Thursday, August 4, 2022

LAST OF OUR PHOTOS FROM GREEN SPRING GARDENS ON 7-21-22

 These are the last photos from our walk around the garden on July 21st.  We are at the top of the garden but did not follow the path all the way around the green.  We kept to the right and meandered back to the car.  
The garden was open and they had an extra volunteer.
Hulk put in an appearance and was getting ready to jump off the front of this garden vehicle.  He gets around but he looked a bit grumpy.  I think the heat was getting to him too.   This guy needs a gallon of water!  Yes, I am empathizing!
This pretty looks like a large thistle, called a Cardoon.  Other names are Artichoke thistle, Globe artichoke, Prickly artichoke and Cardy, with a botanical name of Cynara cardunculus.  Apparently its taste has an artichoke flavor, though slightly bitter.  It has always been one of my favorites to photograph, in every stage.
The Cardoon was first brought to the United States by Spanish and French settlers in the middle of the 19th century.
Sicily is one of the few places where the stalks of certain types of thistles are consumed, and their dish is called carduna, which you can see here.
It seemed to be very popular with the bees, and both Gregg and I had fun taking several photos.
Many nutritional facts about Cardoon can be found here.
Another flower in bloom was the Lance-leaved coreopsis.  You may know it as Lanceleaf coreopsis, Sand coreopsis, Lanceleaf tickseed, Garden coreopsis and Lance coreopsis.  The botanical name is Coreopsis lanceolata.
Native to eastern United States, it has spread around the world.  A perfect flower for new gardeners as it is low maintenance and produces a mass of flowers in the second year.  Since it has a weedy tendency, gardeners are advised to keep an eye on it to prevent it from becoming too overwhelming.
This interesting plant is called the Rattlesnake master!  I couldn't find out why it was called that, but other names are Button snake-root, Bear grass, Button eryngo and Bear's grass.  Botanical name Eryngium yuccifolium.
It is drought tolerant and erosion resistant.  Super easy to take care of.  The leaves of this coarse plant have been used by Native Americans to create both baskets and sandals.  Monarch butterflies love the nectar from its flower, giving them nutrients to complete their yearly migration south.
I will leave you with one last photo from the garden from where we started, looking at the Sacred Lotus.
It was a wonderful walk!  We have had several days of high heat and thunderstorms, so I haven't been out too much lately.  I look forward to sharing other favorite walking areas with you very soon.






42 comments:

  1. Thank you for yet another fascinating outing with the two of you.

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    1. You are very welcome Sue, I am happy you enjoyed :)

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  2. What gorgeous flowers! The Rattlesnake one is very weird, and not that pretty. But interesting!

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  3. Such a beautiful garden. I've always liked the look of thistle so that first one is my favorite.

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    1. It is I agree, thank you Ann. I love that thistle also :)

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  4. I love the thistle in the shadows best (purple!! lol).

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    1. Thanks Anni, shadows add a lot of depth to photos, and the purple too :)

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    1. Fico muito feliz que tenha gostado das minhas fotos. Obrigada! Um abraço e continuação de boa semana :)

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  6. Hello,
    Lovely walk and beautiful flowers. It is hard to go out on these hot and humid days.
    Take care, have a happy day!

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    1. Thank you Eileen, it is indeed. You take care and have a happy day also :)

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  7. your flowers are always so perfect and sharp and clear and beautiful. I am loving the cardoon. I did find this online. might be true might not.
    Rattlesnake master gets its common name from the erroneous belief that the roots of this plant could be used to cure rattlesnake bites.Jul 15, 2015

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    1. Thank you Sandra, that sounds veery likely. I read the article and it sounds fascinating. Appreciate you finding all that information for me :)

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  8. It certainly WAS a wonderful walk. That thistle is beautiful.

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  9. You certainly know your plants. You give more than great photo but lots of information on the plant.

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    1. Hi Red, some I know, others not so much and I appreciate my plant app :) I am always curious about the details too :)

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  10. The prickly flower is so pretty. You took a lot of nice photos of that. What a wonderful place these gardens are for you to visit, Denise. Looks like such a peaceful place. In my hometown, I used to visit the rose garden often, and I really miss that. The Lotus is lovely as well. I am wondering how the Native Americans made baskets and sandals out of that prickly plant. That's a great photo you took of it.

    Happy August Denise!

    ~Sheri

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    1. Thank you Sheri :) I would have enjoyed seeing the process regarding those baskets and sandals.

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  11. Great pics. That garden looks amazing.

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    1. Thank you Pam, it certainly is one of our favorites :)

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  12. I have just glanced back at your latest entries - what a beautiful place and of course great photos. Hope all is well Diane.

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    1. Thank you Diane, all is well here and I hope the same for you.

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    1. Thank you very much and it is lovely to meet you :)

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  14. It certainly does look a very nice garden.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you Jan, it is always a pleasure to visit :)

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  15. A lovely place.

    Hulk just wants to be left alone.

    And smash. Hulk smash.

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    1. Thanks William, Hulk needs to take a chill pill, lol!

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  16. Glad you could walk the garden back in July. Lots of great information about the plants you saw. We are cooling down for a few days and then getting high heat again at the beginning of the week. Stay cool until you can walk again!

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    1. Thank you Ellen :) I will and enjoy your cooler weather.

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  17. There is tickseed coreopsis in my yard and I almost cut it down but then it started to bloom so I can’t bear to cut it. I hope the HOA does not complain.

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    1. I can understand Linda, it is such a pretty flower. Good luck with the HOA :)

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  18. Beautiful photos. My favorites are that yellow rattlesnake master flower and the first thistle one with the bees.

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    1. Thank you Great Granny G :) Those are two good ones, I like them :)

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