Gardening with Tess!

I have a friend in the beautiful state of Virginia.  

Tess lives a bit south of Richmond and has a lovely home on generously sized lot that she and her hubby have turned into a gracious, almost park like setting 
  
I asked her if she wouldn't mind my sharing her gardens with my blog friends and thankfully she said yes! 

The magic for Tess begins in late March early April. 
As you can see she has an striking display 
of Dogwoods,  Azaleas and Rhododendrons!  

The property has very acidic soil, which really helps 
with their intense coloring.  I'm so jealous!  
Our winters are a bit too harsh and I had very
poor luck with Azaleas and Rhododendrons.
I threw in the towel on them (Or should I say shovel)!

This is a large island out front of their home 
that I'm certain wows everybody that goes by!  

This year some of the neighborhood teens going to prom asked 
to have their photographs taken with this as their backdrop!  

Right after that her Peonies and Iris were in their
glory.  I love her Helleri Hollies and how perfect their shape is!  
Did I mention how meticulous Tess is?  
I see a Clematis climbing the light post too!
At the end of the driveway you can see her Orange Harvest Iris 
like the ones I have, and recently posted about.  
We both ordered them 3 years ago and this year was their best for both of us!

A stand of mature trees offers some beautiful shade
as summer climbs in. 

A recent photo deep in the back where she can view all her  gardens and relax in the shade.  I can imagine sitting here and dreaming about what I want to do next!  I'm always thinking of ways to improve what I've done!  There isn't much reason to improve here, but that's part of the fun...what can I do next!


The Blues....
I have to display a few of these pictures which show off her Endless Summer Hydrangeas that are in full bloom right now!  I've (jokingly) accused her of using spray paint, but again that natural acidic soil they have plays a major roll in the intense blue color she gets!

See what I mean!!  Seriously who gets such blue hydrangeas!  Not me!  
I've added the trick ingredients but mine never quite look this color!

  Isn't she a lucky lady!  Of course it has nothing to do with her obvious 
gardening talent and all the time she puts into it!  

She is also lucky enough to have Impatiens that come back on their own every year.  Of course a bird bath is a necessary element in every garden if you want to enjoy the birds.

She does have one big problem with Voles.  She's learned the hard way to plant some things in pots- even her hostas have to be potted. She's tried many things but has resorted to potting them up to keep the varmints away! 
Voles love to eat the vegetation and roots.  

Of course you have to have some day lilies in the garden. 

 Gardenias- how nice!

She says the smell is awesome! I can only imagine since
we don't get those to grow up here!  

Her screened in gazebo and decking are surrounded by 
Pieris Japonica

Great spot for relaxing!

It would be nice to sit and enjoy the yard from here wouldn't it?  


I love the aqua tones she picked for the deck this year! It's perfect!

Or this wouldn't be a bad spot to enjoy it either!
Ahhh....Summertime....and the livin' is easy....

A view from above....
I like how she created the  sort of "U" shaped area in
the yard.  It creates some privacy and a more beautiful surrounding!  

Tess

This is the star of the show! 
I love this picture of her and borrowed it from 
her Facebook page!  


I hope you enjoyed seeing her lovely gardens 
and will leave some kind thoughts about it!


Thanks as always for visiting!
Liz


Please join me at the following parties:
I'm joining Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson 
for her Share Your Cup Thursday linky party

Fishtail Cottage for the

  Garden party

Delightsome Life
Home and Garden party