Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Edith J. Carrier Arboretum & Botanical Gardens Pt. 1

 

Edith_J_Carrier_Arboretum

While on Vacation on the last day we went to visit the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and Gardens.
It was a lovely  getaway setting right in Harrisonburg, Virginia amongst the James Madison University.

EJC_Dogwood While walking on the trails around the arboretum and looking at some of the trees that were still in flower  we saw evidence of remnants of how beautiful it must have looked  in early spring with all of the daffodils, flowering shrubs and azaleas that were planted.

EJC_Angel
In spots along the trails it was not uncommon to come upon many lovely statues that were tucked in here and there.
Along with the sound of the birds chirping and the quiet surroundings even in midst of a bustling Campus it still had such a peaceful atmosphere.

EJC_Bench_Stone We sat upon a few of the benches on our walk around the arboretum and just soaked it all in or watched a chipmunk scampering around looking for its lunch.

 EJC_Fairy 
Although the azaleas had lost their blooms there were several late blooming Rhododendrons blooming in the shade of the trees.

Ejc_Rhododendron2

EJC_AutumnGold_Mainedhair_Tree2
The leaves of this ‘Autumn Gold Maiden Haired’ tree were so pretty shimmering where the sun was filtering in upon them.

EJC_Aruncus_Goatsbeard
Aruncus ‘Goats Beard’ were in bloom and helped lightened up the shady paths and trails.

EJC_Indian_Pipe And there were many native plants along the trails such as these ‘Indian Pipe’s’.

EJC_Citronella_Heuchera_Ferns
Woodland ferns and some ‘Citronella’ Heuchera’s were planted where a just a touch of sunlight broke through the trees.

EJC_Statue

With heavy rains the night before the waterfalls and the pond had overflowed.

EdithJCarrier_Waterfalls

The pond was muddy from the rain but it was still such a lovely spot.

EJC_Pond_WeepingWillow

With college graduations that day there were several students and their parents coming to the pond area to get pictures of the newly graduated in their caps and gowns.
EJC_Lunchtime
With many benches all around the pond it was a great spot to set and have a bit of lunch and spend a few hours watching the wildlife. Or if you like to jog there was a running trail where we saw many people were out for a run that day.

EJC_Floatingbed_Turtles2 This floating planter in the middle of the pond was the favorite sunning spot for the water turtles.

EJC_Nine_Ducklings2 This mother duck had nine little ones swimming around in the pond. I do not know if they were all hers or if she was babysitting.

EJC_Duck_Mallard He was not help at all. LOL!

EJC_Duck2 They took no notice of us and we could walk up real close to them but one little toddler was trying to catch them and they were not sitting still for that and took back to the water.

EJC_ShadeGardenBed 
I will share some pictures of the Botanical garden and plants in another posting because I took too many pictures to try to cram them into one posting.

EJC_Rhododendron

Happy Gardening,
Lona

14 comments:

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Lona girl I am writing on the fly here because you asked me what the flower was in one of my pictures (otherwise I would write a long comment on this gorgeous post!)
It is an annual euphorbia, not Diamond Frost but another selection of the same plant though .. I just plant a load of black petunias to offset them (the bunny seems to like snacking on the euphorbia though .. oops !) So that is what the plant is .. I only wish they could make a perennial of these because they are so pretty eh ?
Joy
PS .. I am on my way to bed .. long garden day for me ;-)

Balisha said...

Oh, I loved this place. The statues were as pretty as the plantings. I'll bet you really enjoyed your visit there. More pictures please.
Balisha

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

So very happy you stopped by the JMU Botanical Gardens and Edith J Carrier Arboretum!!! Tried to convince our daughter to have her wedding there as they both graduated from JMU. Perfect place.

Jennifer said...

Hi Lona, I had no idea there was even such as a late blooming rhododendron! This looks like a beautiful and peaceful spot to spend a summer afternoon on vacation!

Nadezda said...

Lona, thanks for sharing this so interesting trip. I love the picture of floating turtles. Lovely garden!

Diana LaMarre said...

Looks like another lovely place to spend an afternoon.

Sunray Gardens said...

What a lovely setting that is. So peaceful and pretty. Smart place to get some wonderful photos with the grads.

Cher Sunray Gardens

jerilanders said...

As always Lona, magnificent views from all angles. What a heavenly place that is. Of course, I love those turtles! (It inspires an illustration) Looks like you had a lovely trip.

Jeanny said...

Breathtaking photos! It is indeed a very lovely garden.
garden sheds sale

Lona said...

Joy: Thanks. I thought it was a Euphorbia but was hoping it was a perennial flower instead.

Balisha: It was a lovely visit and we did enjoy it so much.

Janet: It would have been just the spot for a wedding. I imagine they have a lot of them there. So pretty.

Jennifer: I was surprised to see one blooming that late in Virginia Too.

Nadezda: Those turtles really loved that floating garden away from all of the people.

Zoey: It is always fun to visit new gardens and this was a beautiful spot.

Cher: It was a lovely setting for taking pictures. I am sure they have a lot of photo ops there.

Jeri: That would make a great illustration! I am puzzled by your hydrangea girl. LOL! I can figure the pinks and purples but the yellow bloom not turning puzzles me. Although My dwarf Forever hydrangea has all different colors of blooms like your they do eventually change back to a green. Yours is one mixed up hydrangea but it has to be beautiful!

Jeanny: Thank you and I hope you sale a bunch of sheds. LOL!

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

How beautiful and peaceful. Just what I needed after being out in the heat. The statues really "belong" don't they. Thank you for sharing.

Wind Dance said...

Thanks for letting me know about it. I may stop by next time I am in the area.

Jane O' said...

What a wonderful place to visit. Just looking at the pictures makes me feel so relaxed.

RURAL said...

That sounds and looks so serene and beautiful. It almost made me feel like I was there.

I do hope that you get some rain when you need it, we are going into another "it's not normally this rainy" weekend.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams