Mental Gymnastics

This morning I had an appointment to have my left shoulder examined by use of an MRI. I went into the hospital center in my town and proceeded to get this thing done. My main concern was that I would need to cough while confined in this tunnel.
I learned something today. Gratefully I made it without coughing - that came after I got up ! I learned that it is almost impossible to think with the noise like a jack hammer in your ear, even with ear plugs.

To entertain myself and not think about coughing I concentrated on making a mental trip all around my place and in my head name the various plantings I have put here. I could not keep up with that and count them, so here is what I was able to come up with. I am forewarning all that this is a long list and if you need to check out, go ahead and do it now.

I left from my back door and turned left to go around the northwest corner. The first plants which come into view are the Leyland Cypress - 9 in all, now as tall as my house. At the top of the rock wall is Blue Rug Juniper and under the Leyland Cypress is Vinca Minor -no periwinkle blooms in the fall. To my left are native ferns I did not plant and a Christmas Sasquansa which I did plant this spring, and it is blooming. Next on the left is a Savannah Holly at the south west corner. To the right, sort of under the Cypress is Japanese Iris which grows in a circle and almost covered by the Cypress is beautiful red blooming Quince, not thriving now. That plant came up here from my old house.

To the right, next is the cedar house where I keep small tools. At the south corner is planted a Gardenia which was started from a bloom my neighbor gave me. Near it is a dormant Butterfly Bush with English Ivy growing all around and Day Lilies which really need to be divided. Next is a Blackberry Lily, and Bearded Iris all around. Close by are two pink Guava planted by my son-in-law. To the south a bit is a small bed of Canna Lilies from my friend Louella. The lilies are now dead above ground but busy under the earth.

Several purple Illiam are in dormancy there too, but yellow Chrythsanthmum Pacificum is blooming and beautiful, beside a row of Liriope which has purple blooms in fall followed by round black seeds. Large Daffodils are sleeping undergound beside a large "Miss Huff" lantana with it's yellow/orange/pink blooms. In summer all around this area will be yarrow of varying colors, but now it is in sleep mode.

Across the rock steps is another huge Miss Huff lantana and a Peony which will have bowl size red blooms come next summer. So many Daffodils sleep under all this that it is hard to count when they come up in spring. Another favorite of mine is the Calla Lily which has died back to get ready for next summer. Right now purple Ageratum has seeded itself in and around here and a lot of other places where Gerbera Daisies once bloomed.

Taking a right turn around the rock walled in area is the Jane Saucer Magnolia which was planted about 12 years ago. The pink petaled blooms with the white backing is a unique sight in early spring. Now it is at least 15 feet tall. Beside it is an Alpine Spruce, one of three my daughter and son-in-law sent me at Christmas. They are a perfect cone shape and very slow growing, but beautiful none the less. About five yellow Forsythia plants along this side are now showing purple leaves instead of yellow blooms commonly called yellow bells. In the open area of this part of the yard are two Redbud trees, native trees for here. They look ugly now with the brown seed pods hanging there waiting for strong winds to send their seeds flying. Two Blueberry bushes in this area need to be transplanted. We now come upon the Stone Mountain Daisy in decline but still showing off round spiky seed pods.

Next in sight is the blackberry bed with four Arapaho thornless blackberries still showing green leaves. If we ventured further south we would come into the electric fenced in area of the raised beds. I have grown many vegetables there and asparagus grows yet, but dormant now. Many tomatoes, green beans, squash, cucumbers, kale, beets, swiss chard, sweet basil, purple beans, walking Egyptian onions, once were harvested from here for our table.

Moving north toward the curve is a bed filled with Iris, white and pink striped Amaryllis, Black Eyed Susan, and one Cherokee red rose bush. As my mind takes me down the gravel road I only see on my right hardwood trees and a few pines until I reach the well house where Iris is planted. Then by the red barn are pink and white Azaleas. On the north side of the barn is Red Tip Photenia now towering over the barn. North of them is a male Kiwi plant quite apart from the seven others which have their separate posts and wires to grow upon. Not far and to the left are two pear trees, one is called Orient, the other simply 411. The squirrels usually take them for their sweet treat in early fall. Next is the vineyard. Two dark, large Muscadines that Mr. Huffman planted are off to themselves. Around 21 vines are here plus one green seedless Niagra.

As we are now at the entrance we see the large Forsythia bushes outside the fence and the Stephens Holly inside under the power line. This year it was covered with red berries. Turning back and going south along the road the first grape vine here is called Cowart, a dark muscadine. About 4 more different varieties follow down the road. To the right of these vines is a row of Forsythia which my son and grandson planted. They will give a beautiful display of yellow next year. Two Black Bamboo plants, slow growing and non invasive, stand alone. Just this side of the foot bridge are two lavender Crepe Myrtle trees, gifts from my husband from Callaway Gardens in south Georgia. On either side of the foot bridge are yellow Stella D'oro Day Lilies. Looking up the hill toward the house are many Stewart Azaleas which my son Bruce planted for me. The railroad timber path up the hill was made by him and Jim for me many years ago on Mothers Day. This hill is covered in English Ivy and serves a purpose though it is very invasive. At the foot of the hill are two Hershey Azaleas transplanted by Reed, from near the red barn. many of the Azaleas along the pathway have sent out shoots and the hill next spring will be ablaze with melon colored blooms.

Back up the hill and around the curve are lemon yellow Day Lilies which have delicate fragrant blooms in summer. They are accompanied by white Achillia and in early spring some windmill flowers. Going on up toward the house is an Azaelea and a lavender Crepe Myrtle, a volunteer from the two at the bottom of he hill. They are just before the fenced in blueberry patch where 7 plants strive to produce plump blue berries. Next are five Burfordi Hollies transplanted from Bon and Jim's house many years ago. They grow so fast and are green all winter. Beside them is an outdoor bench and a pink Camellia. Also pink Oxallis, dwarf Nandina and still more Azaeleas. Next is another outdoor shed then more Azaleas and Monks Cap in summer, plus more Azaleas, a gardenia, and Camellia which blooms in winter. Looking straight ahead are four Crape Myrtles which produce bright red blooms and have lovely cinnamon colored trunks in very pleasing shapes.

Looking to the left and to the front of the house are Indian Hawthorn, both white and pink in front of the big front windows. along with the Azaleas and Pachysandra is more pink Oxyllis. Around the stone steps leading to the side entrance are Ajugs and a short type Liriope around the steps. At the corner is Daphne which blooms in January and smells heavenly. All by itself by the curving rock wall is a bed of oriental lilies which will come up in summer and look gorgeous. Purple Verbena is spreading around the pink rose Bush Bruce gave me and is competing with the pink Cosmos which loves this spot.

Above the wall are more Stone Mountain Daisies, Day Lilies, various sleeping bulbs, more Chrysanthmum Pacificum, Bee Balm, Winter Savory and Oregano smelling herbs. Planted haphazardly is moon glow Liriope, a white leafed plant. Behind the rock wall is a blue Plumbago, now dormant and Narcissis also dormant. Down in front of the rock wall is Autumn Joy Sedem and an outcropping of Confederate Jassemine which never bloomed.

At the other angle of the wall are more Iris, Ice Plants, pink Dianthus and Ivy coming over the wall.Also cascading over the rock wall is Ice Plant, so beautiful with the purple blooms most of the year. Before leaving the tour I must note the shrubs at the back of the house, Acuba with a shamrock holding its own in the shade of these spotted leaf shrubs. We have come full circle to the back door. I did not count the plants but there are so many which I have planted and which did not survive or have run their course. I have loved every minute of nurturing these growing wonders all around me.

The wonder of it all is that I could remember them with the jack hammer banging in my left ear, plus I had to hold still !