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The Shy Gardener

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It's Easy Being Green

Shelley Barnett

Jul 20, 2018

It's Easy Being Green

According to Kermit, "It's not that easy being green; having to spend each day the color of the leaves." I believe it IS easy being green and beautiful too. Green sounds simple, a single color that surrounds us in the spring and summer. It's one of nature's neutrals and it becomes a backdrop to the other colors. But when you look more closely, you discover there is more to green than you first thought. It's blended with other colors as nature transitions in the spring and fal

My Tiniest Garden

Shelley Barnett

May 31, 2018

My Tiniest Garden

We love all things tiny . . . tiny humans, tiny houses, tiny versions of our favorite foods. Why not create tiny gardens too? As a childhood dollhouse owner and lover of anything miniature, this idea was made for me. When my sister gave me the sweetest mini garden bench, I was excited to create my tiniest garden yet. The idea of miniature gardens has been around for awhile as fairy gardens and terrariums. Even the pots we plant on the deck are mini gardens of a sort. But this

Monarchs of the Meadow

Shelley Barnett

Oct 7, 2017

Monarchs of the Meadow

Walking in my local meadow is a favorite pastime of mine. Since not seeing any monarch butterflies there in 2014, I've noticed an increase in activity every year since. First I saw a couple of butterflies, then a few more, until finally this year I saw lots of butterflies and caterpillars. It was joyous to witness the change and I am glad the butterflies have found this special spot. The abundance of milkweed attracts the monarchs to the meadow. It attracts others as well. Th

Busy Bees

Shelley Barnett

Sep 18, 2017

Busy Bees

It's September and the bees are in a frenzied state gathering every bit of nectar and pollen they can from the late season flowers. They need to gather enough food to survive the winter. The bees bump each other off flowers in their eagerness . . . and roll around collecting pollen in a frantic state. Some bees collect pollen in baskets on their hind legs and are able to carry almost half their body weight. Late season flowers such as sedum, asters, goldenrod, phlox, blue spi

Luscious Lotus

Shelley Barnett

Aug 11, 2017

Luscious Lotus

There is a treasure in my neighborhood that is unexpected and beautiful. In a garden, in a small pond, is the most wonderful lotus plant. The leaves are bigger than my head, the flowers are glorious and the seed pods, so interesting. The woman who has the lotus says she doesn't own it but rather she tends and cares for it. "Who could own such beauty?" she asks. The lotus is a mysterious flower, so luscious and amazing. It has breathtaking elegance and delicacy. It is not sur

Transformations

Shelley Barnett

Jul 16, 2017

Transformations

I am intrigued by nature's transformations finding them beautiful and unique. Observing these transitions over days, weeks and years, I photographed seasons changing, flowers blooming, and berries ripening. Recorded trees in spring going from bud, to flower and finally to leaf. Though I have enjoyed watching all aspects of nature transform . . . the transformation of flowers holds a special place for me. Peony Black Eyed Susan Aster Zinnia Allium Hydrangea Anemone Daffodil Pa

The Dirt on Spring

Shelley Barnett

May 12, 2017

The Dirt on Spring

I love the smell of dirt on my hands after they have been scrubbed clean. It means I have been digging in the garden long enough that the fragrant proof cannot be erased. My joy from gardening is only slightly less than that of my boys' joy from playing in a mud pit. I am similarly all smiles and dirt though nobody takes my picture because of it. After spending the winter largely inside I am eager to get out into my yard. I jump into spring clean-up mode which reconnects me w

The Shy Gardener