SAGBUTT Reunited and on tour!

 Oh happy day when you have the opportunity to gather with a fabulous bunch of gardeners eager to share stories and make new ones. After a months long hiatus, SAGBUTT (Seattle Area Garden Bloggers United to Talk) met at my home to catch up with familiar faces and meet a couple new ones! And thanks to Kit at Gardener's Roost, we had the added joy of visiting the gardens of some NHS board members, including the zany Ciscoe Morris, who entertains and informs with much loved theatrics.

 As expected, his garden was packed with vibrant, eye-catching foliage and flowers. Plenty of eye candy to make this gardener think "oh la la!"

Much to my delight, there were several Oakleaf Hydrangea tucked throughout Ciscoe's garden.

The man himself, sharing garden wisdom with SAGBUTT members.

On hand for good food and great fun was Kit, Paula at Petunia's Garden,  Catherine of A Gardener in Progress, Alison over at Bonney Lassie, Molly of Life on Tiger Mountain, Julia of Polka Dot Galoshes and Yvonne. Not a bad showing for getting the gang back together on a whim. And it wasn't just all play, we got down to business and roughed out a gathering "schedule" to take us into December 2012. Next month is a tour of Seattle area P-patches, and in October we' ll visit Soos Creek Botanical Garden in Auburn followed by Volunteer Park Conservatory in November. If you don't want to miss out, be sure to join our group on Facebook for more details on gatherings and impromptu meetups.

The only things thriving in my garden ...

Yup, children. The children and the chickens are the only things thriving in my garden this year. The rest is overgrown, under watered or just plain dead. So of course I'm a bit nervous about hosting a handful of local garden bloggers in, oh, 10 hours. But it will be good to talk about gardening and find out what everyone else is doing in their gardens.
So far this is who says they're coming: Paula at Petunia's Garden,  Catherine of A Gardener in Progress, Alison over at Bonney Lassie, Molly of Life on Tiger Mountain, Kit from Gardener's Roost, plus Yvonne and Julia.

It will be good to catch up and compare garden notes, or lack thereof. I have to say the handful of times I've gathered with this group, SAGBUTT for those unfamiliar, I've always had a fabulous time and came away inspired and rejuvenated. It's a wonderful thing to meet up with great people and fun gardeners! Over a couple years, the group has met at Molly's home, as well as Daniel's farm, the Center for Urban Horticulture, and Washington Park Arboretum. And this time around, Kit has graciously invited the group to tour some gardens associated with the Northwest Horticultural Society, so the day will just keep getting better.

Growing a Gardener

Big Brother picked carrots the other day, then washed AND peeled them while I was still outside.

It's moments like these that I cherish our garden even more. It not only provides us with wonderful food but offers such an array of teaching tools and moments, often without us even trying.

Spring Fling - Just Pictures

Day 2 of the Garden Bloggers' Fling in Seattle had me realizing what a wonderful treat it has been to be invited to tour private gardens I have only ever seen in magazines. Each garden is unique and beautiful in it's own way, and all provide a visual feast that I happily gobbled up. And now I'm pooped. and have only the energy to share just a smattering of what today's first garden offered.

Variegated Hellebore

This garden by Michelle and Christopher Epping was gorgeous and just plain delightful to meander through, discovering its many treasures.

This inspires me to incorporate more statues in my garden.

 The lovely Jayme Jenkins of aHa! Modern Living gets caught in my attempt at photographing a territorial hummingbird among the Crocosmia. Do you see it?

Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisema)

Striking color combination

A view of the garden from above

It's a Fling Thing!

A place to rest among the trees

The Garden Bloggers Fling kicked off in Seattle with beautiful weather and breathtaking gardens as garden bloggers from around the country, (as well as Canada and England!), converged on the Emerald City. After visiting two private gardens and Dunn Gardens, then a rendezvous at Ravenna Gardens I am in much need of some rest. But alas, a quick update is a must!

Hours could be spent wandering the garden of Jim and Suzette Birrell. There are delightful surprises tucked in, under and behind all corners of this lovely space that features a wonderful mix of edible and ornamental. Most of my time was spent furiously snapping photos with my mouth agape, in awe at the size of many plants. When asked how she does it, Suzette replies "Compost! Compost! Compost!"

Coneflower

Blueberry bushes the size of VW Bugs

Lovely contrast with garden art

Crocosmia

A sink top overflowing shade lovers, including Japanese Painted Fern

Good times were had by all. Many more expected before this Fling is finished!

Thanks for a wonderful first day!! More to come ...

Ho Hum .. Oh hey!

Thank goodness Mother Nature has more stamina than I because my garden would be a barren waste land if it wasn't for her. Both time and energy have been elusive creatures since having baby brother LAST YEAR! Yup, it's almost a year since his arrival and I've done zilch in the garden. Actually longer when counting the last few months plus the extra weeks he decided to hang out ... But I digress.
Alas, I'm happy that anything is happening in the garden despite my inattention. I have to say some plants look the best they have in years, which is a sign that I maybe was loving them too much. This Honeysuckle vine is fairing quite well after being left alone for once.

Poppies are one of my go-to plants in the front yard. These lovely perennials give the garden a burst of color throughout the summer. They aren't garden thugs that can take over an area, and despite what I've read I've had luck transplanting new starts.

Astilbe continues to thrive in the back garden along the house. Notice the new color on the ol' homestead? Yup, I went with read rather than sticking to the typical PNW pallet of greens, blues or tans. I enjoy how the plants pop against this backdrop and it will be a warm welcoming site in our many months of drizzle.

The front garden really took off just in the last two weeks. Despite the patchwork of quack grass, I'm enjoying how the daisies, Lupine and Heuchera have filled in around my Weeping Cherry.

Finally! A real Peony bloom. 'Nuf said!!