My name is Piper Woodring, and I live in Boone, North Carolina. Although I love to garden, and in my humble opinion, my yard is beautiful, this first photo I am sharing with you is of a field in our community. This lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus, Zones 3–8) started with plants on either side of the stairs to a stoop on a mobile home. When the resident passed away, the mobile home was moved away from this rented field. Typically, the flowers don’t make it to maturity before the field is mowed for hay. However, we have experienced a very wet spring, which prohibited the mowing.
I have enjoyed this view immensely. I hope you do as well!
I should add that I really have no “ formal gardens,” but our yard consists more of “areas.” I really love wildflowers, like this yellow lady’s slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum, Zones 2–6).
A white trillium (Trillium grandiflorum, Zones 4–7) shows a habit typical of its species of blushing pink as the blossoms age.
The bright orange–blooming bush is a flame azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum, Zones 5–8), or as we always called them, wild honeysuckle. They are prevalent in the wooded areas of our property, and this one has been growing close to our house for 30 years.
This past autumn, the leaf show was one of the prettiest in my memory.
A green view in the flush of spring growth.
The same spot, transformed in the colors of fall.
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Comments
The Lupine is fabulous, thank you for sharing. I love NC
Gorgeous photos! Thank you for sharing. The lupines are fabulous. Love your autumn photos...well, all are beautiful. Would love to see more!
I love the lupines. They should never be mowed down. Your pictures are beautiful. Thank ypu.
So so lovely! I really enjoyed seeing your photos!
Such an interesting story of how the Lupines started out, and became survivors of a "gone garden". Amazing to see all those shades of pink, lavender and purple. I just loved reading that story!
Also so interesting to see that gorgeous Flame Azalea, so mature growing next to your deck in your garden area, and then to learn that they actually grow wild in the woodland of NC.
I've really enjoyed this post.
Absolutely beautiful - all of it. Thank you .
Those lupines are out of this world. Love your area of the country.
Wonderful spring-fall juxtaposition! I also love your "wild honeysuckle" (wow, how many plants share that name!) and wish we had the bright orange around our home. I also love the lupine story - if they look this good being mowed every year, it is hard to argue with success!
So lovely, you really have an eye for beauty!
Loved this post.. So wonderful to see all the "ungardened" areas that Mother Nature creates for us. Thank you for sharing!
You live in such a naturally beautiful part of the country, Piper, and are doing your part in enhancing your own little part of it. Thank you for sharing that swath of lupines which has had a chance to show off their full gloriousness this spring.
So glad we got to see the lupines before mowing! Thank you!
Wonderful!
I didn't realize Lupines came in so many different shades, really beautiful ! And your photographing is just lovely. What a beautiful part of the country. Thanks for the views
The lupine are fabulous, what color. Loved your Fall scenes as well. Thanks for sharing.
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