~
“It is easier to tell a person what life is not,
rather than to tell them what it is.
A child understands weeds
that grow from lack of attention, in a garden.
However, it is hard to explain the wild flowers
that one gardener calls weeds,
and another considers beautiful ground cover.”
.
Shannon L. Alder
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~
“We gardeners are healthy, joyous, natural creatures.
We are practical, patient, optimistic.
We declare our optimism every year, every season,
with every act of planting.”
.
Carol Deppe
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~
“No one plants rosebushes for the thorns.”
.
Marty Rubin
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~
“When tended the right way, beauty multiplies.”
.
Shannon Wiersbitzky
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Bearded Iris
Iris, “Rock Star”
Hybrid Tea Rose
Bearded iris
Clematis
Bearded Iris
Clematis
~
When my daughter was still very young, I decided I would rather be given a potted rose bush for Mother’s Day than a dozen cut roses.
That simple wish was a defining moment for me. It meant that no matter how life’s circumstances may shift from year to year, I am surrounded by soft, fragrant roses every May.
Now I cut from my abundance to share with those I love.
~
~
Happy Mother’s Day!
Photos by Woodland Gnome 2015
Forest Garden 
Good morning, WG. I am in love with that deep dark iris. Really nice. I planted the seeds of the blue morning glory you gave me, so fingers crossed now. And your beautiful roses!!! No wonder you love May so much. I’m happy you had such a nice day.
Thank you, Barbara. I hope you had a good day, as well. I suspect yours was in many ways like mine 😉 I took photos yesterday of the Iris you gave me last May in glorious bloom. That is one of my favorite Iris of all time, Barbara, and I left behind my clump in Virginia Beach through circumstances we won’t discuss. You’ve given it back to me again and I appreciate that so very much! They are wonderful, and I plan to cut some for my “Vase” today. Will you be joining in with “A Vase on Monday” now that your garden is awake? Good luck with the morning glory- I hope they are as prolific for you as they are for us 😉 Also, please help me remember to share some of the purple Iris with you in a few weeks ❤ I'll be digging some as I've promised a root to another friend, also. Giant hugs, WG
The second Rose from the top is stupendous, I’ve never seen one like that.
This R. “Crown Princess Margareta” is definitely one of our favorites, and is one of the first roses we planted in the first spring we were in the garden. This is one of the David Austin English shrub roses, bred for form, fragrance, and disease resistance. http://davidaustinroses.com/american/advanced.asp These never need spraying and have a very strong fragrance. They bring smiles with every inhalation 😉 Thank you for visiting today . WG
Beautiful roses and iris– I particularly love the wine-colored bearded iris – so lovely and rich. I have never seen a clematis so blue – what is its name? I so often drool over your gardens! 😉
Hope you enjoyed your Mother’s Day! ❤
Wonderful Mother’s Day, Eliza. Thank you for asking. I hope you have enjoyed yours surrounded by loved ones. Did you work in your garden today? A friend came in late morning to share with us the birth of her grandson, yesterday morning. What a beautiful gift for her Mother’s Day! We cut roses together before she left and enjoyed the sweetness of the day. I can send you a bit of Iris root, Eliza, when they are ready to harvest. I cannot recall the name of the Clematis, but will check my files for it. Giant hugs, WG ❤
Oh, wow, would you? I have just the place for it in my front bed, next to a frilly white one. You are awesome! 🙂
I had a wonderful MD with my youngest, who took me to lunch and we went hiking – it was the best MD I’ve ever had! I feel so blessed! 🙂
Sounds like such a wonderful day ! Please remind me about the Iris root if you don’t have it in hand by late August , OK?
Thank you dear friend for the beautiful roses you gifted me with, today. The fragrance of your love and friendship permeates our home. Alhamdullillah
You are most welcome. Thank you for coming and enjoying them with us, and for sharing the wonderful stories you gave us 😉 ❤ May the newest one be blessed each time he opens his eyes.