West Asheville Garden Stroll 2018

The 10th anniversary of the West Asheville Garden Stroll felt like the very first time again for me. I gave up volunteering last year because the Almighty Falls, and well because, I was getting old and going blind. Today was just an unplanned adventure like the very first time.

Ten years later and I am older and more whatever. But I have lived in small towns for so long, now far outside another, that going to Asheville is like going on safari to the big city. It was my turn to be the rubbernecker.

I deviated from a gardens on tour only protocol to taking a picture of whatever captured my eye as I walked the back streets of West Asheville.

Click on a picture for the better slide show to pop up.

This is a small slice of West Asheville. They will never need worry about quirky.

I Went To The Arboretum

In North Carolina you have to have a license to kill weeds and bugs for money. Unlicensed people can only kill their own weeds and bugs. Maintaining that license took me to the NC Arboretum last Friday for an all day class for continuing education credits. North Carolina's bug killers are educated.

After school I went for a quick stroll through the arboretum.

Both of the main buildings had nice displays of potted tulips. In the land of voles that is a very good tulip strategy. It does not however give protection from squirrels.

It has been several years since I was last there. Like any garden, there has been change and growth.

Large art was featured through out the grounds. Sometimes I wish I had the budget for really big pieces. The flying bicycle will have to do in the meantime.

The Quilt Garden is an ever changing feature.

This butterfly pattern is done in pansies which leads me to think it will be changed out when the heat of summer kicks in.

I need to plant more Fringe Trees in my work. Could I find a place for one in the wild cultivated gardens? I have a gift certificate to my favorite independent local nursery I am itching to spend.

Their Dwarf Crested Iris were blooming. Mine are just waking up. I feel certain one big patch here provided winter comfort to the voles. It has gone missing. Damn varmints!!

To do: Start more colonies of the Dwarf Crested Iris. Abundance is also a good strategy in the land of voles.

One of my favorite sculptures at the Arboretum. It was a nice way to end a slightly tedious day of sitting and learning a lot of the same old stuff.

Yes You May

We were late. Traffic came to a halt on I-40. By the time we arrived two theater rooms were completely filled. The over flow crowd was told a second screening would be at 1pm. Thank you. We will be back.

After the movie I took Sister #1 to see the garden in person. It was hot. It was dry. I was transported to a small village in Africa surrounded for protection from the wild things. It's a moody garden.

Every time I visit Christopher's garden it has something else to say.

The big head keeps moving.

Yes you may. So I didn't stop Bulbarella from collecting a handful of nigella seeds. It was only fair. Her Black Iris now lives there.