What a Difference a Zone (or Two) Makes

HH and I are very proud of ourselves because twice in the last couple of weeks these two country bumpkins drove all the way to the big city -- from the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania, to Arlington, Virginia. We even took the metro into Washington, DC. (What an experience that was! For a start, we needed help figuring out how to retrieve tickets from the machine.) Of course, we have a great incentive to come here: spending time with grandchildren! My son and his wife were away on business last week, and again for a few days this week, so we are doing double-babysitting-duty. What a joy these two little boys are!

A bonus, as an avid gardener, is seeing what is blooming in other states. Last week, we stopped off in Maryland to visit HH's cousin and his wife. Their garden is simply beautiful! And what a difference two panting zones make in bloom times. The adorable candytuft is probably my personal favorite of the perennials already in bloom in their garden.

The lilacs were coming into flower already ...

                                                                           ... and so were the azaleas.

 

In this lovely Maryland garden, the birdsong was notable, as was the heavy scent of blossoms on the trees. I wish I could convey the wonderful sounds and smells we experienced there.

I have to say, this year many plants in my zone 5 garden have bloomed early. So my daffodils were flowering at the same time as those in zone 7. But mine did not compare to these in the Maryland garden. I must plant more varieties this fall.

More Maryland flowers: The bleeding hearts are way ahead of mine.

What a perfect family visit, and it was enhanced by time spent in a garden.

I photographed this spectacular wisteria near my grandson's school in Arlington, VA.

When we went into Washington, DC (did I tell you we took the metro?) the orange blossoms had passed their peak, but we found lots of plants blooming in the gardens around the Smithsonian Institute museums. One that I think can be described as a "secret garden," is the Mary Livingston Ripley Garden. Tulips were everywhere.

I think you will agree the tree peonies are amazing:

My tradescantia does not even have buds yet. Take a look at this ...

 For someone who always wanted to try to espalier a tree, this euonymus is really impressive.

 Tulips and pansies are spectacular in the Enid A. Haupt Garden next to the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building.

Finally, there I spotted this chubby bird. Can anyone name it?

It is an exciting time of the year for gardeners, whatever your planting zone. Enjoy!



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