Sunday, June 5, 2011

Along the Garden Path ~ Achillea

I don't know why, but to me Achillea, commonly called Yarrow, has such a perky, happy flower, particularly the yellow types; they are wonderful to cut for bouquets, and in addition  make superior dried flowers. My favorite is the apply  named, Achillea 'Moonshine', here you see it planted in the gravel garden where it really stands out against the gray of the rocks. The flowers are very long lasting and the plants are quite easy to grow.



I love the combination of the yellow flowers and the blue-grey succulents

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This little guy stepped out of the nearby pond...it looks like he is enjoying all the flowers too, or maybe the  beneficial insects they attract. Don't eat too many my friend, I need them for their help in the garden!


This gravel garden is a new area for me, planted last year it is just beginning to take shape; the plants are finally filling in and beginning to spill over in the way I had envisioned. I am pleased with the effect and...and it saves on water, a major plus here in drought-ridden Southern California.


          What's growing along your garden path today? I hope that it is something that makes you happy.



This post has been linked to: http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/, http://www.anoregoncottage.com/, http://www.thelittleroundtable.com/, http://verymerryvintagestyle.blogspot.com/


30 comments:

  1. I've recently relocated form Southern Cal to New England. I used to have wonderful succulents, I love the subtle colors and textures, and I kept as many varieties as I could find in beautiful blue and green pots on my screened porch. I'm now enjoying all the eastern spring flowers, but also missing the amazing gardens of California.

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  2. Your pictures always make me so happy Adrienne! :)

    I don't have paths in my garden....YET! Someday. But in the front border, the most beautiful salmon colored rose bloomed yesterday!

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  3. My paths in the garden are pretty sad right now. Maybe someday! In the meantime, I enjoy visiting your beautiful garden!

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  4. Hello Adrienne:
    The Achillea 'Moonshine' with its silvery foliage does look very good indeed against your other glaucous leaved plants. The Achilleas are generally tough and, as you say, good value in a dry area.

    We do not know if you have heard of Beth Chatto, a great gardener who is the East of England where rainfall is very low. Her book on the creation of her Dry Garden has become a well thumbed reference for those who garden in dry conditions and you may just find it of interest too.

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  5. The yellow achillea looks perfect next to the green foliage and the grey gravel. Your image has a dreamy effect...cameras are fun to play with!

    My paths are lined with Lady's Mantle and Pride of London.
    I have just had a young fellow top up the gravel drive and paths...such heavy work is better for the strong !

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  6. Adrienne, I don't have a garden path, but I sure enjoyed my walk along yours this morning, Just beautiful and love your photography skills, so beautiful. Happy Sunday Kathysue

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  7. Your garden must be a true delight to the heart and soul.
    When I am in the garden my soul is sunshine
    and I feel that yours is also.....
    Smiles, Dottie

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  8. Yellow flowers remind me of sunshine and happiness. Beautiful photos.

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  9. who will care for your garden while you travel? yellow & silvery tones in the sunshine are so lovely. our garden has been quite neglected due to JPE's work, my foot, and other weekend responsibilities. hope to get things back in shape when work is manageable & we are off for a chunk of time...

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  10. My kids would love the tree...I would love to just sit and take in all that beauty.

    Have a wonderful week in your lovely garden.
    Cindy

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  11. I'm wondering if this is the same yarrow plant out of which they make medicinal teas? I used to administer it to my daughter to break fevers.

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  12. Such beautiful pictures. I always enjoy sharing your blog with my husband. Have a lovely week ahead in your flower beds.

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  13. Your pictures are beautiful. This is a really lovely part of your garden.

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  14. Your garden looks so beautiful...I love the yarrow. I'm thinking that I heard the plant is invasive, that always makes me a little nervous. I grew Monarda for awhile and it ended up everywhere.

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  15. Your garden is lovely, Adrienne. I love yarrow for drying in flower arrangements. Your photos are wonderful!

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  16. This is another gorgeous post Adrienne.

    I love yarrow. Used to grow it at the farm. Harvested and dried it every year. So easy to dry.

    J told me the snowball bush is from a cutting. I am wondering if it was taken from the original plant with roots still attached. I will have to ask my daughter. I guess you could do it with a cutting though. It would root from the stem somehow or other, in water, then planted. Just guessing.:-)

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  17. Yellow is such a happy color...your flowers are so pretty!
    Rene

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  18. what a lovely lovely garden... and your blog banner, oh my God, it took my breath away... so lovely it is! Thanks for participating in our Show Off Your Cottage Monday and brining me here! Have the most enchanted day

    Cielo

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  19. Oh, this post looks like a dream! The yellow blooms are so beautiful and your snaps are so pretty!
    thanks for popping in to see me.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  20. Bonjour Adrienne - yes I live in a city with nice weather, but not sure if the price tag is worth it ;-)

    Your garden path is so gorgeous and real inviting. I'm sure it's a real pleasure to walk around it everyday.
    -Marie

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  21. I garden in Oregon, where this year, water has not been a problem....too much maybe! I don't have a red yarrow but, not yellow, in my garden and it is equally as hardy. Love your gravel path!

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  22. I just love paths in the garden. Maybe it is the mystery of what is down the path in front of you? Love the yarrow. I've never grown that and wondering if it would grow in my zone...beautiful pics!

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  23. Hello from Fresno :-) Your gardens look fabulous! I love-love-love to garden... something very spritual about it to me.

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  24. Gorgeous garden path and gravel garden! I loved seeing the lovely xeriscape gardens when we were in Palm Desert. It still amazed me how much grass was still being planted, however. I'd love to have something like yours here in the midwest, but I am just not a gardener and don't have a clue as to if it would survive or not! Visiting from Mary's party.
    :-) Sue

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  25. Loving your froggie and your yarrow is lovely!

    Thanks for joining the garden party,
    Candy

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  26. Yellow and blue is just beautiful. I love them.

    Suffia

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  27. Your flowers are beautiful. I love the second photo! Thanks so much for linking up to Share the Love Wednesday!
    Mary

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  28. Love the last photo with the sun coming through the trees. Very pretty yard.

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  29. You are so right, Adrienne. Yellow is such a cheery color for flowers in the garden. And your smiling frog is just adorable! I had a really cute one in one of my daffodil gardens - until the Yankee accidentally broke off one of his little legs. :(

    Have a terrific weekend!

    Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
    http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

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  30. Coming over from Little Round Table's garden party to peek around! pretty pathway! i host a garden party on Thursday's & would love to have link up sometime? xoxo, tracie

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