the most colorful maple in our garden. I have just returned from a 2-week trip to Japan. This was my first ever trip outside the United States. It was an amazing experience and one I will never forget. Japan was wonderful - they really have their act together and I think the U.S. could learn a few things from them. There was one disappointment on the trip - the fall color had barely begun there and was really just beginning as we left. That is okay because the gardens were still spectacular, and I got a nice shot of fall color when I got back. 'Ryusen' I missed a few things - our ginkgo had just turned a glorious color the day before I left, and the leaves were gone by the time I got back.  'Sango-Kaku' I came home to many leaves on the ground but still a lot on the trees. 'Osakazuki', a beautiful red maple always changed color very late and therefore doesn't usually last long. When I left there was no color but a few remaini

The Garden of Peter and Jasmin Gentling

Day 2 of the garden tours (Saturday) on the Asheville Garden Bloggers Fling took us way up the mountain to the lush, verdant garden of Peter and Jasmin Gentling. The drive up was not for the faint of heart. Michael, who has a fear of heights, kept his sunglasses on and head averted to avoid glancing at the deep ravines and valleys on the way up. 

All of the gardens on our tour were fascinating in their own unique way. This one was my personal favorite. 





The garden is composed of a series of terraces on a steep hillside. This wall is about 5 feet high.




That is a dwarf hemlock on the right - I didn't know there was such a thing.


Strong legs required for this garden!





One highlight of the trip was discovering new bloggers. Ira Wallace (strolling above) blogs for Mother Earth News and is an expert on vegetable gardening in the Southeast. A fascinating woman!

That is Pam Penick in front whose popular blog Digging was one of the first gardening blogs I read and influenced me to start blogging. 


Busy, busy  bloggers
Peter Gentling is a master at combing textures
I don't know the kitty's name but he/she was after something and after seeing a bouncing gray object, I realized that it was a rabbit. The rabbit escaped unharmed!

Poppies, lilies and allium



A great place for contemplation






The Gentling garden is open by appointment. For more great gardens in the Asheville area (both private and public) visit Explore Asheville.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. So many lovely wide shots, Phillip. This garden was truly special, and you captured it so well.

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  2. Phillip, thank you for this tour! I love the plant combinations, textures, stone work and, of course, seeing familiar faces!

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  3. Phillip, You did capture this garden beautifully...

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  4. After seeing this garden, The Saint and I have decided we need to add more green to the garden and spend less time on color! Would make for less work in the long run. But takes time for the growth of greens and I like my instant gradification. There gardens were impressive...

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  5. Some really gorgeous shots, Phillip. Mine didn't come out nearly as well ): But I saw myself in the busy bloggers picture which was nice.

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  6. Thanks for these pix, Phillip. Would love to go on one of these tours one day. Several bloggers from Texas that I visit went. So enjoyed these! Hugs, Carol

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  7. Oh, my! What a gorgeous garden. Just today my husband and I were talking about terracing a particular part of our yard. I will have to show him your post for inspiration!

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  8. Phillip what is the last tree? This is my kind of trip. Hope to make it some time.

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  9. Fabulous pictures Phillip! Your photos show the depth of the garden. What a wonderful place. Love the picture of the busy bloggers, very cute.

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  10. This was my favorite too Phillip. I think the textures, various hues of green and the showy blooms as exclamation points were the perfect combination. Great presentation of the garden. I hope Michael has recovered.

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  11. I think I may agree with Michael on the height thing. The kitty would be a she since she appears to be a tortoiseshell. Great article and fantastic pics.

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  12. Phillip, I remember commenting on the tripod you carried to the various gardens. Now I know the reason! Wonderful photography and summaries.

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  13. Thank you for the tour. What a wonderful garden.

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  14. Beautiful shots; beautiful garden. So happy I got to meet you and Michael!

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  15. You captured the garden beautifully. Loved the tour!

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  16. I really wish I had been able to attend. I've seen this garden featured on a few blogs and it's so gorgeous!! Excellent photos! I wish I'd been there!

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  17. You have been very busy since the fling writing about the gardens. I haven't even had time to download my photos (I am a little afraid that there are so many that my computer might crash). Gorgeous photos. Carolyn

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  18. My goodness! Wasn't it lovely. I especially like seeing it through your lens Phillip. I didn't realize Michael has a thing about heights. I do too btw.~~Dee

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