Plant of the Week:
The Bougainvillea
This was the very first one I saw, near entrance to the house where we stayed in Tryall. Grandson Chip is doing a rain dance.
Who thinks about this plant in the middle of spring? People who go on spring break, that’s who.
The brightly colored bracts of this plant really go my attention, and though I failed to take a proper photo of them, the tiny while flowers did too. I don’t think I had ever noticed them before.
Here’s a good photo that I found on Amazon. If you follow the link, you can buy seeds!
This is how I thought the Bougainvilleas looked their best: vining over an arbor.
Oh wait, I am smarter than I look. When I took these two photos I was marveling at the raindrops and didn’t realize that there were little flowers visible in both of these photos. The bright papery bracts are what get your attention first.
Bougainvillea is a great annual to try over the course of the summer, unless you live in a tropical zone, in which case you can grow them all year long, easily, thoughtlessly, and habitually.
Artist Karen Blair
You heard me mention my friend Karen Blair on the pod. Karen is a local Charlottesville artist who sponsors Into the Garden with Leslie
Have a look at what Karen can do— she worked with one of my listeners, Anne Brooks Rudzki, of Capital Roots Containers, and created this beautiful commission of Anne Brook’s garden.
Jenny Williams of the Laundry Garden
Jenny is a mostly self-taught gardener who loves collaborating with her like-minded husband on how to add more beauty to their space.
I first started looking at @thelaundrygarden feed on Instagram a few months ago and what pulled me in was, among other things, the blue door to the walled garden that I always want to look behind.
Jenny Williams and her husband Tom have created this magnificent creation from scratch, adding and editing and taking advantage of the parameters, literally a wall.
But the garden extends beyond the wall and real and virtual visitors alike can bask in the beauty of the Clwydian mountain range, which is a backdrop to this amazing garden.
Don’t you just want to go in there? Of course you do. .
So many vignettes to enjoy.
Here’s another, and visitors who stay in the Retreat (a bed and breakfast) that they have created get to enjoy the garden during their stay.
Following Jenny on Instagram is like being transported. You will feel like you know her garden and many times when you visit it, you are bathed in sunsets, sunrises, rainbows, the most beautiful ethereal frosts, and always beautiful music.
Coffee Time!
Please consider supporting Into the Garden with Leslie by buying me a cup of coffee.
OR! Becoming a member of I’m into the Garden too!
I will send you some LH Gardens gear if you become a member!
The Play List
Historic Garden Week
It’s the NINETIETH year of Historic Garden Week, a state-wide tour that provides tons of beautiful homes and gardens to see, but more importantly, tons of dollars for restoration projects all over the Commonwealth. This year it runs April 15-22.
Here are some links for you.
The Charlottesville-Albemarle portion of the tour features:
April 15 Morven. Day of ticket sales only, bought at Morven. $20 cash or check. Hours are 10-5
April 16 Three private homes in the North Garden area. Tickets must be bought ahead and online here. Hours are from 10-5.
April 17 The University of Virginia. All of the eastern pavilions and gardens will be open along with Carr’s Hill and the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers. There will be tours of the MEL at 11:00 and 1:00. No tickets are necessary for these events. Hours are 11-3
Next Episode:
Kate of The Blooming’ Truth
Kate is a passionate Monarch cheerleader, and she has assembled a group of like minded Instagram buddies to talk about how to support them— @MonarchMessegers.
Join us as we chat about our favorite butterflies, Kate’s flower farm, and gardening in general!