Soloman's Seal

A wonderful woodland plant, Soloman's Seal flourishes in a shaded country garden. I love the hanging cream and green tinged blooms.

Thank You Jane Marie

It's such a wonderful feeling to be acknowledged by a peer for your efforts. Thank you Jane Marie at Thyme For Herbs for bestowing A Maritime Gardener with the Arte y Pico award. I am truly honored. Jane Marie is a fellow daylily lover (and kindred spirit:)).
There are 5 rules for this award:
1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award for their creativity,design, interesting material,and which contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.
2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.
3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given him/her the award itself.
4. The award winner and the one who has given the prize has to show the Art y Pico blog so that everyone will know the origin of this award.
5. To show these rules.

I have visited many creative and artistic blogs, and it's very difficult to narrow down the choice. Some may have already been chosen for this award in the past. I would like to thank the 5 bloggers that I've chosen for their wonderful contributions, and invite them to chose 5 recipients of their own if they so chose.

The 5 blogs that I would like to share with you include:

Nancy at Soliloquy for her reflective poetry, exquisite photography, and her maritime flare.

Zoe at Garden Hopping for her eloquent writing and inspiring photography. I always learn something from my visits to Zoe's blog.

Jean at Pill Bug's Point Of View for her beautiful paintings and photos. Jean is a true maritimer at heart.

Janece at No Ordinary Moment for her beautiful photography and thoughtful positive reflections on life.

Sandy at Gardenpath for her wonderful photography and fabulous garden macro shots.

Thank you all for sharing your wonderful talents.

A Cabin In A Wood

My parents have the most wonderful rustic log cabin in the middle of a ten acre wood. A little on the wild side at present with overgrown weeds and wildflowers, I find it to be the most perfect peaceful getaway. I'll be posting some photos over the next week of tiny treasures that we found during our jaunt in the woods today.

Comfrey~Who Would Have Thought

Comfrey blooms unfurling.


Comfrey blooms seem almost insignificant at a distance, compared to the size of the foliage. Who would have thought that the unfurling flowers would be so beautiful? It's amazing the things that you discover when you get up close.

In The Pink

Pink is one of my favorite colors in the garden, second to lavender.I love these two colors combined with orange for a splash of brilliance. Blue eyed pink daylilies are some of my favorites, and I was pleased to discover double blooms on this daylily Free Bird today.
My pink rhododendron is starting to bloom, and within a few days should be covered with flowers.

Wordless Wednesday: Aphids Aphids Everywhere

Yes We Still Have Tulips

The tulips are almost done, and late bloomers are putting on a show. Azalea and rhododendron buds are getting ready to burst open. The last magnolia blossoms are captured in still life for future viewing. I seem to be in a close up phase, and have a craving for a macro lens:).

Apricot Inspiration

I find the apricot color of these two plants to be very similar and eye catching. The first is a new daylily in my garden~ Zahadoom by Patrick Stamile. It has an unusual color and is quite dramatic when seen in person. I really like the look, and will hybridize with it this year. In fact I've already dabbed some pollen on it's pistol, and am hoping for a little seed pod to form. In this photo it is missing it's stamens, which have been carefully harvested for their pollen.

In the second photo Heuchera "Peach Melba" shows off it's apricot leaves. I had purchased a similar plant several years ago which did not survive our winter. Other heucheras have done well in our garden, so I'm giving it another try.

Yellow Bird Magnolia

I just discovered this little magnolia blooming. It has a pretty pale yellow flower which appears after the leaves are open, unlike the Cup and Saucer Magnolia which blooms before the leaves appear.

Blowing On Dandelion Seeds 101

It's not as easy as you think.


First you have to concentrate. Then take a deep breath and blowwww.


Try again. Everything takes practice.


Try not to eat them:).


Good attempt. By the end of the weekend you'll be an expert!