"If you would know strength and patience, welcome the company of trees."
We visit many times during the year. It is more difficult in the hot and humid months, but until then we make the most of our walks. The large tree is the Sweet Chestnut tree and is a favorite in the garden.
Native to China, did you know that Peonies could live for one 100 years? They have been around since 1000 BC.
The following is Autumn Sage, botanical name Salvia greggii. It is native to Texas Hill Country and Southwest Texas. I was happy to find it at Green Spring Gardens. The name is interesting considering it starts blooming in March, and in fact blooms in spring, summer and fall.
The produce garden is always of interest. I made the collage in the next trio of photos. The Chocolate Mint is on the left, and Black Snakeroot is on the right.
Black Snakeroot whose botanical name is Cimicifuga racemosa, is also called Black Cohosh and is a perennial native to eastern North America. It is found in a variety of woodland settings from Main, south to Georgia and west to Missouri and Arkansas.
Chocolate mint is a hybrid variety of mint and is native to Europe and the Middle East. Its botanical name is Mentha x piperita f. citrata 'Chocolate'.
It is a perennial and can grow up to 3' in height. It will even survive deep frosts if well mulched, going dormant over winter.
These are the Mock strawberry, also known as False strawberry, Yellow-flowered strawberry and Indian strawberry. Botanical name Potentilla indica. Often confused with the strawberries we know well, as they are so similar. While the mock strawberry is edible, it generally lacks flavor compared to the true strawberry. It is native to North America. It was considered good luck by multiple Native American people to have strawberries in their homes.
I found this cute picture on pixabay.com and knew it was coming on here. I also saw a cute little dog with her humans at the garden. Not to speak to this time but I did note that her name was Ellie. Ellie and her humans were looking off into the distance.
We came across the rock cairn as we made our way down to the two ponds. Someone had gone to a lot of trouble to build it. I don't think it was any of the staff. With all the children - and dogs - going on their walks, I'm almost certain it will be dismantled. They looked heavy but one bump and they could come down on someone. There is a website at the National Park Service here. They are popping up all over the place. The rules change from park to park, and they are asking that we check the website if we are inclined to build one, to see if it’s permissible. Some are used to mark trails.
That's all for today. Thank you for visiting and
as always, have a very enjoyable day.
I love Hal Borland, and have one of his books. Your Peony shots are gorgeous and I did not know they live 100 years! I DID know about their symbiotic relationship with ants. Mock Strawberry and Chocolate Mint are new to me, too. Well, the Mock Strawberry obviously has no seeds on the outside, just bumps.
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful Ginny. I want to read more of his work. I remember the relationship they have with ants, nature is truly amazing! Glad you found my post interesting, thank you :)
DeleteHow I wish I could grow peonies sucessfully. Sadly they seem to only last one season with us.
ReplyDeleteI like the rock cairn but can well see that it might become dangerous.
I have never tried, just enjoyed them at the gardens we go to. Beautiful flowers! I like those rock cairns too, they are like sculptures :)
DeleteWow! Your photos are so beautiful, Denise. We went to Chicago Botanic Garden but my photos aren't anywhere close to yours.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kay, so glad you liked them. How lovely you got to see the Chicago Botanic Garden :)
DeleteNice photos Denise.
ReplyDeleteThank you Margaret :)
DeleteI was surprised to learn about the longevity of paeonies. I'd be happy if ours survived long enough to flower.
ReplyDeleteWe live in an area full of sweet chestnut trees - the prickly husks make walking hard for soft paws.
Me too about the peonies. There are several of the same trees in the garden. We really have to be careful with those prickly husks when they fall.
DeleteThe photo identity of plants you saw on you walk is useful. I'm sure the walk in such a beautiful park with interesting plants for you and hubby to see did you good.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda, I am still learning as I go along and I find it very useful to put their info on here. I am glad you find them useful. Our walks are always enjoyable, no matter where we go but this is another favorite of ours :)
DeleteStrawberries are the best to reduce systemic inflammation
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that but I am enjoyed learning, thank you so much! I eat lots of strawberries, sometimes in smoothies.
DeleteLove all your shots especially the cute dog. I always think the rock cairns look interesting but I do read a lot about how places discourage people from making them.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ann :) he was a lovely dog. It is interesting about those rock cairns I agree.
DeleteThe peonies are pretty. Lovely views from the gardens. Ellie is a cute doggie. Take care, have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThank you Eileen, glad you enjoyed, and Ellie was a cutie :) You take care and have a great day also :)
DeleteLOVE peonies! Gorgeous...I'll have to look for that variety!
ReplyDeleteThose stone towers are all over in the desert camping areas...people just wanting to say, "I was here", I guess.
hugs
Donna
They are, aren't they? Love peonies! And yes on the stone towers :) Sending hugs!
DeleteThe trees are beautiful and they provide so many ecosystem services to a city. Some enlightened cities are even undertaking urban planting to increase the forest cover.
ReplyDeleteThey are David and that is so good to know. The more trees the better! I am hoping we will be planting a couple in our garden before the year is out :)
DeleteLovely post.
ReplyDeleteThank you Anne :)
DeleteI'm not sure if I have ever seen a sweet chestnut in person. It is a beautiful tree and I love the full shape. As always, thanks for all the plant info. It's a lovely garden.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome Carol, very happy to share :) Glad you enjoyed!
Deletethose strawberries are really beautiful and the first photo of the strong and patient trees is gorgeous. I sat and stared. I think trees are my favorite part of our landscape views of our earth. in a movie last night, the cabine was sitting in the middle of a prairie with NOTHING as far as we could see in every direction. I could/would not live there.
ReplyDeleteI might like to visit and see a prairie or desert but not to live in one.. you get a blue ribbon on your peonies photos. so beautiful
I believe you and I think of trees in exactly the same way Sandra :) I wonder what movie you were watching? I need trees too! I love visiting places, actually love the desert in the southwest, but visiting and living is different. I fancifully think that the desert keeps calling me back as I look forward to 'visiting' it again. Love all those cacti that bloom after a short rain. We went there in the spring once and it was gorgeous! Thank you for the compliment on my peony photos. I love those too. So much nature in this world to love :)
DeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandi :)
DeleteYou gave me lots of Happies today Denise...boy oh boy speaking of humidity yesterday's dew point in Raleigh was 72% that is tropical...
ReplyDeleteBut they say by Thursday we'll have low humidity and very pleasant temperatures for walking.
Hugs to you
Cecilia
And that definitely makes me happy Cecilia, thank you my friend! Yikes on the humidity! We have had another thunderstorm and heavy rain that has cooled the temperature, and it is lovely. Just waiting for the rain to stop so that I can open the windows. Had to close as that rain was almost sideways at one point. A good Virginia downpour :) Sending hugs!
DeleteEnjoyed the photos!
ReplyDeleteThank you Christine, so glad :)
DeleteThey look so beautiful! Those mock raspberries are really interesting and I would love to try some chocolate mint.
ReplyDeleteThank you Angie :) I feel the same way as I am curious about what it tastes like.
DeleteI see why that tree is a favorite. Always nice to walk along with you.
ReplyDeleteSweet of you to say Ellen, thank you :)
DeleteThanks for brightening my day!
ReplyDeleteYou are very, very welcome Jenn and I am happy I brightened your day :)
Deletewe too have to be careful with walks during the summer, it does get too hot some days. the shape of that first tree is really gorgeous, it is often hard to find a tree with such a perfect shape. i do not grow peonies in my garden because of all the ants they attract, still, they are a pretty flower!! i love seeing those rock towers, i have one with 3 small rocks, in my house. my niece gifted me the rocks from new zealand!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Debbie and how interesting about your rock cairn and its connection to your niece and New Zealand. That's very, very special!
DeleteI had a dark red peony at our first house and it had wondeful flowers. I've not grown another in the last 25 years but it would be good to grow it again.There are so many lovely shades and colours now. I have several mint growing in pots inthe garden including a pineapple mint but no chocolate mint. Thank you for sharing all your wonderful pictures x
ReplyDeleteThank you Beverley and you are very welcome :)I have never grown peonies. Your deep red one sounds wonderful!
DeleteIsn't that interesting, there's a story there Linda :)
ReplyDeleteThat tree is gorgeous...love the spreading limbs...
ReplyDeleteIt is isn’t it? I love it too :)
DeleteThe peonies are stunning!
ReplyDeleteThey all were, I am surprised I didn’t take more photos. Thanks Linda :)
DeleteWhat lovely pictures these are, Denise. The mock strawberry sure is unusual looking, and the chocolate mint would make a nice tea. : )
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Thank you Sheri, I really appreciate that :) I bet the chocolate mint would make a really nice tea.
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