A Southern Garden

We have been friends for many years with a couple who enjoy gardening as much as we do.  It is always a pleasure to visit with them and see what is blooming in their garden, and see their lovely home.

During one of our visits I asked them if I could take some pictures.  They did not mind at all. When I sent them the pictures via email, they shared the pictures with their daughter, who in turn created a very pretty picture book which she gave to her Dad on Father's Day.  He is the main garden enthusiast in the family and has created such a lovely garden all around their home.

It was delightful to drive up to their gate and see the long line of beautiful blooming azaleas.

I love to look at their lovely home through the azaleas.  It always reminds me of what England must look like when driving up and getting a first glimpse of an English Manor House.

 There is a long winding driveway leading up to the home with azaleas lining the side yard
all along the way.

In the below photo notice the English looking boxwood plants lining the front flower bed.  

I think they are so cute.

I love the simple uncluttered look to the front yard.

The oak trees in the front yard were planted when they built the home a little over thirty years ago.

A better view of the 30 year old oak tree in the front yard.

Again, in the below photo you can see the nicely pruned boxwoods.

As we walk around to the back yard it was delightful to see the Kanzan Cherry tree in bloom.  The Kanzan Cherry tree is one of the most ornamental of all of the cherry trees.  When in bloom it has deep pink double flowers about 2.5 inches wide growing in clusters.

They have had this beautiful Kanzan Cherry tree for many years. 

Kanzan Cherry

The  blossoms of this Kanzan Cherry tree remind me of clusters of Carnations.

On the back patio wall we see a beautiful flowering Clematis Vine.

Clematis

They say it can take several years for a Clematis Vine to mature and begin flowering vigorously.  So,  it is suggested to shorten the waiting time, it is best to purchase a potted plant that is at least two years old.  It is also recommended to plant a Clematis Vine in a sunny spot and a well-drained area.

A short distance away from the Kanzan Cherry tree is this happy faced statue in a water fountain.

On the day we visited, the wild azaleas were in full bloom.  Some call them native azaleas. Often times you can spot native azaleas growing wild in the woods.  Our local nurseries do have them in stock.  The survival planting zone is from 7 - 9.  Once these native azaleas are nicely established they require very little care.  They do need about at least a half day of sunshine and a well drained spot in order to survive nicely.

Native Azalea

As we continued walking around the yard and enjoying all the beautiful plants 

the below pine tree caught my eye.

As I walked around this tree and looked on the other side I spotted this HUGE vine going up all the way into the tree top.  Did you guess a Wisteria vine?  Well, if you did you are correct.  Our friends said this vine was planted over 30 years ago.  The vine was not blooming now but I can just imagine the sight it must be when it is blooming.

An amazingly 30 year old Wisteria vine.

I thought it was somehow so touching to see how this vine held on so completely to the pine tree it was surrounding.  And, apparently the pine tree and the Wisteria vine both were doing well together and living in complete harmony.

That is one huge vine!

Growing up, up and up.

Growing way up into the top of the pine tree.

As I was walking away from the tree I noticed in the below photo this additional root of the Wisteria vine in the ground trailing off into the distance.

Below is a photo of a blooming Wisteria vine taken during a trip to Charleston, South Carolina.  I wanted to include a blooming Wisteria vine so you could imagine what that above pine tree must look like when the Wisteria vine is blooming all the way up the tree.

Wisteria

Continuing our walk around the gardens it was endearing to spot the tree-house which was built for the two daughters when they were very young.  Now the grandchildren love to play there when they come to visit.

Wish I could tell you the name of this pretty little white flower, but I forgot to ask them during our walk around the garden.

Azaleas

Circling back around to the front yard we saw this beautiful red azalea.

A beautiful statue in the side Secret Garden area.

Phlox

Phlox plants are easy to grow and do well in hardiness zones 2 - 9.

They require full to part sun.

Lily of the Nile

Hardiness zone for Lily of the Nile is 8 - 11.

They require a rich, well-drained soil area and grow 2 feet tall and from 2 - 4 feet wide.

In the below photo Southern Living calls this plant Spring's most elegant flower shrub. These bushes can grow into 12 - 20 feet tall trees and the blooms are 6 - 8 inches across.  These plants require full to part shade and can be grown in zones 5 - 8.  The blossoms look very much like Hydrangea blossoms and they make a beautiful and long-lasting addition to an inside cut arrangement. 

Japanese Snowball

That ends our walk around a beautiful private Tallahassee garden.  It is always a pleasure to visit with our friends here in their beautiful garden and to share an appreciation together in the wonderful beauty all around us.

It was especially nice to have you come walk along with us as we all enjoyed the amazing beauty the good Lord has given to all of us to enjoy.

Wishing you many blessings as we all enjoy the rest of the week.