Hummer ready

Was rewarded by a visit from a hummingbird earlier this week, who honed in on the Bright Eyes salvia in the front garden bed. So pleased to know that the wildlife hasn’t been deterred from visiting the loud and noisy construction in my neighborhood. I snapped some pics of bee-, bird-, and butterfly -friendly bloomers.

20160419_SummerJewelRedSalvia 20160419_VariegatedButterflyWeed 20160421_SugarMoonRose 20160419_HotLipsSalvia

The Rose Gardens of Farmers Branch in November part 2

The All-America Rose Selection Test Garden is a short walk to the other side of the civic center. It marks the start of the Historical Park walking trail which runs alongside the creek, splits off into the bird sanctuary and historical building area and finishes at Gussie Field. The roses on display at the AARS Test Garden are complemented by a daylily display garden, which is remarkable to behold in spring and summer. Also at this test garden, the newest varieties are available on hand for viewing…some of which are stunners. One of my faves is the Silver Lavender rose, whose color approaches a very pale steel, almost grey-blue, color.

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The great thing about these gardens is that it’s free and open to the public.

The Rose Gardens of Farmers Branch in November part 1

Perfectly mild autumn weather meant a walk around the area attractions. We started off our journey at the Coppell Farmer’s Market then headed over to Farmers Branch to take a look at the rose gardens. Our first stop was at Gussie Field Watterworth Park to view the National EarthKind Trial Rose Garden and Display Gardens. Roses here are left to their own devices: growing at will without any spraying, pruning or fertilizing. It is a perfect setting to view which varieties will grow and prosper with a minimum amount of tending in the landscape. Some of these like the Lady Banks series of roses can grow into monsters more than 8 ft tall and wide.

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