Winter Garden

archway view of the formal garden



winter camellia shrub with profuse flowers

My recent Thanksgiving break at Outer Banks, NC brought me a surprise which I longed to encounter: winter blooming camellias at Elizabethan Gardens.  So many varieties were showing their unique beauty just like model displays seen on nursery catalogs!  Better still, I could smell the fragrance and see the shrubs in established form with glossy leaves (they shine like polished shoe tips).

Another surprise was to learn how to prune myrtle tree French style "pollarding" : topping the branches at same spot every spring before new growth.  The tree forms unique knuckles where new growth sprouts for summer blooming branches.  The picture on top highlights the contour of a well pruned myrtle tree.  More garden views below.  Enjoy!

entrance cove to the garden

view of Atlantic ocean from garden gate

Glorious seasonal colors

Persimmon, apple, grape platter with dry fruit and nut snack try

The warm golden tones of leaves this fall provide various shades to the glorious sky canvas for all to see.  I can't help but praise our creator for the beauty of this season.   Rich color permeates the air and the harvest:--apple, persimmon, permanganate, pumpkin, grape, fig, sweet potato... plus wines and teas!  Thanksgiving greetings to all.



mix of dry and fresh leaves add interest to the arrangment



Removing the stumbling blocks for a better cup of tea

A recent article in the TeaMuse newsletter laid out five ways to remove the stumbling blocks for a better cup of tea  (take too much time to make, too much utensils involved....)  Not so!  The author did a great job in clarifying the common misconception in her delightful but convincing style.  I hereby add another tip for my blog readers: provide an inviting atmosphere and a tea corner to facilitate your tea making.