This is Cornus controversa 'Variegata'. I bought this about 20 years ago as a very expensive little twig. When I moved to Santa Cruz, it was one of the plants I dug up and brought with me.


As soon as this gets finished (maybe tomorrow).. I can start planting Iris.. It's just down to details now..


A good many of the roses are out now..
'Sherry' and 'Hot Cocoa'


'Ellen Wilmott' is a lovely single that is covered in blooms now...


There are two roses named 'Twilight Zone'.. This is the older and lighter of the two


The girls are always happy to get out of the coop...

Good to see progress! I can see why you brought the tree with you. It is beautiful

I so agree that tree is beautiful as are all your pictures including the hens. You must have a large yard in order to have chickens and live outside a city.

Yes, Betty.. It's a large yard.. I'm on 12 acres and 6 miles out of town. I'm getting to that point in my life where I'm beginning to think that 1 acre and being closer to town might be a good thing..

Love your tree. The form is really wonderful.

Sherry from your pictures it looked like you have plenty of room. I would think it would be difficult to leave your lovely garden, although I understand what you are saying about taking care of a smaller place.

The new beds look great.

Lovely photographs and my favorites...are of the dog. I love dogs.

I haven't been without a dog since I was on my own.. I just never thought it would be poodles ( poodles happen)...

They do. My grandmother bred Toy Poodles, which my father always disparaged...until Grandma made him take one.

Plants, poodles and cats. You can go wrong with that mix. You gardens are inspired. Love the Wisteria jap. 'Black Dragon'. Looking forward to seeing the new completed.

I've been busy in the garden.. I had an open garden a couple of weeks ago and had to get everything all tidied up.. Hoses coiled, patios swept, paths raked, orchard mowed..

It's been all about the Iris these past several weeks. This was the vegetable garden.. Oh wait.. there's still asparagus, so technically I can still call it that.


In my new Iris garden, I've been enjoying some first time bloomers.
'Engagement Ring', 'Sordid Lives'


'Yours Truly' & Rainbow High'


In the entry garden, the Black Swan Beech tree make a great backdrop for Iris 'Leading Light'.
'Tea Clipper' Rose is in the same bed. I can't believe how many petals are packed into each flower.


On the other end of the petal spectrum is Rosa glauca (aka rubrifolia)


A mixed border with Iris, Roses, Heuchera, California poppies and native Penstemon..


Clematis is blooming.. this one is jackmanii.. The gold foliage in the background is a Cotinus 'Golden Spirit'
The Heuchera is a variety named 'Rosada'.. It's hard to find flowering forms these days over the fancy foliage forms.


Weasel, plotting my demise, no doubt... just look at her claws..

Your garden looks magazine picture perfect.

Love that you named a cat Weasel!

Lovely, Sherry. I agree that dark red/burgundy foliage is a wonderful backdrop for Leading Light.

Wow..really enjoyed seeing your garden. Love the double Japanese wisteria!! Enjoyed your critters, too.

Ahhhh, so lovely Sherry, makes me wish I had been able to come that tour day but hubby was out of town, leaving me with the big ol' clunker truck. I hope I can come down one day though and tour it in person but these shots are the next best thing.

Spring has been exceptionally lovely this year due to a warm winter and decent rain.


The "Keyhole" Iris garden I started the summer before last.. This was all weeds, and I had my burn pile here. I needed more room for all the Iris I'd been acquiring.


The "Vegetable Garden" (I still have asparagus here)



This area used to be a horse corral..

FABULOUS! Lovely that you have the space to spread out and make such nice inviting curves in your paths and beds.

What golden variegated cistus is that in the last picture? Is it Rock Rose (Cistus x hybridus 'Mickie') ?

Beautifully laid out. The gardens are wonderful.

Glorious, Sherry! I love the way that red iris echoes the foliage colors!