summer at the arboretum

Summertime, and the livin' is easy...

NC Arboretum near Asheville

Recently hubby and I headed west to Asheville and revisited the North Carolina Arboretum. Last time was in early April, no leaves, no flowers, but we enjoyed the empty limbs as we walked through the woods.












This trip, we hiked the Bent Creek Trail. And the rhododendrons were gloriously blooming.

All stages of development were evident. The pink buds swell, and the color fades to white as they open. 










Once the bloom ebbs, the individual flowers fall off.  For the first time I noted that each of the hundred flowers that make up the full blossom have five petals

From the cafe's screened porch, we watched construction on some new addition and munched a delicious apricot chicken salad sandwich. 

But the biggest difference between trips of course, was the flowers. I loved the pots in the water feature, and the simple repetition in the design of the wall behind the feature.













The quilt garden flouted common species, but some unusual forms and cultivars. I imagined turning a particular bothersome section of my garden into a mini-quilt next year. 

Like an umbrella in a beach drink, there was another excellent art display.  I was captivated with the images Barbara Sammons created using a photographic scanner instead of a camera. Be sure to use the link to see her stunning images of flowers, some manipulated electronically.

If you haven't been to the Arboretum recently--you really need to go. You wouldn't want to miss the gem.