Today’s photos are from Irvin and Pauline Faria. Irvin says, “The drought here in Carmichael, California, continues to remain a major threat to trees and plants, with some tree species in the Sacramento area already displaying brown foliage. We hope that our addition of mulch throughout the landscape, extensive ground cover plantings of Lamium maculatum, and the canopy of shade provided by oak trees will be adequate to preserve the understory of Japanese maples and plants.

“Our spring open garden day of “Pauline’s Garden” was a wonderful success with over 200 visitors strolling through the woodland landscape. Visitors marveled at the tranquility and serenity characteristic in gardens carved from the native woodland. They described it as “refreshingly cool, pristine, and serene”.

‘Our spring garden offered an unusually stunning display of color, texture, and form while boasting an incredible variation in foliage. Here are some scenes of the garden as it appeared during the recent open garden day. Never failing to please visitors is a ‘Crimson Queen’ Japanese maple placed against the contrasting green background and contrasting pink dogwood blossoms. It remains a focal point of the inner garden.

‘Azaleas already achieved their zenith–consequently, the beauty of blooming roses and climbing clematis now prevail. A recently added feature is a border garden especially designed to attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. In that regard, to our delight two hummingbirds elected to construct their magnificently structured nests in Japanese maple trees of the inner garden.”

Every time I think I’ve see everything in your garden, you prove me wrong. Lovely, Irvin and Pauline, as always. Thank you!!

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