Flowers


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Lately, huge amounts of rain have made gardening and just being outdoors extremely difficult here in the mid-Atlantic. Earlier today there was a brief respite in the storm and the sun began to shine. Usually by mid-May our cold-weather crops, such as greens, cabbage, kale, lettuce and chard have been planted without fear of temperatures dipping below freezing… too often. Lately each day has been cold, dark and damp.

IMG_4065Normally this type of chilly weather has me puttering about the kitchen creating the ultimate in comfort foods, using the ovens to warm the house. Somehow that added warmth from the stove, along with a few lighted candles with a bit of jazz playing adds to that end of day ambience.

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IMG_4087But, I digress my point is that I could not wait to get outdoors into that pleasant sunlight no matter how brief so, with camera in hand this is what was found. No matter how much cloud cover there has been recently, the earth is still doing what must be done to change seasons and flowers were blooming most prolifically. Staking the peonies was a must, cutting a few of the purple irises for indoors was a delight and seeing the hydrangea making a valiant effort this year…well its all astounding!!

Garden stylishly,
K

French Garden Retreat

IMG_1399 IMG_1400Look at the Baccarat–clear sky above the Hameau de la Reine {the Queen’s Hamlet} in these photos, this tranquil cottage on the grounds of Versailles has become my inspiration for the gardens at Heath this spring. I have been researching information on how Marie-Antoinette enjoyed this quiet hamlet as a refuge from the pomp and ceremony of her court. Imagine an exclusively secret garden where no one may enter without an invitation.

IMG_1403 IMG_1418Though I am not compelled to do what André Le Nôtre, Jules Hardouin-Mansart and Jean-Baptiste Colbert did for Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette in designing the layout of the gardens at Versailles by removing woodland and shifting huge amounts of earth to create canals, fountains, flower beds and the Orangerie.

But, I am dreaming of creating my own escape with beds filled with parrot tulips, hydrangea, grape hyacinths along with night blooming jasmine and orange blossoms. There is nothing like being in the fresh air and wide-open spaces during the weekends, and having a body of water close by makes this secluded area and absolute {re}treat.

Garden stylishly in the French fashion,
K