I’ve spent a few hours a day in the garden this week. Partly because it was neglected due to our trip across the U.S. to visit sons and granddaughters. I always hate to leave home. I don’t like leaving those dear labradoodles to which we have become very attached. And then there are the hens. See Backyard Hencam. But those little girls in Raleigh grow so quickly and we do love them so.
Our trips to Raleigh usually includes a visit to a few of their fabulous gardens. This year, we visited Duke Garden in Durham. It has become my favorite garden ever!
This garden has something for everyone. The Sarah P. Duke Gardens, occupies 55 acres of the West Campus of Duke University near Raleigh. It is divided into areas: The Historic Gardens contain floral terraces ablaze with color, and hosts stunning purple allium globes and pink and purple foxglove. Smaller gardens surround the terraces: a butterfly garden, a memorial garden, an azalea court and a rose garden. Duke Gardens contains six acres of native plants and an Asiatic Arboretum. The Asian garden (my personal favorite) was filled with deciduous magnolias, Japanese maples, epimediums (dry shade plants), daylilies, and tree peonies.
We wandered through the Asiatic Arboretum on serpentine paths, admiring bridges, gates, small shelters, stone lanterns, water basins, and lakes filled with water lilies and lotuses, and inhabited by turtles, geese, and ducks.
I’ll return to Duke Gardens. It defines the art and science of horticulture. The environment invites contemplation and study. Duke Gardens is open eve
While visiting gardens in far-away places, my own garden was thriving on its own. No, it’s not an exotic arboretum, nor a terraced perennial garden. It does not have lakes and ponds. But it is a creation of my imagination and the result of our hard work. It is backed by majestic green pines and spreading oaks. It has colorful spring flowers, fruit trees, hens, labradoodles, sea breezes, and friendly neighbors. I’m inspired by other gardens but I love to come home to my own!
