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June Blooms

After a hot weekend, more pleasant weather has settled in and the long-term forecast shows consistent temperatures in the 70s. That is music to my ears, I just hope it lasts. We have been busy with the usual garden chores. Michael has been more adventurous than I and he created a small set of steps leading up to our shady path. He said he had been wanting to do that for a long time but didn't because of it making it difficult to move the lawnmower up to the top level. Well, we now have a battery-powered mower, a very lightweight, tiny thing which makes both of us happy. The steps are almost finished, just some more gravel needed to top them - Our new battery-powered lawnmower looks like a toy - In the garden - Autumn Fern ( Dryopteris erythrosora) is just spectacular right now. My favorite fern. Aruncus 'Horatio' has doubled in size this year and threatens to overshadow the shade garden.  Baptisia 'Solar Flare' blooms after 'Purple Smoke'  Jasmine 'Fiona...
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North Carolina Arboretum

Asheville is a great city and refreshingly liberal for a not-so-big town. If I were younger and just starting out, I'd seriously consider moving there. Another noticeable aspect of the city is how health-conscious everyone seems to be. There are numerous vegan and vegetarian restaurants and all of the regular restaurants have those options (appreciated by Michael very much!). For lunch on our first day, we were catered by 12 Bones and Curve Studios. The meal included turkey barbeque sandwiches, jalapeno cheese grits and cornbread. For dessert, outstanding ice cream from The Hop which I've been craving since I returned home.


Following lunch, the next stop was the North Carolina Arboretum, A 434-acre natural treasure with 65 acres of cultivated gardens and 10 miles of hiking and biking trails.




A curved row of pleached Beech trees edges a stone terrace which overlooks a sweeping lawn area and the forest beyond.

The beautiful Asian garden with zig-zagging pathways led to a bonsai exhibit. This is also where we saw a large black snake in one of the conifers. The arboretum employees were on hand to keep visitors from getting too close to it.

This is just one specimen from the bonsai exhibit.
Overlooking the "Quilt" garden. I would love to see this after it has filled in. You can see the terrace with the pleached Beech trees in the distance.


Some serious container vegetable gardening




Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. F CameronMay 23, 2012 at 11:07 AM

    Lovely photos, Phillip!

    The quilt garden is such a special place. I'd love to go see it filled in. Did you see anyone touring on Segways?

    Is that stipa grass in the one photo?

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  2. SkeeterMay 23, 2012 at 12:35 PM

    Great pics! The quilt garden was my favorite in the garden. That view is my version of Heaven for sure.... hey, I think I was standing by you when you snapped that shot! :-)

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  3. LonaMay 23, 2012 at 1:00 PM

    Just fantastic. I love the quilt garden.

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  4. Gardening Under The InfluenceMay 23, 2012 at 1:06 PM

    I have found a new road trip. Thanks

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  5. Lynn HuntMay 23, 2012 at 3:34 PM

    Beautiful photos once again, Phillip. It was a terrific trip (except for that snake trying to snag those baby birds.)

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  6. beckieMay 23, 2012 at 5:48 PM

    Your photos are fantastic, Phillip! Makes me want to go again. Ithought it difficult to capture the the views-just so much to get into a few photos. But you managed> :)Thaks for the 'behind' photo of me-gives me incentive to get back on my diet!

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  7. Lisa at GreenbowMay 24, 2012 at 7:48 PM

    I was in such a hurry to try to see as much as possible I felt like I didn't see quite enough of the arb. Your pictures have given me the slow view. What you can see if you slow down. Beautiful.

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  8. Janet, The Queen of SeafordMay 25, 2012 at 6:22 PM

    Yes, Asheville is a remarkably wonderful city, I loved it! I didn't get to see the Bonsai area, we did the walk with Tim Spira, then tried to do an overview.

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  9. Carolyn @ Carolyn's Shade GardensMay 25, 2012 at 6:55 PM

    I really loved our visit to this arboretum---it wasn't huge but it was spectacular. Fun sharing the fling with you and all the other bloggers.

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