Winterberry holly. An easy arrangement.



Winterberry holly makes an arrangement all on its own. This branch of Ilex verticillata (winterberry holly) will last about 4 weeks, and longer if it is kept in a cool place.  If you want to grow this deciduous type of holly in your garden for the berries, remember to plant at least one male ( good variety here in TN is called  'Jim Dandy') along with as many females as you want. Sounds unfair, but, that's the plant world for you.



Brentwood's first snow of 2010

We woke up to a lovely, light snow falling on our 'Mary Nell' holly outside. It is December 5TH and this marks Brentwood's first snowfall of 2010. Now it feels like winter.



If you have not met him yet, this is George. George came all the way from Charleston, SC, from a wonderful place called Hyam's Garden Center. On days like this we think George might be feeling a little bit homesick for warmer weather, however, pretty soon his pansies will begin to bloom and he is always rather proud of those. So, as William Shakespeare said,"All's well that ends well."



Colors in November

November got away from me before I could catch up. Here are some photos from our neighborhood during the month.

Ginkgo tree

Maple, October Glory



Pyracantha



Ginkgo biloba makes you feel good.

Ginkgo biloba grows well in almost every part of the world. It certainly seems to like Middle Tennessee. The fan shaped leaves are a lime green in spring and turn a lovely yellow in fall. Some people take supplements of ginkgo biloba in their diet. I am not sure what that does for you, however, just looking at this tree makes me feel good.

First signs of Fall



The answer to the previous post is SWEET AUTUMN CLEMATIS and we had three winners! Alex, Judy and Simone. "Good on ya" as Simone would probably say. Thanks and keep posted for more quizzes.

What a welcome sight these gorgeous burning bushes ( Euonymous alatus) are after the hot summer we have had. Sometimes called winged euonymous, these shrubs are drought and heat tolerant. Fall is a good time to plant them too.



Guess This Vine

See if you can name this plant. The answer will be on the next post. Good luck. I will give you a chance to drive by on Williamsburg Rd. before I give the answer. Come on neighbors, someone can get this one right.

Nashville's Whitland Neighborhood is worth the drive.

I often like to take a drive through neighborhoods to look at the gardens & architecture and consciously make a note about which details make a difference to the 'feel' of the neighborhood or the 'curb appeal'.

Whitland Neighborhood is endowed with plenty of curb appeal.  Like Meadowlake, Whitland Neighborhood in West Nashville, is an older neighborhood with many of the advantages of mature trees, established gardens and human scale architecture that create the foundation for the charming atmosphere that newer subdivisions often strive to achieve.

Lucky for us, we are invited to come inside some of its' homes and gardens.  For more info. on this click on Whitland Neighborhood Home Tour and save Sept. 25 & 26 on your calendar for a nice day out.

Rose of Sharon memorable yet not remembered.

I can't imagine an easier way to have flowers in the garden here in hot summer. Althea, or commonly called rose of sharon, is that plant.

Along with the pineapple it makes any southerner feel welcome. If you look up rose of sharon in wikipedia the references are endless. Everyone has a memory of them. Why then do we forget to plant one in our garden? It is a mystery.

Snow ball Viburnum opulus sterile is a southern beauty.

This 'snow ball bush' as it is commonly called here in the south is just another of the beautiful plants we see on a drive through our quiet neighborhood.

Crape Myrtles make a nice 'welcome' feeling to a driveway.

Crape myrtles also grow well in our heat.

Furry Garden Helper

Meet Max. He is the kind of kitty anyone would be proud to have helping in the garden.

Movin' on down the road.

I noticed today that the truck was missing, but, the house was still there waiting to move on down the road. I wonder if the driver knows that he has left without it? We will soon see.

Arts and Crafts Style

This newly constructed home on Williamsburg Road is a beautiful example of Frank Lloyd Wright's style and reminiscent of the Arts and Crafts Movement. What a beauty!

Another great home with the Arts and Crafts Style, this home has been lovingly tended for many years. The landscaping softens the home in the way that Frank Lloyd Wright suggested this , "  No house should ever be on a hill or on anything. It should be of the hill. Belonging to it. Hill and house should live together each the happier for the other.

Frank Lloyd Wright
 
 

Southern Charm

Meadowlake is one of those neighborhoods that just feels good doesn't it? This charming home looks cool even on the hottest days.

Style all it's own.

We watched as, brick by brick, the house here on Meadowlake Road was cautiously dismantled and  then carefully re-built into this colorful, fresh, style of it's own.

Now we are all watching and waiting to see what they have in mind for the outside garden. We all want you to know that we love the look and can't wait to see what you have in mind, no matter how long it takes.

Flowers from a neighbor

Last year, our next door neighbors, Rick and Vangie, gave us a start from their siberian iris. I have heard that you are not supposed to say thank you when someone shares a plant with you, so, let me just say, " We LOVE this new addition to our garden and what a pretty color it is too."

Look who blew in with the rain.

This pretty little Baltimore Oriole must wonder where he is after such a turbulent ride. We haven't seen him in Brentwood before today, however, upon reading about B. O. 's they breed here in Spring and Summer. Thanks little guy. You really perked up our day today.

Rain by Shel Silverstein

Rain by Shel Silverstein



I opened my eyes
And looked up at the rain,
And it dripped in my head

And all that I hear as I lie in my bed
Is the slishity-slosh of the rain in my head.

 

I step very softly,

I walk very slow,

I can't do a handstand--

I might overflow,

So pardon the wild crazy thing I just said--

I'm just not the same since there's rain in my head.

Rain by Shel Silverstein

Curb Appeal comes in many forms.

 This fresh color rendering and lovely new shutters add so much warmth to this cosy home. This homeowner did a great job with picking up color in the nandinas at the doorway as well.

 Clean lines and new colors update this ranch from ho-hum to WOW.

 The light, subtle shades on this home make it a cheerful addition to the neighborhood. The charming , arched, front door and portico catch my eye every time I pass.

Sometimes simple touches are the best. The stone work at the front porch area and the new front door and shutters have transformed this lovely home from Ranch Style to Craftsman.

Teddy Bear's Picnic

If you go down to the woods today

You're sure of a big surprise.

If you go down to the woods today

You'd better go in disguise.

For ev'ry bear that ever there was

Will gather there for certain, because

Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

Ev'ry teddy bear who's been good

Is sure of a treat today.

There's lots of marvelous things to eat

And wonderful games to play.

Beneath the trees where nobody sees

They'll hide and seek as long as they please

Cause that's the way the teddy bears have their picnic.

If you go down to the woods today

You'd better not go alone.

It's lovely down in the woods today

But safer to stay at home.

For ev'ry bear that ever there was

Will gather there for certain, because

Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

Picnic time for teddy bears

The little teddy bears are having a lovely time today

Watch them, catch them unawares

And see them picnic on their holiday.

See them gaily gad about

They love to play and shout;

They never have any care;

At six o'clock their mummies and daddies,

Will take them home to bed,

Because they're tired little teddy bears.

Annuals are out in full force. It is finally pretty safe to plant tender annuals.

Geraniums brighten up any landscape. Over the years plants come and go, in and out of favor and popularity. Geraniums are always a favorite. They are easy to grow here in the South.

New gardens take a LOT of work!

A lot has been going on at the Farrell's house lately. This is Grace doing one of her many jobs...weeding. Good Job Grace!

A little bit of romance.

So simple. So nice. The only rhododendron that really does OK in this area is one called 'PJM'. These rhodys are planted on the North side of the house where they get half-a-day shade. Growing rhododendrons is not for the faint-hearted.

Cherry trees are such a cheerful addition to any landscape.

The white coloration on this weeping cherry is a good contrast to the red brick and evergreens that frame it.

This sweet weeping cherry is perfect in this location.

These two 'yoshino' cherry trees welcome visitors every Spring here in Meadowlake.

Japanese Maple

 I can't imagine a nicer place to sit and have a cup of coffee. Can you?

Rick and Vangie's Japanese maples are a beautiful sight. They add color to their garden for three seasons a year.

Iris(es) need dividing if the rhizomes are below the surface of the soil.

Our hardworking HOA president, Cindy, cleans out her iris bed. She knows that allowing the rhizomes to see sunlight will bring on more blooms.

This is a good example of a healthy and beautiful iris bed on Williamsburg Road.

This iris bed is lovely as a natural focal point in front of this home on Seward Rd.

Wisteria in all it's glory.

This wisteria is blooming on Meadowlake Road. It has been a particularly good spring for wisteria. Remember to trim back after it blooms to keep it in control and to promote another showing of spectacular blossoms later in the season.

Cold Frame

It is hard to believe that a frost may still happen this late into April, but, it can. Keep a close eye on tender plantings for a few more weeks. Plants like tomatoes still need a little help against frost damage.

Wisteria is already in bloom in Meadowlake. Warmer than normal temperatures have brought on gorgeous blooms.