Today I will share more pictures of our pretty yard this month. Above is our big Rhododendron in the back yard next to the deck near the bird feeder area. This Rhody is ALWAYS pretty this time of year --but this year, like our Azaleas in front, it has really put on a show. (There are some advantages of lots of rain!!! Ha)
Here's a picture of the same Rhododendron taken from the yard --looking up at the huge bush. We have two more Rhododendrons --one on either side of the large one. For some reason, one of them has never bloomed. The other one is growing fast and trying to catch up with the big one.
Here's a close-up of one of the beautiful Rhododendron blooms. SO pretty!!
When George and I bought this house, we immediately looked for ground covers to add in certain areas of the yard where mowing is hard. We chose the Periwinkle (which I have shown several times in blogs), and we also chose some ENGLISH IVY. Both are invasive --so you have to control where they go ---but once they are nice and thick, they even take over all of the WEEDS.... We love that about them!!!!
Above you can see some of our ENGLISH IVY. It is so pretty this time of year. You can also see some little SIBERIAN IRISES (known by several names) which were given to us by George's Dad several years ago.
Look at this flowerbed....Do you think the Lilies have taken over????? ha ha (Can't wait 'til they bloom!!!) Poor little Pansies are still trying to poke their little heads out---but the Lilies are 'in charge' in this bed.... ha
Here's a picture of our front yard showing those gorgeous Azaleas --and also some of our MANY blooming Roses. If you look closely through the front storm door, you can see part of the Rhododendron in the backyard...
Here's a close-up of one of the Azaleas --plus some of the roses.
Finally, I saved the best 'til last. This is my favorite rose, DOUBLE DELIGHT. Most of you know that we have over 50 Rose bushes (Hybrid Teas and Grandafloras) in our yard... AND--many of them are blooming now as you can see if you click
HERE... I will share more pictures of our individual Roses in future blogs. BUT--I just had to show you Double Delight today... It smells so good also!!!!!
QUESTION: Is it just me, or do your pictures seem to be darker after uploading them into Blogger now???? Did they do something to change some settings???? I am constantly having to go back and lighten them. Geeessshhh!
Have a wonderful day and DO NOT MISS TOMORROW'S BLOG POST.
Hugs,
64 comments:
Hi Betsy. How gorgeous. I must confess, I am the A+++ killer of azaleas. I have NEVER ever succeed and keeping one alive. I have one now (somehow they keep appearing in my life) and I've put it in complete shade and I soak it every other day. I wonder if that will do it.
Gorgeous!!! Wow, your hard work had reaped such blessings for you two! What a beautiful setting to wake up to each morning. That azalea bush is incredible and I'm with you on the double delight---it is a 'double delight'! ;>)
I haven't noticed the darkening, but will pay more attention to see if that's the case.
Gorgeous shots of your yard. Just beautiful!
It IS all going on at your house now! Beautiful color everywhere. The Periwinkle you and George gave me is really starting to take root and come on strong. It had ovely little flowers earlier this spring too...
I've always loved Rhododendrons...they are just gorgeous. It's kind of amazing how many flowers you have...all very beautiful.
BTW, I haven't noticed any darkening. Maybe your monitor is out of calibration. It may be my monitor but your last picture of the rose seems too light to me.
I never had any luck with either of those bushes so it's nice to see that you can get them to put on a wonderful show!
Beautiful.I think your yard should be featured as a vacation destination for flower lovers. :)I have not noticed a change in the pictures.Love that Double Delight.Have a fabulous day.
Your grounds are looking superb Betsy!!! I haven't paid too much attention to the look of my photos lately, and it shows...sigh.
Hi Betsy, Everything is looking very nice. I especially love that rose! Hope you have a great Monday!
I don't have darkening of pictures but your blog still takes forever to load for me. We do have high speed internet though so that's not the problem and my computer is very much up to date. I just put it down to the size of the pictures. I just leave it loading and go on to something else then go back.
Having said all that, your garden is spectacular!! I think of you every time I look at our periwinkle! They are not as luscious as yours but they have a very harsh climate to deal with.
beautiful composition on the close up of the roses and azaleas. the rhody is absolutely gorgeous and i would love to have these in our yard, they do not grow down here. the rose garden is coming along beautifully.
i have not noticed any change in the uploads, could it be your screen? does it do it on George's computer also?
A gorgeous garden like yours does not tend itself - I'm sure it is a labor of love. Your soil must also be perfect for the acid loving bushes you have. Such exquisite bunch of flowers on your Rhodo - loved the close-up. So glad you are able to enjoy such loveliness! Have a great week Betsy!
Starting this week I'll be working more. One of our receptionists is having knee surgery. While she recuperates for the next 4-6 months, I'll be filling her evening and week-end shifts. Sure, it's not Pastoral Care, but I love working with our seniors and doing evening reception tends to be a lighter load. Keep me in prayer! Thanks!
Hello Betsy... nice to come by to see the beautiful flowers.. have a nice week ahead!
The azaleas and rhododendrons are fabulous. Your yard is like a picture post card
Your place is looking stunning. All that rain sure made for happy plants. And, happy plants, happy gardener!
What a short yard you have! Rhodes are SO lovely at this time of year. When I lived at the coast people had a lot of Rhodes. Up here it is lilacs as they are made of sterner stuff.
I noticed another commenter mentioned slow loading of your blog - me too - especially on my iPod.
i love your yards Betsy, they're so clean, lovely and well-maintained. those azaleas are just stunningly beautiful.
We have one beautiful azalea, which usually practically stops traffic on the road in front of our house. This year, though, because of our cold spring, it didn't bloom in all its glory. It bloomed in patches, rather than being completely covered in blooms. We've still enjoyed it, but we missed the WOW factor this year. Your rhododendron is absolutely gorgeous. I'm envious.
I am looking for ground covers to take over some hard to mow places. Think I will try both. I love the look.
You have such an amazing looking yard.
Your yard is a real show piece and all your photos are beautiful.
BTW - we too have that ridiculous rule about not having clothes lines - I just ignore it. : )
So amazingly beautiful. I don't know how you even can pick a favorite. I love seeing your pictures (and they don't seem too dark or light). Thanks for sharing.
Good Morning my friend! The flowers were such a nice welcome back from the beach which we reluctantly left yesterday. It was a wonderful trip and we enjoyed every minute, every second while there!
I love your flowers...are your Knock out roses, or do you have any of those? I am heading to the store today to get some plants and those are on my list, as well as delphiniums and coreopsis and hostas for the back yard which is shaded :)
thanks for sharing your beautiful photos :)
love and hugs,
t.
Your blooms are gorgeous. I really wish I could cover my entire yard in YOUR ground cover...so pretty!!!
Betsy, your flowers and yard are simply beautiful. I know that a lot of hard work has gone into making it so. Love the Rhody and the Double Delight is so gorgeous.
Haven't noticed any lighting issues in Blogger. Can't wait to see tomorrows post! Thanks so much for your sweet comments at my blog. Have a great day!
Beautiful flowers Betsy. The rhododendrens are gorgeous. Diane
Betsy: Your gardens are beautiful! They remind me of home: my mother's garden and the Blue Ridge Parkway. It has been many years since I've been there in spring and summer. Thanks for sharing.
Best,
Bonnie
Wonderful shots Betsy, not noticed the darker shade, tho I like pics a little darker.
What a beautiful yard, Betsy! I know ya'll work hard for it, too!!! =)
Not sure about the pics being darker, but it's something to look into...
How are ya'll doing after the storms that blew thru last night?
Your flowers are beautiful. I always look forward to your blog. It makes my day. I love rhodedendrons and azaleas, but I can't have any luck with the azaleas. Probably the soil... Susie
Betsy,that rose is truly gorgeous. I love rhododendrons and azaleas but they don't do well here. I've killed a few of both. Yours are gorgeous!!!
Have a beautiful day!!!
You are surrounded by beauty - and thankfully, you have eyes that take in and appreciate all of it!
These are gorgeous! I cannot wait til mine blooms...in blue :)
I linked your blog to mine. I hope you don't mind.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
I'm trying to bloom where I am planted. Love the zone you are in is my goal, but when I see your absolutely beautiful rhododendrons and azaleas, I long to live in a place where such beauties can be grown. At least I can see yours and sigh. They are beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Looks like waterfalls are taking a backseat this month!
Oh isn't it just such a pleasure to work on our flowers. Yours are gorgeous!!!
I love - love - love - the DOUBLE DELIGHT - it is so delicate and soft looking...
Your yard - is gorgeous! It's spectacular!!
Your pictures are pretty - and no I haven't noticed any darkening of pics.
I'm envious in such a good way!
Stunning Double Delight Rose. Your yard looks so nice right now. Azaleas are so full.
Hi Betsy, To answer your question, though I do not use Blogger but do use WordPress, I have a similar problem and always need to lighten my pictures before they go online. I love that rose of yours! I also like your Rhododendrons. Hope that crash-boom little storm this morning did not disturb you as it did my sleep. Oh well, Springtime in the South! : )
Have a wonderful day!
Doble Delight is a beautiful rose! Your whole garden is so pretty, Betsy!
Dear Betsy,
WOW, what a show-off Rhododendron! Ha! Mine bloomed much earlier and my blooms are single; is your a special 'cluster' variety? I love that the Rhodie stays green all winter!
Beautiful azaleas...you DID get alot of rain to make that much color :)
Oh, I think I caught a scent of that Double Delight rose, right off the screen...!
I am sorry to hear that George's dad isn't doing so well, emotionally. How hard it was for him to let go of his independence. I hope he can rally. My thoughts are with you.
Thanks for the Flower Power that you are sending out!
~~ hugs~~
Whoooo, you got some beauties there. Thanks for sharing them and you're right...you did save the best for last!
Your yard is gorgeous!! Our azaleas have already quit blooming. My hydrangea is trying, but it's getting so hot in the afternoon that it wilts. When we bought this house most of the yard was COVERED in English Ivy. English Ivy and privots. They might as well have covered the yard in kudzu!
The Double Delight certainly is delightful! I love it.
When we went to visit our daughter I also visited a friend in my old neighborhood. Driving past our old house I noticed the Rhododendron bush we had planted was big and gorgeous. It broke my heart because the deer here nibble one we planted and it hardly has a chance. :)
I know I've said it before many times but your yard is gorgeous!
I know it takes time too. Your and George's efforts are rewarding for all of us who enjoy seeing the beauty.
I haven't noticed darkening of my photos but I'm going to pay attention. I know it is taking blogger forever to download my pics since their maintenance.
Hope you're having a wonderful day Betsy!
Double delight is delightful!
All of your flowers are gorgeous, and the front of your home is so colorful with all of the flowers. Love it.
Hey Yall....
Your yard is beautiful....I don't think I have ever seen such a beautiful rose....It is absolutely stunning! If the fragrance is near as wonderful as the beauty of this flower, you need to bottle it!
Have a great evening..
shug
Your rhododendrons are gorgeous. they remind me of the ones that my dad used to have.
I haven't noticed anything with my pictures but I haven't paid much attention to it either.
Betsy
Your yard is a true garden of delight. Thanks for sharing it with us. Have not had any problems with photos but the ole guy has been changing type on me as I write. Peace
What beautiful color! I know I keep going on about the color, but I don't have any here and am taking serious notes so I can landscape in the fall after all the new siding is on!
Vol Fan LOVES a rhododendron!!
You have such a pretty yard, Betsy! So many lovely blooms to look at! What a wonderful time of year this is.
Betsy, your yard is SO pretty! Love the Rhododendron and the Roses!!
I wanted to pop back in and thank you for your nice comments on mine and it give me an excuse to look at your beautiful flowers again... Thanks again.. Susie
YOUR YARD IS BEAUTIFUL AS USUAL BETSY. ALL MY AZALEAS AND RHODYS ARE LONG GONE NOW IN ALL THE HEAT WE'VE HAD. ALL THAT RAIN COMING THIS WAY HAS MANAGED TO GO AROUND US. BUT I;M GLAD WE'VE NOT HAD ANY TERRIBLE STORMS SO FAR,I'M SURE OUR TURN IS COMING.
HAVE A BLESSED TOMORROW
MARILYN
Beautiful landscaping! Frankie's azaleas are just about gone by now, the knockout roses just starting to bloom and lilies still forming bud. our azaleas were extraordinarily lush this year, too!
Betsy, your yard is beautiful. The azaleas and rhododendron are absolutely gorgeous. I love the Double Delight rose, in fact all of your roses. I am still waiting for buds to show up on my bushes.
I haven't noticed any difference in the photos. It could be your monitor as some above suggested. I have noticed when I change my background color the photos look different, maybe you aren't used to the new color yet.
Just an fyi, your page loads fast for me.
You should be charging us admission for these tours like they do at the Biltmore! it is definitely worth it.
Okay, darn it!! Where's the 'scratch and sniff' button??? Double Delight is one of my favorites, too!
And we have a pair of nest blue birds in our bird house and really loud peeping babies!!
Hmmmm...wonder what you are going to post about tomorrow??? Sounds like it might be interesting.
I love all your flowers!
Just wanted to drop by with a hug for you. Have a Blessed week...m...
Love your rhodie and azaleas too... beutiful as always! My first large leaf rhododendron is just stating to show blossom color ... Larry
Beautiful flowers and landscaping, The 'Double Delight'
rose is lovely. I like the idea of ground cover with a pretty flower such as the periwinkle.
I love that last rose....so gorgeous!
Post a Comment