The gardens. Oh, I love the gardens! I think that is one of the most beautiful “slow down and take a breath” spots within the whole town.
And I think of those colonial women ---planning and plotting and working in their long skirts, their aprons, in the heat of a Virginia summer with its drenching humidity and oppressive stillness.
They had to grow food for their families, and even “in town” kitchen gardens were tucked in here and there, providing vegetables and berries, staples for colonial families.
Along with the vegetables, there were beautiful heirloom varieties of flowers and herbs ----and on our walk yesterday morning, Carolyn, Diane and I found ourselves bending over plants, looking close, examining!
You can walk through colonial veggie patches right in town. You can also purchase pots of heirloom varieties of plants – the same kinds of plants you would find if you had walked down these streets in 1750.
Come take a wander!
Pomegranate trees!
How often was the beautiful pomegranate fruit the inspiration for early applique designs? These will turn brilliant rosy red within the next couple of months.
At first glimpse I thought these long skinny fruits had to be some variety of cucumber…but check the shape of the leaves! Watermelons!
Stop along the herb beds and pinch a bit of rosemary between your fingers….rolling the leaves releases the wonderful fragrance that we still love today as much as colonial women did then. I love fresh rosemary!
What’s a kitchen garden without a row of peppers?
These are growing nicely ---they love Virginia’s hot-house heat and humidity!
Not all plants were cultivated to be eaten, some were planted just for their beauty. How delicate are these little purple and white pom pom flowers?
I bet you’d have to touch them too!
((Oh, and there is something about that purple color that is calling me!))
Tonight is my lecture and trunk show here in Williamsburg….I’m so excited to share my love of scrap quilts from those who have come far and wide…..our “furthest traveler” is here from FRANCE! How exciting to spend this time with everyone, making new friends!
Oh, those purple pom poms just sing!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen pomegranates on the branch before--and what fun watermelons!
As I sat at my desk this afternoon, I looked at the calendar and thought, "I should be in Williamsburg, quilting with Bonnie today. What was I thinking?" Hope you're having a great time!
ReplyDeleteWow, i Never knew we could grow pomegranates here...thought it got too cold in the winter...whacha think, Bonnie, should we give 'em a try here in hot NC?
ReplyDeleteThose pom pom plants are gomphrena or globe amaranth. They are great flowers for drying because they retain their color and shape. They also attract humming birds and butterflies.They are not a plant deer like to eat. I have heard you can make a tea with it to prevent your skin from aging. I always buy plants in NC and plant them in my garden.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. I've never seem pomegranates growing! Hope your trunk show and presentation goes well tonight, as I'm sure it will.
ReplyDeleteWe visited Williamsburg in May and I'm my picture is of the same pomegranate tree, only when it was in flower, the bloom was gorgeous. Not sure if you will be able to see this picture that I posted on Facebook
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I just love the gardens in Williamsburg ... you could make an entire trip revolve around all the gardens. The outlying plantations are amazing, too. The gardens at Monticello took my breath away ... too bad you can't squeeze a side trip in. Have a great evening!
ReplyDeleteIncredible - I've always loved eating pomegranates, but never knew what they looked like when growing. Didn't even know they grew in the US. They were just such an exotic thing to eat - can't say I even had one until I was in my thirties. Thanks for sharing these photos.
ReplyDeleteAh, I think those little purple and white flowers are Lantanas. Sure look like them. We had Lantanas in Florida. Great to plant in a veggie garden. Some scent about them chases bugs away! Alas, if you pick them, the flower droops and looks bad in about 1/2 hour! I used to try to collect them when I was a little girl.
ReplyDeleteGood to see you are relaxing while there Bonnie
Smiles, JulieinTN
Thank you so much for showing us these gardens! I was in Virginia early this summer and fell in love with all the history there. I'm glad you are enjoying your visit there. I wish I could be at one of your seminars.
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