An unapologetic plant geek shares advice and opinions on gardening, the contrived and the natural landscape, as well as occasional topics from the other side of the gate.

June 10, 2010

An Audience With The Queen

Today I took a trip across the water to see Janet, The Queen of Seaford. We had a tour of her home and garden, plus I had a chance to meet her pack of dogs (two's company, three's a pack). By the way, if you are in the market for a waterfront home on the Virginia Peninsula, you may want to consider Janet's. Besides being lovely, it has a royal pedigree which can't help but increase re-sale value. The real highlight of the day was being able to see the York Co. Learning Garden. This project is the result of hard work on the part of many dedicated volunteers from the York Co. Master Gardeners and the Virginia Cooperative Extension. The well-labeled garden gives home owners, school children and the gardening public a chance to see what will grow in this part of Virginia at the warmer end of zone 7. If you would like to visit, do it on Thursdays when the volunteers are busy in the garden, that way you can ask questions and meet some dedicated gardeners. I don't know how they will survive after The Queen has moved on to her new realm in Carolina. Perhaps she has appointed a regent of some sort.

Silene virginica (Fire Pink)

Silene virginica

Cephalanthus occidentalis (Button Bush)

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Acanthus mollis (Bear's Breeches)

Acanthus mollis

Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)

Gaillardia aristata

Humulus lupulus (Hops)

Humulus lupulus

Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple) and Chamaecyparis obtusa (Hinoki Cypress)

Acer palmatum and Chamaecyparis obtusa

Magnolia soulangiana (Saucer Magnolia, and a very late one at that)

Magnolia soulangiana

Thank you again Janet, and best wishes at your new home (and garden)!

11 comments:

  1. You are most welcome and thanks for the kind words!
    Great getting to know you....see you on the internet. No goodbyes-- I am steering clear of tears....at least for today.

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  2. This is so great you visited with the Queen. Lucky you! And super great photos of a lovely garden. I know they'll all miss Janet indeed.

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  3. really lovely photos, I love the Silene virginica (Fire Pink)

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  4. Les,
    Wow a visit with the queen, did she give you a Sir rank?

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  5. Thanks for introducing me to this blog. Is this where the garden writer Pamela Harper lives?

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  6. I know you and that learning garden will truly miss the talented Queen. It is hard to move when there are wonderful friends that will be missed. May you get to visit her South Carolina home as well. :-)
    Frances

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  7. Can't wait to see what the Queen does with the new garden in South Carolina. Great pictures of a great garden.

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  8. What a treat to visit with the Queen herself as well as the tour of the Learning Garden! :)

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  9. Nice photos, and what a lovely garden. I especially like the maple/cypress combination.

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  10. Janet,
    I am looking forward to posts from your new home and garden - if you have time.

    Tina,
    I bet they will miss her!

    Stone Art,
    This was the first time I have seen S. virginica, S. marlandica is more common.

    Randy,
    No, I remain unknighted.

    Phillip,
    Yes it is just down the creek, luck at the next post.

    Frances,
    I am sure new friends will be made.

    David,
    Thanks for the comments.

    Racquel,
    I figured if you were lucky enough for a visit, I could ask too.

    Les

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  11. Garden Lily,
    I like that combination as well.

    Les

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