Inspirational Books, Blogs, and Beautiful Gardens

Blooming lilac and crabapple in my garden today.

As a gardener, three sources of inspiration for me are garden books, garden blogs, and visiting beautiful gardens. 

1. BOOKS

Years before I gardened, when I needed an escape from the stress of my job, I read about gardening and began collecting garden books. My personal library continues to expand, but last week, for Earth Day, I read a book from the church library (where I am volunteer librarian) to our preschoolers there. I have chosen this children's book, The Oak Inside the Acorn by Max Lucado, as my entry for the Earth Day Reading Project sponsored by Michelle at The Sage Butterfly. I feel this is a fitting choice for a post on Inspiration, as Lucado is considered one of America's leading inspirational authors. The lovely illustrations are by George Angelini.

This beautifully written story is about a little acorn who finds it hard to believe he will ever be a big oak tree.  He is afraid to leave the safety of his mother's branches, but he is planted in a farmer's back yard where he grows year-by-year along with the farmer's little girl. He doesn't know what he is supposed to do, but he heeds his mother's advice, "Just be the tree God made you to be," and one day he finds a very special purpose for his branches. The story speaks to young and old.  It is especially important for parents who are raising their children to be unique, and then letting them go out into the world. It encouraged me to answer the question, "What is my place in the world?"

2. BLOGS

Donna of Garden Walk Garden Talk asked a similar question in her recent Earth Day posting. My place on Planet Earth has changed over the years. Today, I am many things, not least of which is a gardener.

 I am also a garden blogger, finding inspiration from other bloggers. It was my good fortune to meet two of them recently: Carolyn of Carolyn's Shade Garden and Julie who blogs at Wife, Mother, Gardener. It was Julie's idea for Pennsylvania garden bloggers to get-together. It was a wonderful weekend.

From left to right: Carolyn, me, and Julie in Carolyn's garden.

3. BEAUTIFUL GARDENS

Carolyn's beautiful garden is a true inspiration. One of my favorite spots there is the woodland garden where all sorts of hostas, ferns and native plants can be found. It is how I wish my Woodland Walk looked, but until we eradicate the invasive plants and build a deer fence, I'm afraid it will never happen.

Carolyn's woodland garden.

 It was impossible to pick a favorite, so here are just two of Carolyn's beautiful native plants:

Arisaema triphyllum Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Aquilega Canadensis Wild Columbine

My visit inspired me to start a miniature hosta collection. I purchased three with a little fern, and upon my return home, I planted them in a shallow dish.

I placed the planter next to the swing in my shade garden, where I can admire them when I sit there.

With Julie and Carolyn, HH and I visited Chanticleer, a forty acre garden near Philadelphia. Carolyn gave us a tour ...

Chanticleer is the name given to a rooster, especially in fairy tales.

One of the romantic winding paths at Chanicleer.

Part of an unusual seating group at Chanticleer

I think of this unusual stone chair as 'Carolyn's Chair' because I first read about it on her blog. It inspires me to think more deeply about the seating in my garden.

I loved the plant groupings at Chanticleer. Obviously a great deal of thought is given to the pairings.

Yellow tulip with yellow-edged hosta.

The day before we visited Carolyn and Chanticleer, we went to another inspirational garden, Longwood Gardens at Kennet Square, PA.

The fountain garden at Longwood

The conservatory

Inside the conservatory, HH and I were excited to find a delphinium called Astolat. Our farm, which is HH's childhood home is called Astolat. This is a meaningful name in his family's history.

Delphinium 'Astolat' Pacific Giant Group

Delphinium 'Astolat' Pacific Giant Group

Of course, I  have lots more photos of my visits to these inspirational gardens. Expect more in future postings. And thank you Julie and Carolyn! You prove what I have always thought, Garden Bloggers are the Best!!

Finally, I get inspiration when taking my morning walk around my own garden. Today, not only are the crabapple tree and lilacs blooming, but also my weeping redbud. Unfortunately, my camera didn't pick up the true lavender color of the blossoms.

 

Weeping Redbud 'Lavender Twist'

In this posting I am not only linking with Sage Butterfly's Earth Day Reading Project meme, but also Donna's  Word4Wednesday at Garden Walk Garden Talk. I haven't forgotten Holley at Roses and Other Gardening Joys whose meme 'Monthly Garden Book Review' I missed this month, but I do encourage you to go over there and get some great reading inspiration. Also, do visit Carolyn's Shade Garden, both the blog and the place if possible; and you will love Julie's Wife, Mother, Gardener blog which is sure to inspire you.

Happy reading, happy blogging, and happy gardening!

Pamela x

With HH at Chanticleer (photo by Julie)

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