SOME PEOPLE PAINT THE TOWN RED, I PAINT MY GARDEN BOXES

The other day I decided I wanted a pop of color in the garden. I come up with projects like this when I am procrastinating on doing other, more important, things.  Projects with quick gratification makes my soul happy, and it needed a little happiness, so I decided procrastination was full speed ahead and painting moved to the top of the to-do list.

BEFORE - BORING

AFTER - RAVISHING RED

I decided to show you how horrible my garden is this year. It's absolutely pitiful, with a capital P.
Want to know how many carrots grew? Three. That's right. Three.
Lettuce - zip
Broccoli - nada
Cucumbers - zero
Zucchini - I don't think I need to tell you.

I do have 6 tomato plants with lots of flowers and a few green tomatoes, so that's good.  I've never grown potatoes before and the middle box has those growing.  I'm anxious to harvest those in the fall.

If your garden has a plethora of veggie goodness and you just don't know what to do with it all, you know who you can call because my garden is giving me squat this season.  On the bright side, I have enough carrots for a side dish.

CRYSTAL SPRINGS RHODODENDRON GARDEN

The rhododendrons opened about three weeks early this year, due to our weather.
Before Mother's Day, it was in full bloom.
Although we missed most of the colorful blooms, there was plenty of beauty to behold.

 

We fed the ducks and geese (don't bring bread for them, just grain - we didn't see the sign until we were leaving - oops), we walked the paths, over bridges and by the water.  There are beautiful water features, a lot of wildlife to see, including a lot of cute baby animals, and gorgeous architecture.

The Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is such a great place to spend the afternoon.  We absolutely loved it.

ELK ROCK, THE GARDEN OF THE BISHOP'S CLOSE

Visiting this hidden gem has been on my to-do list for quite sometime.

Sitting on a cliff-side over looking the Willamette, is this stunningly gorgeous 13 acre English garden.

I loved everything about this garden.  The blooming plants, the foliage lined meandering paths, moss covered stones, benches to contemplate and the incredible view of Mt. Hood.

In 1957, this private garden was donated to the Diocese of Oregon, by the family, with the stipulation that it be open to the public.

There isn't a lot in bloom right now and it is stunning.  I can only imagine what it looks like in spring, in full bloom.  I'm looking forward to going back so it can take my breath away.