Turkey Day

Heavy fog going down the mountian this morning, only other cars were 5 stopped for speeding.
Parking at Charlotte a cinch - there must have been 8 'directors' showing me to the only free parking space. Departures at the airport empty . My boarding pass that I printed at home worked fine, checked my only bag, go to board and am told my seat has been cancelled. That happens sometimes says the agent ... Get to Kennedy - check in with Swiss and I'm told I'm an infant.. New security rules requiring middle initials dont work for me - Tamsin F - is translated by the airline system as an infant ... TAMS INF.

Come and join The North Carolina State Theatre Gardeners Club as we create and grow one of the most beautiful gardens in Flat Rock . Over 150 ferns have been planted along this walkway from Robin Farquhars memorial cairn.

NIght Blooming Cereus

This is one of the most beautiful flowers ever seen - call me if you would like a plant - very easy to take cuttings....

Why FRP gardeners wear kneepads!

Edgeworthia Chrysanthia in full flower

Seeding the new lawn.

Lovers of gardening come join us at The Flat Rock Playhouse Tuesdays and Fridays 9.30am

For anyone who missed the Youtheatre production of Schoolhouse Rock you missed a great show - Last years Orphan Train was outstanding which made us come back for this years production. We'll be there for every show you ever do. Congratulations, - amazing talent - you will all reach the stars.

In the grounds of the playhouse the grass seed is spread - Straw scattered and it's even rained at the right time at the right amount!

and today in the rain ....
Libby and I made aprons for InspiredArts and even some pots are looking good.

Robin's Path

We've come a long way! - In just a week look how a pile of apparent rubble is turning into a wonderful path.

Come join the fun on Tuesdays and Fridays 9.30am. Bring clippers, small trowel, a level and gloves.

This week we'll start seeding the volley ball court.

STARTING A FOREST, ONE TREE AT A TIME.

With the new strain of blight resistant American chestnut tree planted and rocks delivered, we'll meet March 16th at 9.30am. For more information please see http://www.acf.org/

If you have please bring a level - 2x4 - heavy duty gloves and clippers.

I would also like to feed the perenial beds with 10-10-10.

This Tuesday we also welcome the 2010 Master Gardener interns and their mentors for a tour of the Flat Rock Playhouse Gardens.

Think Positive ! Friday March 5 is going to be a wonderful day!
We'll meet at 9.30am at the Flat Rock Playhouse for spring clean up.
Sandie and Donna Hastie will be your leaders.

Windchill Factor of Zero?

If you brave it out to the Playhouse Tomorrow - I believe those of us from the snowy climes of Wisconsin may be gardening on our own!

See you next Tuesday, 2 March

Friday 26th Feb - Flat Rock Playhouse

To all garden lovers - we'll be gardening at the Flat Rock Playhouse on Friday at 9.30am.
Yes, it'll be colder than 50 degrees, but I only promised MG's we wouldn't garden under 50.

Bring your friends and if you are an MG, bring yourself, clippers, a bucket or large canvas/sheet to haul debris.

You wont believe the work Wayne did for us.


See you Friday - Tamsin

FlatRock Playhouse - 1st day back on the job. 2010

The snow had all but gone; temperature was in the low 50's; no wind and the sun was shining. A perfect day to start the 2010 season. Pete couldn't wait to start the new roof to the wishing-well, history will tell if Georgia was happy or not. The rest of us moved plants, winter debris, and soil for Robin's memorial path while Annette tackled winter damage.

The Dead-Mud process

Today I was asked to figure out how much 'Dead-Mud' I'd be bringing to the show?

Hamamelis

Even when winter refuses to fade my dear witchhazel brings cheer and beauty

NC Native Plants Symposium - 20 Feb 9.00am

Please consider joining us at the NC Arboretum 9.00am - 3pm, for a free symposium on Native plants in our area... speakers will be :-

Alan Mizeras
Tom Baugh
Gary Walker
Scott Dean

For more information www.ncwildflower.org/index.php/site/event_details/calander-wnd-native-plant-symposium

Please RSVP to Mitch at mitch@ncwildflower.org or call at 828 505 2467 - Limited to 150 attendees - It's a BYOL - Bring Your Own Lunch - event.

FlatRock Playhouse Winter Projects

Great meeting this morning and a big thank you to all who braved the threat of more winter storm warnings.

Feb 23rd - 9.30am - I'll be at The Playhouse to plan the path to Robin's Cairn. If the weather has improved, we'll do sub-shrub pruning and 10-10-10 fertilizing of the appropriate perenial beds.

For the weeks to follow, there's enough to do to get us back into tip-top phsyical shape..

Mar 2 - Removal of the top soil for the path and placement of sand from the Volley Ball court.

Mar 9 - Preparation of sand and soil for seeding of the lawn.

Mar 11 - Chestnut tree planting

Mar 16 - Seeding..

Mar 23 - Path laying - (and already we're into spring!)

Mar 30 - Correcting crumbled rock wall ..

Everyone is always welcome

AMERICAN CHESTNUT TREES

Exciting news !

March 11th at 10.30am Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy and at 11.15am The Flat Rock Playhouse will receive and plant the new fungal resistant American Chestnut trees.

We are honored and proud to be a part of this program...and look forward to the raising these magnificent trees - Thank You Chris McDonnell and The American Chestnut Society in Asheville.

For further information please visit The American Chestnut Foundation at http://www.acf.org/

Flat Rock Playhouse Gardening Club

Please join The Flat Rock Playhouse Gardening Club. If you love gardening, beautiful settings and wonderful people come see and hear what's happening at our Welcome Coffee Get Together - Feb 9th at 10.30am at The Playhouse, North Carolina's State Theatre. Please RSVP to hyronslanding@gmail.com.......................
We welcome new members and meet every Tuesday morning when temperatures are over 50 degrees to renovate the gardens of the theatre

The Inspired Dead Mud process has started.

Edgeworthia Chrysantha Jan 25 2010

So far this magnificent specimen has survived the bitter cold of this winter with night time temps dropping to 9 degrees. ....and she is looking good!

Jesca Monamatapa

A new challenge, watch this space. I hope she'll be 4-5ft tall.

When Live Mud turns to Dead Mud

Gardening season over - it's time to pay attention to indoor creations and make labels for all those fabulous new plants at the Flat Rock Playhouse.

'The Dratted Deer'

As a MG I think the question I get asked the most at social functions is 'What can I plant that the deer wont eat' - frankly - the answer is nothing - If deer are hungry enough they will eat everything. However there are some plants that they don't like and I found a wonderful list for the Carolinas written by Margot Rochester shortly before she died in October 2008.

Shrubs - (the garden's skeleton)
Aucuba, chokeberry, barberry, buddleia. common boxwood. chinese juniper. false cyprus (Chamaecyparis) inkberry, American hollies, mountain laurel, kerria, beautybush, mahonia, and nandina.

Perenials -
Yarrow, alliums, amsonia, anemones, native columbine, artemesias, butterfly weed, baptisia, plumbago chrysanthemums, crocosima, coreopsis, coneflowers, Joe Pye weed, euphorbia and geum.