Tag Archives: conifer

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

SPECTACULAR SPRING

posted by admin at 6:57 || under Monthly Newsletters

What a Spectacular Spring It Has Been

After what seemed months of cold, wet, snowy weather spring arrived. And what a spring we had. The poppies were amazing. The irises - gorgeous. And the roses fantastic.

Pink Double Ruffle Poppies - Iris - Roses

Many Clark Garden visitors have been impressed with the Peggy Martin Rose growing along the arbor at the Rose Pavilion. When we explain that those roses were planted from a one gallon container and are in their third year there is total disbelief.

Not only is the Peggy Martin beautiful, it has a great story. The rose survived Hurricane Katrina. Dr. William Welch, our featured speaker at our Spring Festival, shared the story. I hope you have a chance to take time to read Dr. Welch's article the Early History of the Peggy Martin. The history makes the rose even more beautiful.

A Walk Down Conifer Trail
One of my favorite paths in the gardens, especially this time of the year, is Conifer Trail. Conifer Trail starts at the far west side of the special needs parking lot bending to the north. It circles to the front side of the waterfall.

Red Hot Poker - Coreopsis - Purple Coneflower

It's a truly beautiful path. This is an area that Luis Villa and his wife Cathy Villa take care of. On the path there are several beautiful plants in bloom. One of my favorites is the Red Hot Poker.

This perennial, grows in full sun and is a member of Torch Lily, Kniphofia uvaria family. Ours provides dramatic red or yellow colored flower spikes reaching 2-3 feet in height.

Also along this path is a stunning display of Coreopsis, a Texas native wildflower.

The purple coneflowers are blooming too.

There are several different varieties of conifers along this trail. Among them is the deodor cedar. It is a stately, evergreen tree with needle like slender leaves.

Waterfall photo by Larry Cominski

Did you know the deodar tree is the national tree of Pakistan? I certainly didn't but according to Wikipedia it is and that among Hindus it is worshiped as a divine tree. You can read more about it here.

And of course along conifer trail you have the best picture perfect spot possible: the waterfall. (photo courtesy of Larry Cominsky)

The lazy days of summer are fast approaching. The daylilies have begun to bloom, the bluebonnets and poppies are gone and the peacocks are definitely strutting. Even the cacti have started blooming.

If you missed spring at Clark Gardens you can still experience the beauty on You Tube thanks to US-UK Alan Flewitt and gang. Follow this link for the April 2010 video.

Peacock - Cacti - Daylily

Vote for Clark Gardens...
...to receive a fruit orchard through Communities Take Root.

Clark Gardens is the perfect "outdoor classroom." This spring over 2,000 students have come to the garden to explore butterfly gardening, study the tree system, plant herb gardens and observe our abundant wildlife, from turtles, swans, frogs, lizards and even snakes.

Clark Gardens has applied for a grant offered by Dreyer's Fruit Bars and the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation. If awarded the grant would provide an orchard to use as a teaching tool. Vote for Clark Gardens. You may vote daily. Your vote will provide our community with a valuable teaching tool.

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Special Newsletter this Thursday
This Thursday we're sending out a special email newsletter with information about an interactive nature event that's sure to be fun for the whole family. Keep an eye on your inbox.

We look forward to seeing you in the Gardens.

- The Clark Gardens Family

Clark Gardens is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
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Clark Gardens Botanical Park
567 Maddux Road
Weatherford, Texas 76088
940-682-4856
www.clarkgardens.org

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