Ripe for the picking
Envision a neighbor who loves gardening as much as you, and whose garden is only a few feet from your own. Imagine living on a residential block of ethereal loveliness spearheaded by two adjoining properties.
Shelagh Tucker’s front garden at an interesting angle
Think healthy competition with a fine and beautiful edge.
Dahlias (I don't know the variety.)
The first two gardens we saw this morning in Seattle were excellent examples of how people express themselves individually even if they grow similar plants.
On Shelagh Tucker’s side, the front garden is a xeric paradise inspired by Beth Chatto’s dry garden in England (written about recently by Layanee of Ledge and Gardens.) Waterwise plants were showcased by the crushed rock and by their placement. Interestingly, her back garden was very different. A lily pond in the round sat next to a paved courtyard, and the garden was very English in style.
Fairegarden's mistress getting just the right photo of the lily pond.
While I was strolling Jim and Suzette Birrell’s garden next door,which had the largest and healthiest vegetables I’ve ever laid eyes upon, Carol of May Dreams Gardens called my iPhone.
Part of Jim and Suzette Birrell's back garden
“Do you want to smell sweet peas?” she asked.
“Do I? Of course.” I’ve tried to grow sweet peas at least a dozen times without any success. Told they smell sublime, seeing and smelling one or three has been on my bucket list.
What can I say? I’m a simple girl at heart.
“Get back to the other garden. I’m next to the greenhouse. She has sweet peas.”
I darted through crowds, avoided photographers like land mines and finally found Carol and the sweet peas.
After I smelled my first sweet pea (I have no pride apparently.)
Oh . . . my, sublime is right. I have never smelled anything like them, and I probably never will again.
I think Carol and I could garden as next-door neighbors, a little friendly competition, two very different styles. Alas, we live three states apart, so we must do our garden sharing virtually.
Aren’t we all glad to have technology? Doesn’t it often make our lives easier?
I know I am.
Many thanks to the Seattle Fling committee whose members have tirelessly helped all of us to have such a good time. Also, thank you to the gardeners who opened their beautiful outdoor spaces to us so far. I am in love with Seattle and its gorgeous weather. I just know I and the Texas bloggers brought our heat with us and ended Seattle’s cold, wet, rainy season. I’m sure it was us.
What an excited face! I found those same sweet peas and drank in their scent. Ahh!
Dee, I live in Harrison, AR– east of you a ways– in a 90-year-old house whose original owner was a prolific gardener. One of her legacies is loads of old sweet peas that come up like weeds everywhere. They’re withering (finally) in this amazing drought but usually survive without a bit of care– and yes, they do smell heavenly.
If you think our climates might be similar enough, let me know and I’ll gather some seeds for you and send them your way. Would love to pass them along!
Kimberly, it certainly is worth a try. I’ll email you. Thank you so much. I can’t imagine sweet peas which will grow here. One thing, I need to know when you plant the seeds. I’ve tried every time of the year and had no success. Perhaps yours are a hardier variety.
Hey, Dee– I almost missed the sweet peas, but went out hunting today and found a few pods that hadn’t split open yet, and harvested you some seeds. They’re ready for mailing– just email me your address. 🙂
Dee, thank you! These pictures allow me to visit the gardens that I missed. You have a face of a happy child in that ‘sweet pea’ pictutre! It was a pleasure meeting you at the Dragonfly Farms nursery yesterday!
Tatyana, I’m so glad you came because I loved finally meeting you in person, and what a lovely person you are.
Hi Dee,
You have the best smile! I wish I could get Sweet peas to grow, I soak them or nick them or both (lol) and plant them but I think birds are eating them? When they don’t germinate I try to dig them up but they’re gone!
glimpsesofglory-karen.blogspot.com/
Hi Karen, I haven’t had time to step over to your blog of late, but I thank you kindly for the sweet words about my smile. I have only grown the short version of sweet peas, and they had almost no scent. Here, everyone just accepts them like candy from the sky. They couldn’t believe I can’t grow them, and yes, I’ve tried all of those same methods too along with planting them at different times of the year. We all just can’t grow everything, can we?
I love the idea of a neighborhood full of gardens. I especially like the Birrell’s back garden. And the pic of you is great! So glad you got to smell that most wonderful of fragrances!
So do I Nan. What a glorious place that would be.
Hey Dee,
Aren’t you a poster child for grinning ear to ear. I’m having smell memories right now. I grew up with sweet peas in Sydney and I know their fragrance well. But my last memory is paying a huge amount to a high end florist in Kansas City for a small bouquet for a serious girlfriend. Lost the girl but my memory was worth it.
Thank you for sharing your week with those who didn’t have the pleasure to make it.
Hi Patrick, what a fantastic story. I loved it. I’ll try to post more this week about our adventures.
I wish I had been there!! It looks/sounds like so much fun!! I grew up with sweet peas growing on a trellis in front of our house. Lucky lucky you to be in Seattle to smell them. You definitely look happy! :o)
It was so much fun. I loved that entire garden so much. Wonderful place. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I was very, very happy.
Looks like such a good time. I did not realize the sweet peas have a fragrance. I will have a sniff of mine tomorrow.
Donna, traditional sweet peas have an intense fragrance which I’m told no perfumer has ever been able to replicate. Some of the newer hybrids don’t have much scent.
How cute are you! Great to see you in Seattle. Hope you include a picture of yourself in each garden.
Oh, I don’t know Laurie, that would really not be a good thing for my super ego. Love you.~~Dee
Don’t you look happy! I haven’t been able to grow sweet peas either! What’s the deal with them? I’ve soaked, scratched, etc. Not even a sprout this year.
What awesome gardens you got to see. Thank you for sharing.
I was so very happy. It gets too hot here for them no matter what we do.
Wonderful garden share from your #seattlefling I sure wish I was there to smell the sweet peas with you <|;-)
Annie, I wish you were too.
That was the most lovely pair of gardens, ever, I agree, dear Dee. Having a neighbor that loves gardening as much as you do would be delightful. Thank you so much for sharing that pond photo !!!! 🙂
They were lovely gardens. I wish I were in as good shape as you are Frances dear.
I’m happy I got to be there for the first big whiff!
Carol, may we always be together on garden tours.
Oh PLEASE. .if you are THAT good. .bring the cold, rainy season with you back to the midwest. .please!! Vacations are always a nice break. .hope you enjoyed yours!
Melanie, I only wish I were that good. Good grief, this weather is hellish.
I love sweet peas and I, too, have not been successful with them since I left CA.
Mary, they are nearly impossible here from what everyone says. Too hot, too soon most years.
I’ve grown Sweet Peas, they’ll do okay here in the spring before the heat of May sets in and yes the scent is wonderful. Glad you are having such a good time Dee. Keep us posted. 🙂
Racquel, as soon as I get my bearings, I’ll write again. I have so much to tell.
Can’t believe I missed them, but hey, at least I get the Red Dirt Ramblings garden tour!!!!! See you soon………
Sorry you had to join us later Jim, but so glad you did.
What beautiful places you have seen. Those sweet peas are gorgeous…so are you.
Aww, Lisa, you are too good to me.
Uplifting post. Wonderful smile!
Sweet peas are fabulous and I’m forever cross that they bring me out in non-stop sneezes.
Esther
So THAT’s why it’s suddenly sunny and hot around here! I knew there had to be some reason! )I’m down in Oregon, but still experiencing the same weather). Sounds like you guys had fun! Sorry I couldn’t be there! 🙂
~Angela~
Oh yes, it was definitely us. 🙂