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Category Archives: P Allen Smith Garden Home

August begins a time of edits

03 Monday Aug 2015

Posted by home, garden, life in August, Back Yard Birds, blessings, Bluebirds, P Allen Smith Garden Home, sustainable lifestyle

≈ 22 Comments

Tags

Albemarle County, August garden, Central Virginia, change of seasons, Charlottesville, Charlottesville City Market, feeding wild birds, garden, garden chores, home, life, P Allen Smith

The month of August is bittersweet.

This year summer evolves especially fast. Spring was long and cool, delaying daffodil bloom long enough to sell cut stems at the April farmers market.

these beauties knock me out

these beauties knock me out every April.  I have a habit of rescuing or inheriting daffodils from abandoned properties or those departed, so I never know the names of each flower, yet every spring, I look forward to their many faces and scents, as my collection now numbers over 2,500.

By mid-May temperatures were in the 90’s, heavy rains fell, then the high humidity set in. Despite this challenging conditions, the peony harvest was especially abundant in May; over 600 stems were sold at market, necessitating the purchase of an additional refrigerator for the basement. 2015 Peony city market May

I did enjoy four days of respite at P Allen Smith’s Moss Mountain Farm outside Little Rock, Arkansas. During the growing season, I tiptoe out of my gardens to catch a flight to this gardener’s dream land as a guest, only to return a few days later to a needy garden…”weed me, harvest me, plant me, mow me, feed me, dig me…”

Allen and I in the one-are garden; a special friend in a special place (pallensmith.com)

Allen and I in his one-acre veggie garden at Moss Mountain Farm in May; a special friend in a special place (pallensmith.com)

these Iris graced my gardens this year. Another rescued beauty who now enjoyes life here

back in Virginia, these Iris graced my gardens during May of this year. Another rescued beauty who now enjoys life here

and this rescued Iris blooms right along side. Both flowers have a heavenly scent

and this rescued Iris blooms right along side the deep purple variety. Both flowers have a heavenly scent and bloomed continuously for three weeks during May!

one proud stand of glory

one proud stand of glory

tiger lily

this is an old heirloom, scentless variety of tiger lily (tigrinum), native to China but long ago naturalized in America…these originals came from my mother’s gardens. Bulbs may be cooked and eaten, tasting something like an artichoke, although I have never found the need to imbibe. Prolific black bulbils produced in the axils of the leaves may be shared with friends, though they take years to mature. Blooms appear in July, are 3′-5′ tall and rarely need staking. Butterflies adore the flowers during a rainy month.

oakleaf hydrangea

prolific Oakleaf hydrangea (paniculata) thrives here at Swallowtail Cottage, and produces abundant offspring from seed, which now fill an entire lower shrub border. There are approximately forty-five species and varieties grown in America.

And now it is August. Both heirloom tiger lilies and Davidii phlox bloom cycles are finished and spent stems are removed. The lush Oakleaf hydrangea bloom is merely a memory. Why? It seems, we gardeners wait with such anticipation for bloom time, only to have it pass seemingly overnight…every season.

Naked ladies suddenly appear in my August garden and seduce the eye with every gaze...

Another native of South Africa, Lycoris squamigera or Naked Ladies suddenly appear in my August garden and seduce the eye with every gaze…they make a pretty cut flower, with elegant long stems and a pleasant scent…

Formosa lily

Another late summer bloomer is the Formosa Lily (formosanum). White, funnel-shaped and fragrant with 1-10 flowers produced per stalk that grows to 6′. Easily self sows here in zone 6. Native to Formosa. My first seed pod came from Tufton, a former property of Thomas Jefferson.

Generous rains produced stunning, abundant blooms this season on the spiraea, hellebore, and Lemon lilies.

Lemon lilies in the lower garden

Lemon lilies in the lower garden

Delayed are the two main 2015 outdoor projects: the oil stain project of the new 90′ privacy fence (both sides) and the necessary reconditioning of the terrace masonry wall.

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looming, yet very necessary, the 90′ long privacy fence needs a coat of oil based natural stain (both sides) in order to preserve the blond appearance. Frequent rain and high dew points continue to prevent moi from swinging the brush…

block wall on terrace demands attention this year. Dry Lock Extreme and new coat of paint will restore...I'm hoping...

the 30′ block/parged terrace wall demands attention this year. Dry Lok Extreme and new coats of paint will restore…I’m hoping…

Are any of you considering home ownership? This post will be a reality check for you. Since buying this place back in 2001, the projects both large and small, inside and out, are endless. Some days/years I think I am making progress, others, I think I am in a rapid backslide…

Wild birds bring much relief and beauty on a daily basis to my gardens. This year I am hosting hummingbirds, and they come in droves for their plain sugar-water fix and enjoy sips from the Crocosmia.

hummer enjoys a sip from the crocosmia in the kitchen herb garden

hummer enjoys a sip from the Crocosmia from the kitchen herb garden in 2014. Did you know that Crocosmia is an herb from South Africa belonging to the Iris family? I rescued these corms and enjoy seeing them thrive.

in 2014 the hummers enjoyed sips from the pineapple sage...

in 2013 the hummers enjoyed sips from the pineapple sage…

Hummers enjoy the convenience of a perch design on this sugar syrup feeder in 2015

hummingbirds enjoy the convenience of a perch on this sugar syrup feeder in 2015. Photo was taken through solar film and glass, so a wee bit soft…

I feed numerous other wild birds here at Swallowtail Cottage, yet the Bluebirds chose not to nest here again this year. They come in to feed, and I hear their song whilst gardening, yet only a pair of black cap chickadees occupied the BB boxes this season while either a titmouse or carolina wren raised young in the wren box.

nestling bluebirds day nine ~ Swallowtail Cottage. Would you feed them GMO food?

nestling bluebirds day nine ~ Swallowtail Cottage 2013. Would you feed them GMO food?

So begins August here in central Virginia. I expect the arborist later this month for our annual chore of topping/shearing the Leyland cypress hedges; I will be glad to see the bagworms vanish into the chipper.

sheering tops of Leylands and icky pyracanta in foreground

annual shearing of tops and sides of Leyland cypress, as 135 surround my property’s perimeter

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One glorious yellow swallowtail graces my garden and poses cooperatively on the verbena. These flutterbyes inspired the name of my property…Swallowtail Cottage. Still awaiting the Monarchs…

Queen Ann’s Lace, hyssop, cleome, hostas, and roses continue to color the landscape as summer winds down for another season. Butterflies nectar on the verbena and Joe Pye Weed. Fat cucumbers dangle from the arched cattle panels, while sweet basil, tomatoes, hot peppers, kale and herbs fill the raised beds. Soon I will harvest my first crop of Lilliput melons, as they meander across the lower butterfly garden. 2015 has been an abundant growing season. Full of edibles, friends, happy memories, and hard work.

end of summer bouquet

end of summer bouquet

And soon, yes soon I will breathe a bit easier; I will sleep a wee bit longer as garden/market chores lighten. As biting insects depart, when there is a chill in the crisp air, I will once again enjoy my lower patio and reflect on another year as a homeowner/gardener.

Did you know that we will lose one hour of daylight in August? While I am still the busy bee today, the planet continues its orbit. Our gardens respond, and indeed so do we. Best now to consider the color of this year’s flannel sheets, while continuing to mow, weed those persistent invasives, and get a handle on those unfinished outdoor projects…

If you have a moment, would love to hear from you either by the click of the “like” button or speak in the comments section. Does my blog make a difference? Cheers!

Copyright © 2015 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

a water feature added to the cottage landscape at moss mountain

19 Sunday May 2013

Posted by home, garden, life in Arkansas, environment, landscape design, Lifestyle, P Allen Smith, P Allen Smith Garden Home

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Arkansas, bonnie plants, Cottage Home Challenge, HGTVGardens, Laguna Ponds, landscape design, Moss Mountain, P Allen Smith, pond installation, rain barrel, water features

How many of you watched P Allen Smith’s Garden Home Challenge on YouTube last summer? High goals were set in order to build a 1600SF cottage at Moss Mountain in 150 days for 150 thousand dollars. Yes, you read right. I was there, glued to every episode, taking notes, asking questions, as I too planned to build a small home with similar requisites. When the series came to an end, woeful me yearned to know the final details. Then came Allen’s invitation to join other garden bloggers at G2B13 May 6-9. My ultimate wish granted, I traveled to Little Rock, and soon was at the cottage threshold with Allen as host!

Allen welcomes G2B13 attendees to the Garden Home Cottage

Allen welcomes G2B13 attendees to the Garden Home Cottage

Front door of the cottage

Front door of the cottage

side pergola leading to lower garden

side pergola leading to lower garden

rain barrel at porch corner

rain barrel at porch corner

rear deck from lower yard

rear deck from lower yard

Laguna constructing cottage water feature

Laguna constructing cottage water feature

overnight 1500 gallons of water added

overnight 1500 gallons of water flowed into the pond

Laguna Ponds make installation appear simple

Laguna makes installation appear simple

Byron having fun during pond installation

Byron Ford from Bonnie Plants is having fun during the pond installation while Janet Carson looks on

Allen applauds as water flows for the first time

Allen applauds as water flows for the first time

Mallory holds aqua plant floatation ring

Mallory Colliflower from HGTVGardens holds an aqua plant floatation ring

rear porch view of completed water feature. Allen will landscape around and below site

rear porch view of completed water feature. Allen will design a landscape around and below this site

one year later ~ fully landscaped Laguna pond at the Moss Mountain  Farm Cottage. Photo by Teresa Byington

one year later ~ fully landscaped Laguna pond at the Moss Mountain Farm Cottage. Photo by Teresa Byington

another Laguana pond at Moss Mountain

another fully landscaped Laguna pond at Moss Mountain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpC_x5gqtnw&list=SP156AE490198B14C8 is the link to Allen’s brilliant Cottage Home Challenge. Check it out and see if you too can create an affordable, cozy, green abode. And if you are lucky, a Laguna pond may find its way to your home.

Copyright © 2013 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

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moss mountain ~ a place for the soul

12 Sunday May 2013

Posted by home, garden, life in Arkansas, environment, landscape design, Lifestyle, P Allen Smith, P Allen Smith Garden Home, sustainable lifestyle

≈ 20 Comments

Tags

Arkansas, community, creativity, Garden2Blog2013, Heritage Poultry Conservancy, Moss Mountain, P Allen Smith, sustainable living

This post is dedicated to P Allen Smith for sharing his caring heart, exceptional vision, horticultural brilliance, and unparalleled hospitality.
Thank you Allen for a visit of a lifetime.

Please view this post on your large format viewer for full effect…

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the farmhouse at Moss Mountain

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P Allen Smith sharing his wisdom

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take a stroll and see for yourself

Wisteria alley

wisteria allee

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view from Allen's studio

view from Allen’s studio

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koi pond

tuteurs lining pathway

structural obelisks line a pathway

layers of texture

layers of texture

path to Arkansas River

path to Arkansas River

endless rose hedges

endless rose hedges

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color in profusion

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below the mighty Arkansas

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octagon building inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello

garden ornament creating a sense of whimsy

garden ornament creates a sense of whimsy

gateway to the formal rose garden

gateway to the formal rose garden

kitchen dependency

kitchen dependency

outside view of rear porches

exterior view of rear porches

300 year old oak at Moss Mountain

a 350 year old post oak at Moss Mountain. One of  three “big sisters” at the farm.

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front porch detail and love the color of the benches and chairs…pimento from Benjamin Moore

entrance hall

entrance hall

kitchen detail

kitchen detail

mud room detail

mud room detail

view from second floor porch

view from second floor porch

second floor porch detail

main floor porch detail

porch bathing luxury

bathing luxury on second floor porch

landing second floor

second floor landing

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MBR detail

guest bedroom

guest bedroom

guest room detail

guest room detail

intimate spaces

intimate, charming spaces

Allen loves his poultry

Allen loves his poultry

One handsome rooster

one handsome rooster at Moss Mountain ~ Amos

Sunbathing beauty

sunbathing beauty

what flexibility

what flexibility!

Allen educates

Allen educates and inspires

Can you feel the love?

can you feel the love?

Oreo feeling the love at Moss Mountain

Oreo feeling the love at Moss Mountain

someone's lovin' life!

someone’s lovin’ life!

detail of Allen's one-acre veggie garden

detail of Allen’s one-acre veggie garden

Allen strolls his garden

Allen strolls his garden

details, details

details, details

white dorper sheep from africa

white dorper sheep from Africa

Trudy ~ a rescue from a lab in Canada

Trudy ~ a rescue from a lab in Canada

Moose the mooch

Moose the mooch

one of the handsome Heritage breeds

a few of the handsome Heritage breeds

French geese in Allen's care

Giant Dewlap Toulouse geese ~ an old French breed, enjoy life at Moss Mountain Farm

Allen conveys the importance of preserving endangered heritage breeds of poultry

Allen conveys the importance of preserving endangered heritage poultry breeds

Dinner bell

dinner bell

one blogger's repose

one blogger’s repose at Moss Mountain ~ Barbara Wise

Following many fine meals and lively conversation, we bid Moss Mountain adieu

following many fine meals and lively conversation, we bid Moss Mountain adieu

day's end at Moss Mountain

day’s end at Moss Mountain

In addition to the activities listed above, Garden2Blog13 was chocked full of fun including a tour of the Governor’s Mansion gardens designed by Allen, a tour of Allen’s city home gardens https://dianelasauce.wordpress.com/2013/05/19/p-allen-smiths-small-masterpiece/, and Laguna’s construction of a water feature at Moss Mountain’s Cottage Home https://dianelasauce.wordpress.com/2013/05/19/a-water-feature-added-to-the-cottage-landscape-at-moss-mountain/. Additionally, Troy-Bilt, Bonnie Plants, Jobe’s Organics, The Seed Keeper Company, Star Roses and Plants, Berry Family of Nurseries and LeCreuset added valuable lessons and fine dining for all the G2B13 attendees.

Allen’s highly professional support staff guided us throughout our stay, filling us with radiance and awe that will continue to inspire us and our gardens to come.
My final thought is you have not lived until you visit Moss Mountain.

Copyright © 2013 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

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Essay Titles

  • Keto almond crackers
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