I know, I’m late with this final article in the series. I was talking with Patsy Hubbard the other day and she said, “John I hope you know that you must write the final article of the tour series.” I felt like I hadn’t done my homework and I started to tell her that the dog ate it, but the real reason I’m late is that I needed to go to Tennessee and visit with my mother. It was a day or so after her 87th birthday. We planted some calla lily bulbs in her garden and had a nice visit. Here’s a picture of Mom, my brother, Billy, and me on the way to church. Mom has a lovely yard, too. (To see all of the articles in this series, Click Here.
Back to the tour. Lots and lots of people showed up. I was sorry that I didn’t get to visit the other homes on the tour, but I had a really good time visiting with friends and meeting lots of new people. I drank a little tea while sitting under the pergola in the morning but I didn’t get to sit much after that
It was a beautiful day. The clouds added accents to the marvelous view without obscuring it. Here’s the front fountain with the view in the background:
There are lots of urns around the house. I really loved the shape and beauty of this begonia. What a find.
The rear entrance to the back porch looked inviting. Chipmunks had messed up the plantings the night before and I had to do some really quick fixing.
I love this view down the front pathway. A lot of people commented on and asked about the Cephalotaxus, (plum yew).
I enjoy putting little container accents here and there as a surprise.
Some (but not all) of the roses I had pruned to delay flowering had come back in bloom right on time. I didn’t really get the show I wanted from the roses—but you know what I said in an earlier article—“No guts, no glory.”
The sitting area under the trellis was put together by Laurie Hubbard and Ramona Fricks. It was well used as the day went by.
One of the things I like about this garden is the way in which the accent plantings blend in with the grander vistas from the mountain top. I wasn’t the only one who enjoyed it, either.
The man who built this bridge was the inspiration for my novel, Requiem for a Redneck. The book tells about the details involved such a project. RIP, Ottis, you would have been proud.
All in all, it was a wonderful day. I loved the girl with the umbrella.
To read about Johntheplantman and the rednecks, As usual, I would just love for you click here to go to Amazon and purchase the ebook edition of my wonderful book, Requiem for a Redneck to go on your Kindle. I have also noticed that Amazon now has a free Kindle app for iphones and tablets. Is that cool or what? If you want a consultation in your yard in N.W. Georgia, send me an email at wherdepony@bellsouth.net
johntheplantman--Gardening 
John, I met you at the very end of the day on the tour. I was the one who drove folks up to the house and back down again. You let me go to the restroom (a favor for which I am eternally grateful), and told me when to transplant my hydrangea bush. We had a wonderful conversation about education, and then you signed a copy of your book for me- I think I amused you… I read the book and was taken into a world that was both poignant and familiar. You even mentioned my best friend’s father, Grover Higgins. I just want to say thank you for the conversation and for the book. I hope to see you again and hear more!
Jenny