Saturday, April 14, 2012

Saturday Evening...

Construction is still underway on the little gourd Fairy-abode (if I build it, they will come, right?...), so I will share a couple of other things tonight ~

First, my sweet friend Wendy from Victorian Chocolate Molds sent me the nicest gift...she knows how much I love antique chocolate molds, and she created this tile for me with illustrations from a vintage Anton Reiche mold catalog (I wish I could go back about 80 years and order one of each! There were literally thousands of exquisitely detailed molds back then...) ~ ♥

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Isn't it beautiful? (The little Wanderer Bunny mold was an earlier gift from Wendy, as well...my favorite mold!) ~ Check out her Zazzle store here! (Thank you, dear Wendy, again!) ~

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

In my previous older homes, shade was practically all I had! So, I learned to love hosta, ferns, astilbe, etc....now, shade is at a premium ~ I have one little shade-garden on the east side of the house...

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Here is my little corner of shade! (It does get some morning sun)...the hydrangeas have all come out and are loaded with buds...

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This is King Solomon's Seal, a variegated variety  ~ I really love this plant! This one has moved with me from the "old neighborhood". It has such graceful, arching stems... Here is what I found online about it...


In England Solomon's Seal is sometimes known as David's Harp, after medieval religious art which portrayed David with an instrument hung with metal bells (similar to the plant's dangling blossoms) struck with hammers.


The reason for its more common name is not entirely certain, as it was assigned to the plant a long while ago. The predominant theory regards the starchy rhizome which grows each year another branching segment, with a "scar" left between each segment.

This root-scar is thought to be the reason for the name "Solomon's Seal," the plant sealing itself at each juncture leaving a mark some have likened to a Star of David. Additionally, it was once believed that juice from Solomon Seal roots possessed this same capacity to seal wounds of battle, just as it sealed its own wounds.

 
Interesting!


 
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Isn't this little hosta leaf pretty? I don't remember the name of this one, but the leaf looks like it's been painted in all those shades of green!

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My favorite fern; Japanese Painted Fern...love the purple stems and veining!



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The edge of the garden is planted in Knock-Out roses; it actually does get some sun...just enough...the house shades the rest of the plants from the hot afternoon sun.


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My St. Fiacre statue...Patron Saint of Gardeners (and cab drivers...who knew?) ~ :^)

Have a wonderful Sunday, all!

♥ ♥ ♥
Anne

34 comments:

  1. A sweet bunny ♥
    ( )_( )
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

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  2. Anne: Hosta's are one of my favorite shade plants. I have one that has grown quite large, but sad to say I don't know the name. You chocolate mold was a great gift..Happy Sunday..Judy

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  3. mmm utterly gorgeous...I am not gifted in the garden and have killed my hostas but I do like them so...maybe time to try again!!

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  4. Love the bunny chocolate mould - so sweet.
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  5. Anne, I will have to get some of those Japanese ferns...love the colors. Even shade garden can look pretty. Nice corner. Smiles, Susie

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  6. Thoroughly enjoyable learning about Solomon's Seal; it's beautiful! The little chocolate mold is pretty and I think I've got one in the shape of a bear.

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  7. That tile is so pretty! What a sweet gift. All your blooms & plants look great!

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  8. Sweet blog friend :0

    I love all those gorgeous plants!

    We are quite a ways from getting planting done here.

    Thanks for sharing your gorgeous plants!

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  9. That chocolate mold is wonderful I'm going to have to check out her store. Your gardens are lovely and I really like the fern. Can almost smell the roses.

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  10. I really love your shade garden!! I have a shady area I want to plant this year. I really like hostas too.

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  11. what lovely gardens and decorations....we have what we call the whimsey woods which we plant with shade lovers and fill with whimsical creatures! Loved this post
    Sandi

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  12. Like your new bunny mold gift. sandie

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  13. I love your shade corner! It's gorgeous. That's a very pretty tile. What a sweet gift.

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  14. You have a lovely garden! Here at my house the opposite is true. Sun is a premium here and all the sunniest spots are taken up by my beloved roses. I have many different varieties of shade plants and the Solomon's Seal grows wild here. I've never seen the variegated variety before, tho.

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  15. Sigh, hostas and ferns: two lovelies that are nearly impossible to grow where I live in Central Texas. Thanks for letting me live vicariously through you! Happy GBBD!

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  16. wonderful photos all...I too enjoyed the sunshine and gardening in my back yard today! thanks for coming by and leaving a comment; much appreciated!!! Do come again.

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  17. dear Anne, I'm so pleased you discovered my blog because that enabled me to discover your blog - love it - esp. hosta leaf, fern and everything else! cm

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  18. Dear Anne, thank you for coming to my space ... I want to thank you for visiting, and I love to accompany you on your blog.
    I love nature, plants, life ... is a nice beginning, a friendship.
    Thank you!
    A hug from Spain!

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  19. Hi loved looking at your lovely blog.....xxx

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  20. OOOOOh I love those old fashion molds ~ I am following you now and thanks for coming to my blog and following ~ Your blog is delightful ~ love the name and wonderful garden ~ Magical ! ~ thanks, namaste, ^_^ ~

    ps You might consider my blog hop Magical Monday Meme ~ thanks ^_^

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  21. Thanks for stopping by - you have a lovely blog and such wonderful pics. Just gorgeous.

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  22. Wonderful blog Anne. I am now following you back!
    Those Victorian chocolate molds are awesome. I've never seen anything like it.
    Have a wonderful creative week.

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  23. Thank you for your comment on MY blog - now I am hooked on yours! You have such a tender heart - I love, love, love your photographs, and your OLD photos of you as a child, and your parents (yes, I think Dad looks like Beaver!!!)

    We were just talking about getting some interesting looking hosts, and here you were! Thanks... I'll follow you on Pinterest, too!

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  24. HI Anne, Love your garden.. We have an ABUNDANCE of shade ---so my Hostas are doing GREAT... Love them--but don't know all about the different varieties...

    Love your statue... So he is the Patron Saint of Gardeners? That is NEAT!

    We grow roses --and have about 55 different varieties of Hybrid Tea and Grandiflora Rose Bushes. They are just now beginning to bloom...

    Thanks for coming to my blog. Please come back anytime. I am enjoying yours.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  25. Anne, your blog is beautiful! I will be signing up right after I finish this! I can hardly wait to have time to read more, so inspiring!

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  26. Hi and thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment!!! You have a pretty little shade garden and a beautiful blog!
    Happy Monday!

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  27. Anne,
    Thanks for stopping by my blog! So glad you found me. I love yor blog too.. I'm a follower! I love your sweey bunny mold!!
    Enjoy!
    Tracy

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  28. What a lovely gift from your friend. I like the way you positioned the mold with the images. And speaking of images, your photography is FABULOUS. I love the detailed tour of your shade garden the the information on the Solomon Seal. THANKS!

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  29. Anne loved the story about Solomon's Seal - living in the woods I have several that grow wild - always wondered about the name. Your roses are gorgeous. Take care and God Bless - "Pixie

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  30. Thank you for following my blog! I really like your garden, especially that Japanese fern and the roses. I had never heard of most of the plants you list up there, but then again, I'm such a beginner when it comes to gardening.

    ps.: I'm following you now as well.

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  31. oh i think your garden will be plenty magical and draw fairies to it.

    my mom had a chocolate mold like this one. there would only be one chocolate bunny! that was the best treasure to find.

    lovely to meet you ~

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  32. Love the St. Fiacra and shade corner...and that bunny paper is fantastic!

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  33. Hi, Anne. Enjoyed seeing your garden. I'll never be able to have a shade garden so I enjoy others' gardens. Yours is very pleasing.
    best, nadia

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  34. The bunny mold is just gorgeous! Will you be making chocolates with it? Your garden is looking lovely too.

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I love your thoughts and comments, and I read each and every one! Sometimes life gets in the way, though, and it takes me a while to respond...Thank you for understanding! ♥...Time is precious, and the time you have taken here is truly appreciated!