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Roses In The Garden - a book review

Roses In The Garden by Ngoc Minh Ngo Photographer Ngoc Minh Ngo celebrates rose gardens throughout the world in this beautifully produced book.  The author photographed a total of 11 gardens across the globe (Italy, Morocco, Spain, USA, UK, and Japan). Beginning with the Italian garden Ninfa (often referred to as the most romantic garden in the world), her photographs have a dreamy quality that transports the reader to these exotic locales. Closer to home, Floret Farm in Mount Vernon, Washington, is included in one of the chapters. All types of roses are included in the gardens but the majority feature old rose varieties. Many of the gardens have roses growing in wild abandon, intermingled in hedge rows, spilling over walls and fences and surrounded by pastures and rolling hills. A pictorial index lists all the roses and the gardens where they reside. This stunning book was published by Rizzoli Books and is available on Amazon and in bookstores. Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, ...

Happiness is the return of rainfall


It has been raining off and on since Sunday and I couldn't be happier. According to our rain gauge, we've received about 1.5 inches as of Monday afternoon. The temperatures are cooler as well with highs in the low 70s and high 60s. Overall, this summer has not been like the hellacious one we had last year. I think there have only seen a few days in the 90s. 

I am always amazed to see how plants respond to rainfall. The Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) seems to put out an inch of growth overnight.

Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica)

Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia 'Charles Grimaldi') has also has another bloom display although the leaves are very yellowish. 


Begonia 'Bonfire' and Creeping Jenny 

I've just discovered Caryopteris and this is the second one I've planted. It is called 'Good as Gold'.

Clerodendrum trichotomum (Harlequin Glorybower) (Peanut Butter Tree) - I've been warned about this one reseeding but the flowers are incredible. 

Coreopsis 'Sunray' 

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snowflake'


Lantana 'Miss Huff' 

Leucosceptrum japonicum 'Golden Angel' (Japanese Shrub Mint)

Tibouchina (Princess Flower)
Rose 'Lady Emma Hamilton'

'Lamarque' - so happy to have this rose again and it is just now blooming. Very strange time for it but I'm not questioning. 

Rosemary 'Foxtail'
Solidago 'Fireworks' (Goldenrod)

And last, rhododendron 'Anah Kruschke' is blooming - what the heck?


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. The end-of-summer garden can be a little bit of a downer for me, so a good soaking of rain is just the pick-me-up I need, not to mention the plants. Everything perks up and glistens. I'm not sure which heather is in the first picture, it looks similar to one I have as well, and as soon as it gets cooler at night, it will be ablaze with orange and red.

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    1. The heather is 'Multicolor'. It is really colorful.

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  2. Oh you lucky duck - rainfall AND cooler temps - green with envy here in Alabama. I don't know if your clerodendron is the same as the one I had in Portland but on mine, after the flowers beautifully colored round seeds or seedpods covered the tree. I had never seen any thing like it. Or smelled the peanut buttery smelling leaves before either.

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    Replies
    1. This one does that too. Oddly though, I have never detected the fragrance!

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  3. Lucky you getting some much needed rain. That rhodie didn't know what was happening. ha... Just sit back and enjoy it.

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