Hello sweet friends. I hope you are having a wonderful week. Thanks to all who checked on us Tuesday. Fortunately we had no damage. I don’t know when I have seen so much rain fall in a day’s time. Our neighbor has a rain gauge that indicated we had 4 1/2 inches over the period. Many in Alabama had storm damage and flooding, please keep them in your prayers. Spring in Alabama seems to bring on the violent weather, it is always frightening. We are so glad that our son’s new home has a safe room. That is where I will be when there are tornado warnings.
“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”
Proverbs 16:24
Let’s take a little “walk about” to see what is going on in the garden!
I took this photo on an angle looking toward the back left corner of the garden. We have tried many different annuals between the soft touch hollies, we went back to vinca this year. The newest garden ornament (frog) was purchased for EM and EK, but I wasn’t the purchaser. I am sure you can guess who was!
My Renaissance Man always prunes the panicled hydrangeas in late winter. As you can see, the vanilla strawberries are coming back strong! They grow larger than our limelights.
Most of the photos were taken yesterday morning after the torrential rain on Tuesday. The apricot drift roses look a little beaten down!
You might notice some weeds! With all the rain, they grow much faster than flowers.
Two new “fire chief” arborvitae were planted in pots and are waiting to be placed in their permanent home. This Southern Living plant grabbed my attention with its bright gold spring foliage that changes to gentle hues of orange in summer and deepens to red in the fall.
This is the second bloom on the “stairway to heaven” iris. The first bloom was shared on Sunday’s post. As I said on the post, it was a gift from a fellow blogger. She mailed it to me three or four years ago, and I had never given up hope that it would bloom! It is a beauty!
The center of the garden holds a bronze statue that is no longer a fountain. For new readers, the two story building is Butch’s workshop…
…this building is directly behind the workshop and it is storage. On the opposite side of the garden is the Sunshine Cottage. Our son says we have built a compound!
In 2019, we planted two Karl Rosenfield peonies in the raised bed by our driveway. This is the first year for blooms and only on one plant. This photo was taken early Monday morning before all the rain began.
On Tuesday morning before the rain became more intense, I ran out and cut a couple of blooms. They are a brilliant fuchsia-red color!
Also planted in 2019 was a Festiva Maxima peony. It has produced five blooms just like the Karl Rosenfield. Its blooms are large, pure white, and very fragrant. I used three of them in my Monday Morning Blooms post.
The Sarah Bernhardt was planted last year and has given us one gorgeous bloom! She was planted in a large barrel and seems to be happy living there!
You can see just beyond the flag that the Snowball Viburnums have lost their blooms. They definitely put on a show in the early spring!
Many have asked where I found the statue. It was sourced locally and came from an estate in Atlanta.
Several asked about the planter from Monday’s post and it came from the same local shop!
Our gardeners have not been feeling well and are way behind. The head gardener has pneumonia and his assistant has asthmatic bronchitis. As you can see, the zinnia and sunflower seeds have not been planted. We are hopeful that by the time the ground is dry, we will feel better. This is my first time to purchase Johnny’s Seeds and am hoping they will turn into beautiful zinnias, sunflowers, and cosmos!
Before the head gardener became sick, he removed the fence behind the Adagio maiden grasses to expand into the planned cottage garden. Let’s just say everything gardening is a little behind!
The clematis is in bloom in our small courtyard in front of the house. Thank you so much for your visit and gracious comments. Wishing you a most delightful day!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
I am so glad you are enjoying your peonies and your long awaited beautiful iris. We have had a huge amount of rain too. We got 2 1/2 inches on Monday and another 1 1/2 that night. It was great for our new sod.
With so much rain we also have had a huge amount of limbs down that have kept me very busy.
I understand about not being able to plant your seed. Hoping the two of you will feel better soon and you will have some sunshine. Please take care. Gardening can wait.
Your clematis is lovely. I have never had a pink one.
We are 13 degrees warmer than you today! That is why you can grow peonies.
Thanks so much my friend. Happy Mother’s Day!
Happy Thursday Pam! So glad you didn’t sustain any damage from all the storms. My mom and sister live in the Atlanta area and had the same torrential rain and accumulation. We had a really heavy rain late yesterday evening and I’m dreading walking out to check on the Earth Angel Rose bush what was covered with the first flush of blooms. I’m afraid they will be reduced to petal confetti. So sorry the “head gardener and his assistant” 🙂 are under the weather! I hope you both feel better soon. ♥
Thank you Mary, we are feeling stronger!
The garden is beautiful still because of the hard work by the gardener and his assistant ❤️ I m saying a prayer as I write this for complete healing for both of you. It seems storms have become more damaging and more frequent than in the past in your area. I’m thankful that your son and daughter in love has a safe room built into their home that the family can gather in. Aren’t the peonies awesome, smell, ruffles and colors? Very short lived but much loved by all. Please take care of yourselves and get well soon.
Thanks so much for your prayers and concern, Alice. We are better!
Pam, I am so sorry both of you are sick and will pray for your complete healing. We had three EF2 tornadoes touch down about 30 miles from us. We got torrential rains and so much lightning. Like your beautiful garden, everything here appreciated the good soaking but looks a little beaten down. I had just put out my Johnny’s seeds and hope they didn’t wash away! Take care of yourself, my sweet friend.
Thank you dearest Roxanne. We are better!
Lovely flowers, I hope your seeds do well.
Thanks so much, Carole!
Your garden is so lovely, even after the hard rain. I hope the two of you are feeling better soon!
We are feeling better, thank you Penny!
It’s always a joy to see your gardens. Everything look so beautiful. I just adore peonies and am so excited to see them. I do wish that they’d last a lot longer though! We had a lot of rain too, 3” on Sunday and another inch on Monday. My plants sure loved it. Take care and get well.
Thank you Liz. Happy Mother’s Day!
Isn’t it amazing what the garden can do on its own, even without the head gardener and assistant? I know you must feel the need to get out there, but I sure hope you two feel better very soon. The new arborvitae are interesting, and I absolutely love your peony and iris blooms. I’m happy you have the comfort of a safe room to go to when those scary storms come. Happy Mother’s Day, Pam.
Thank you Rita, and we are finally feeling better. I couldn’t keep Butch out of the garden yesterday.
Hope you both feel better soon.
Thank you Nancy!
I’m so sorry to hear you gardeners have been under the weather. It looks fabulous so far and as soon as you both get a clean bill of health, the next round of planting will be on its way. I love seeing the cottage behind the grasses!
Thank you Jeanie!
Oh no Pam, I am so sorry you both are ailing! I know you are anxious to get your strength back and get back in your garden…the peonies are beautiful and the iris are WOW! Everything is so green and lush, and after all the rain this week everything will surely be growing with full speed. I’m glad you had no damage, what a crazy scary day that was! Take care,
Jenna
Thank you Jenna. We are feeling stronger!
I’m actually jealous, as we are so slow to bloom anything up here. We only have had tulips and daffodils, but everything else is leafing! Gorgeous garden…and those peonies will be divine!
Thank you for the walk through in your garden. I am in need of flower therapy, after a cold winter.
get better soon.
Thank you Nonie, I enjoyed your visit!
Pam, this is a beautiful walk through your garden. I am so sorry to hear that both of you are ill and pray for a quick recovery. The iris and the peonies are so beautiful. I enjoyed every single photo. Please take care. You have a new grandson to spoil!❤️
Thank you Dianne. Happy Mother’s Day!
Happy Thursday Pam! Your peonies are stunning! And I am glad you took a picture before all the rain came. I am so happy to hear that you did not get any damage! Thank goodness!
I am praying for the both of you to feel better! Your garden misses you!
Enjoy the weekend my friend!
Thank you Nancy. We are feeling stronger and the garden definitely needs some attention!
Feel better soon! I know gardens don’t wait, they keep growing, especially the weed. Love the statue. How sweet the peony is. One of our neighbors have a peony farm. Such a beautiful garden. So glad for no damage. I spent all morning with Jain from @aquietgardenlife. Her rose garden is stunning!
Thank you Linda. How I would love to visit Jain’s garden!
Pam and Butch, in spite of your being behind in everything gardening, your garden is so very beautiful. I am so sorry to hear you two gardeners are not feeling well and will be praying for the both of you as you recover. Thank you for today’s beautiful walking tour of your garden spaces, in spite of not feeling your best. I especially loved…well, all of it!
Wonderful garden. I hope you get better soon. Sending prayers.
Thank you dearest Maristella!
Pam, I’m so sorry that you are both not feeling well. Having asthma myself, I know how awful it can be when you get a respiratory illness. It always aggravates the asthma and makes it worse, You two need to take it easy and get plenty of rest. The gardening will still be there when you are better. I’m happy to read that you will have a safe room to go to when tornado warnings are out. We had one in a previous home, and it always made me feel at ease. We are planning on having one put in this house soon. On a happier note, I always enjoy a tour around your gardens. Everything is always so beautiful! How exciting to have peonies! They are so pretty! Take care of yourself, my dear friend! I’m sending positive thoughts and hugs your way!
Thank you Shannon. We are feeling better. Thank you for your sweet comments.
So sorry you two have been sick. Praying for complete healing soon! Thanks for sharing the pictures. Everything is beautiful as always!
Thank you Beverly, we are better!
Pam, I am so sorry to hear that you and Butch are sick. Is Butch recovering at home? Pneumonia can be serious! Y’all have had a rough time! We’ll say prayers for you both. Glad you are safe also. The weather is very changeable this time of year. We had storms this afternoon. It seems we’ve had lots of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in the South this year. Glad there is a safe room in your son’s new home. Your garden is absolutely beautiful! The peonies and iris are gorgeous. Patience paid off big time. You have such an interesting coordinated garden. Our roses have been beaten down with the heavy rain as they are full of blooms. As always your garden statuary is lovely. I enjoyed the stroll thru your blooms after a busy day. Take care of yourselves sweet friends! Stay safe. Clara ❤️
Your clematis is such a beautiful color! My mother always grew them. I’m not too lucky with them but keep trying! Clara ❤️
This clematis is very old, but it keeps hanging on!
Clara, we are feeling better and stronger. Thank you for your sweet visit, I always look forward to reading your comments!
Pam, such a beautiful walk through your garden. I’m saddened to hear that both of you are ill, praying now for a complete recovery. The iris & peonies are beautiful!
Bless you sweet friend,
Jennifer ♥
Thank you Jennifer. We are feeling stronger…
Great news Pam! Praising God!
Pam, this is such a beautiful post. Your garden is lovely. It has been a labor of love for you, and it has grown into a beautiful setting. I hope that you and Butch are back to good health soon.
Thank you Patti. Sending love!
Although you may see it, these eyes see no sign of postponement or neglect in that beautiful garden. You planned it so well.
Embracing you both in prayer for healing and complete recovery. Please regain your strength before tackling the ongoing work in the garden. Today’s walk through lifted my spirits and caused a smidgeon of envy…enchanting.
Thanks so much Mary. We are both feeling better. Have a wonderfully blessed Mother’s Day!
Dear Pam, do forgive me for being so late. This has been a wild and crazy week for both of us. I am so sorry to hear you and Butch have both been sick. Do be good to yourselves and take good care. Your garden will wait on you.
I was happy to hear your son’s new home will have a safe room. Those storms are so freighting. We sat through many a hurricane in VA, and to me, they are nothing in comparison to a tornado.
I enjoyed seeing your peonies as I know you are crazy for them just like I am. Of all the peonies I have I do believe Festiva Maxima is the most fragrant. Karl Rosenfield is also a favorite because I love the silver etching around his petals. Also, so happy Stairway to Heaven is blooming, she certainly took her sweet time. Didn’t she?
Have a lovely weekend and be well soon!
Thanks so much Sandra. We are feeling better and you are so sweet to be concerned. Wishing you a lovely day my friend!
Happy Mother’s Day! Sorry to read you and Butch have been under the weather. Hope you both feel better soon and get back to your lovely gardens. The peonies, iris, and roses are doing great and are so pretty! Those rose head will pop back up quickly. Take care.
Thanks so much Judy. We are feeling stronger!
I am so sorry to hear that you have both been so ill. I am very behind in reading blog posts, so am just now finding this out. I trust the Lord has laid His healing hand on you by now and both of you are much better. Praying for you.