Bishop's Garden at National Cathedral

It is always a joy to visit an urban garden, especially on a day as sunny and pleasant (though windy) as this Saturday. Washington National Cathedral has an onsite garden that is like an oasis in the city, and the terraced medieval garden was packed with high-impact plants. There were herbs such as thyme and rosemary interspersed throughout the perennials and shrubs, and ancient trees from biblical times. Bishop's Garden is a hidden gem and a real treat for garden lovers.

Seeing Pink

Definitely "pink" is the dominant color in my garden at the moment, although less so now that the Azaleas have pretty much wrapped up their bloom period for the year. The biggest show-stopper of this pink explosion are...The Pinks, i.e. Dianthus 'Baths Pink" which I have grouped together as edging for the front border. The flowers of this carnation-relation are quite fragrant, and this perennial has really surpassed my expectations.

Peony 'Monsieur Jules Elie'



Peony 'Karl Rosenfield'



Fuchsia Azalea Hedge (next to garage)




Azalea 'Rosebud'



Geranium Biokovo



Dianthus 'Baths Pink'

Impromptu Bouquets

My last Tulip faded earlier this week and the many pink Azalea shrubs are now finishing up, but with so many Perennials taking off in my garden, I am still being graced with an abundance of flowers. The fragrant Tree Peony gave me 2 blooms this go-around, paltry but acceptable considering its very shady location, and the Dianthus have put out an impressive display of fragrant dainty flowers. It feels great being able to throw together an impromptu mini-bouquet to bring the beauty of the garden indoors, and I'm really looking forward to getting plenty of practice on floral arrangements throughout our long Mid-Atlantic growing season.

-- Tulips, Azalea, Honeysuckle

-- Tree Peony 'High Noon'

-- Salvia May Night, Dianthus Bath's Pink, Geranium Biokovo

Accessories for the Garden

Like a beautifully dressed woman, a great garden should be well-accessorized. I have decked out my garden with a variety of items, and just like a sprinkling of jewelry that lends a special flair to an outfit, these garden accents really light up my landscape making it all the more unique and magical.

Bird Houses
Made by my very talented wonderful husband, based off designs he found in the book Designer Birdhouses: 20 Upscale Homes for Sophisticated Birds", I am so enchanted by these gorgeous nesting boxes. Both are in my backyard, and the orange-yellow one already has its first set of tenants!

Aluminum Birds

I picked these up at the Philadelphia Flower Show that I attended in March. Cute and adorable, my little boy just can't keep his hands off them. The 2 are sited in the Woodland Side Border, which should be bird-paradise come late-Summer when the Cleathra Summersweets bloom and the Viburnums produce their berries.

Frog and Turtle

I really like the mosaic inlay and glassy gemstone eyes. The frog resides in the Woodland Side Border, and the turtle is out front in my perennial/shrub border next to the Pennisetum Little Bunny.

Bird Bath

This was the very first garden accent I purchased, a lovely item that I found at Kmart of all places. The birds are really using it, and this year I will see to it that the water is changed every other day, to avoid having it become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Wind Chimes

What would a backyard sanctuary be without the gentle chiming of wind chimes? I have the metal froggy-chime hanging in the Honeysuckle Shrub, and the mellow woodsy-chime now dangles from the Witchhazel.

Fleeting Beauty

The Peony blooms,

then comes hot humid weather.

The show is over.