Late Summer in My Garden

The heat is unbearable these days. As I peer out from the windowsto my garden from the air-conditioned living areas of my home, I realize that the garden reflects me in the late summer! The garden and I are both hot, thirsty, tired, and disorganized. We all both longing for a cool drink of water and a long nap as the new school year begins. However, in the midst of this angst is beauty that doesn't surface until now. Black-eyed susans, night blooming daturas, and a zipper spider compete for my attention tonight at sunset.

Late May

kniphofia (red hot pokers)

monardo (bee balm)

Louisiana flag iris


yarrow

As May eases into June, baptisia and dahlias yield to yarrow, monardo, red hot pokers and a few late irises. Next up: echinacea, lavender, yellow red hot pokers, and more yarrow.

A Cutting Garden

My garden was designed and planted nine years ago by Ed Steffek, the creator of the Blomquist Native Plants area of the Duke Gardens. Upon moving to Durham in 2000, we purchased a spec home in a brand new neighborhood which happened to be situated on a lot on which a wetlands ditch ran all the way across the front lawn. I was introduced to Ed by a friend and asked him to turn a ditch into a babbling brook. Ed transformed the lawn. In addition to a babbling brook, Ed wanted me to have a cutting garden as well. This time of year, my house if filled with several vases of flowers from the garden. Ed died suddenly a few months after completing my garden. I think of him often in the spring.

The Day In Between

The day in between Good Friday and Easter Sunday always feels odd to me. I want to say that "Christ is risen, He is risen indeed." But that is for tomorrow. And so today, I focused on cleaning my studio and then moved out to the garden where I cleared away dead material around the perennials so that the new green shoots have room to breathe. I am envious of my garden and studio. There is room to breathe. I want to breathe! I long to be made new.

Luna's Garden

Very early yesterday morning, I drove to Luna's studio to paint in her garden for two hours. It has been nearly three years since I left the world of water color to frolic in the world of collage and my rusty skills show it! It was freeing; however, to be forced to paint very quickly outside and to paint without drawing. I needed the freedom to explore the medium again.

Light the Darkness

Datura! A beautiful, pristeen, nightblooming flower in my garden. I had the good fortune to be home tonight in time to photograph the initial bloom of the season. I am eager to draw and paint the blossom.

May in the Garden

School is out in four weeks AND my garden appears to be as excited about this fact as I am!