Today we’re in Ilion, New York, visiting with Lee. We’ve been to Lee’s garden before (Lee’s Backyard Escape), and it is great to be back to see more of it.
Here in the Mohawk Valley in central New York, we are over the winter hump and a month away from those early plants pushing up and flowering. I have plenty of planting to do, as always—an exercise that pays off handsomely. I am providing some additional pictures for submission, hoping to catch a few eyes and maybe bring some enjoyable anticipation for others for this coming season.
I wish your team and all of your viewers a great growing and flowering season. I have found one thing in common among growers—we all possess positive energy that has the ability to “travel” from one person to another. I’ve never seen a grumpy gardener. I am sure that others find great joy in their own world and for all of those who visit and experience our escape and our Heaven on Earth.
We all need a respite when we can totally let go, and after four decades of gardening, this is that respite for me. I find great enjoyment in viewing others’ gardens and creations just as much as mine. It has a way of bringing us together without ever actually meeting.
My sun-rain room will be finished this season, bringing another dimension to the overall landscape. It’s a see-through room, with all glass front and rear, so one can be anywhere outside and see the trout stream behind the room. It’s basically made from old hemlock fencing and barn board that I planed. I added great character and function with six panes of 4×6 hockey glass from the Adirondack Bank Center, home of the Utica Comets.
One piece of glass had a different plan after having been installed for over a year. Ever see shattered hockey glass? Ha. I added a picture of that for a “wow” effect with a lily still showing from the outside.
Dahlia (Dahlia × variabilis, Zones 9–11 or as a tender bulb) flowers blooming by the pool
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia, Zones 3–9) and other perennials surround the pool area with flowery beauty
Bumblebees love purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea, Zones 3–8) even more than humans do!
A stunning oriental lily (Lilium hybrid, oriental group, Zones 5–9)— I wish the incredible fragrance could be photographed!
Honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.) covered in beautiful orange flowers
Have a garden you’d like to share?
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
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