Archive for April 30, 2015

White House Garden Tour 2015

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There are all the other garden tours, but in the Washington, D.C. area, the “Golden Ticket” of Springtime events is the White House Garden Tour. I was so lucky to get an invitation from a friend (thank you, Karen!) who got some of these hard-to-get, wonderful tickets, and want to share some highlights here on the blog.

 

We had perfect weather — sunny and blue sky — and the gardens were beautiful. We were restricted to the pathways for security concerns, but even still, the views were breathtaking.

 

Tulip border garden surrounding the press area. Oval Office in background.

Tulip border garden surrounding the press area. Oval Office in background.

 

 

We had a great view of the Oval Office/press podium area which is bordered with the most beautiful tulip garden. No sighting of the President, but the White House Correspondents Dinner, otherwise known as the “Nerd Prom”, was held just the night before our tour.

 

The wisteria on the stair rails of the south portico were in full bloom.

The wisteria on the stair rails of the south portico were in full bloom.

Michelle's veggie garden is thriving!

Michelle’s veggie garden is thriving!

 

 

Of course, some of the newer highlights are the First Lady’s vegetable garden, and the first daughters’ swingset area. These were especially fun to see.  I hadn’t been on this tour since way back in the 1980’s; this was all new to me!

 

The first daughter's swingset is right outside the Oval office.

The first daughters’ swing set is right outside the Oval office. Must be comforting to look out and see kids playing while dealing with the country’s issues!

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the views of the monuments in the distance are so magnificent from the White House gardens….

Looking from the White House south lawn at the Washington monument. This is also where the famous Easter Egg Roll Party happens the Monday after Easter.

View from the White House south lawn looking at the Washington monument. This is where the famous Easter Egg Roll happens the Monday after Easter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I leave you with one last shot of our beautiful White House on such a gorgeous day.

I’ll leave you with one last shot of our beautiful White House on such a gorgeous day.

And now on to the next special event- --hope to see you there!

And now on to the next special event- — hope to see you there!

Happy Earth Day!

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Some Long-Awaited Springtime Color

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There’s a beautiful light spring rain keeping me inside today, so I will take a moment to catch up with the blog. Whenever I have a few hours of nice weather, I have been outside working my way around the garden, cutting back old growth in anticipation of beautiful new spring growth. Well — just like that — everything is turning green! And despite my efforts to get everything done and picture-worthy, it’s spring! I still have five large grasses to trim and 50 more bags of mulch to spread out, but I’m enjoying every minute of it! I promise to have everything in place by my next set of photos, but until then, here’s where I am now. Hope you will get outside and enjoy this season too, and feel the warm sun after this long winter.

The peartree is in full bloom today. The daylillies and euonymus are sporting their fresh new leaves.

The pear tree is in full bloom today. The daylilies and euonymus are sporting their fresh new leaves.

 

My sea of periwinkle blooms covers a drainage pipe from the rain gutter. With all the rain we've had this Spring, it is blooming like crazy!

My sea of periwinkle blooms covers and disguises a drainage pipe from the rain gutter. With all the rain we’ve had this spring, it is blooming like crazy!

 

If you have cement benches like these, don't forget to clean the algea from them. I like to use oxi-clean and rinse well. Doesn't hurt the plants.

If you have cement benches like these, don’t forget to clean the algae from them. Otherwise you will have a green seat from sitting on them. I like to use oxi-clean and then rinse well. Doesn’t hurt the plants.

Even the tendrils of pollen hanging from the curly willow are a daffodil yellow.

Even the tendrils of pollen hanging from the curly willow are a springtime yellow, and finally the grass is green again.

 

Even though it was damaged by heavy loads of Ice and snow this past winter the creeping phlox is starting to bloom.

Even though it was damaged by heavy loads of ice and snow this past winter, the creeping phlox is starting to bloom…

 

And very soon the cherry tree will join it!

…And very soon the cherry tree will join it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everything's getting a bit of a late start this year, but stay tuned, these buds will be out soon!

Everything is getting a late start this year, but stay tuned — these buds will be out soon!

 

The roses just opened their leaves yesterday, hoping for some blooms in a couple of weeks.

The roses just opened their leaves yesterday, hoping for some blooms in a couple of weeks.

So, until then, we'll have to wait and see if the wisteria is going to bloom this year. Fingers crossed it will! Enjoy your Spring

So, until then, we’ll have to wait and see if the wisteria is going to flower this year, fingers crossed it will! Enjoy your spring!

 

 

 

 

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