For Everything There Is a Season

Summer brought a season of grief as we mourned the loss of our father and then all too soon after, our mother gave up her long battle with dementia. With that came a season of grace as we embraced the comfort of friends, faith and family traditions. Flowers from dad’s garden were used to create tapestries on family graves for mom’s funeral. . . A long tradition of her North Carolina mountain family. 

Summer brought a season of shock and heartache as we watched the mountains of North Carolina and East Tennessee wash away and the death toll and loss climb. And followed a season of relieved thanks as, one-by-one, family members and friends were accounted for. . .alive.  

And now fall has arrived, and it is a season to plant. In the last few weeks twenty-two European Hornbeam trees (Carpinus betulus, Frans Fontaine) have been planted along the road to the barn, and under those a crazy mix of tulips: Apricot Beauty, Purple Prince, Crown of Negrita, Night Club, Menton, Kingsblood. 

This morning sixty-five inkberry Holly shrubs (Ilex glabra ‘Densa’) are being planted around the future rose beds. Inkberry is a pollinator attractor and native to our area, and we selected this 1938 cultivar for its oval, dark green leaves and toughness. If all goes as planned, we will have six feet of green protection around the roses and berry canes. The bed corners are punctuated with lilac bushes; a Syringa hybrid by Proven Winners called Bloomerang Dark Purple. We like every promised characteristic of this double-blooming shrub (especially deer résistance) and hope it will overcome its unfortunate name. 

Gardening provides hope in all seasons. Last week we cleaned out the annual beds in preparation for fall planted seeds (going to try Iceland and California poppy seeds this year.)  Last year we had poor luck with papaver and peonies which we tried growing from root stock placed directly in the beds. This year we have put both in pots with a generous amount of compost and hope to install them as healthy plants next year. We chose Papaver Helen Elizabeth, Patty’s Plum and Harlem. Our peony choices are Coral Sunset, Etched Salmon and Raspberry Charm.

In Memory of Eloise Crowder Emory, who was with us for a season too short - May 7, 1934 - September 13, 2024.

JRG

Tulip Night Club

Tulip Purple Prince

Tulip Menton

Tulip Kingsblood

Tulip Crown of Negrita

Inkberry Holly

Peony Coral Sunset

Palavar Harlem

Lilac Bloomerang by Proven Winners

European Hornbeam Frans Fontaine

Tulip Apricot Beauty