The woodland home and garden of Suzie Hall.

One word could pretty much sum up the garden of Suzie Hall in South Knoxville: woodsy.  One of the many Dogwood Arts Open Gardens that allowed visitors to roam freely through a private space during the Dogwood Arts Festival designated times, Suzie’s garden is unique for its shade gardening opportunities and natural elements like boulders, tall trees, and a stream running through it.  I might have missed this garden had it not been for Suzie herself visiting the nearby property of Tom Boyd and Sandi Burdick.  She introduced herself to me and then insisted I come see her place.  So glad she did.

Lovely, woodsy pathway to the second house on the property of Suzie Hall.

Suzie’s woodsy garden with its natural, almost uncontrolled pathways holds plants of choice but also “keepers,” those tiny pop-up plants that sometimes get a toe-hold and stay on ’til the owner deems the keeper an invasion.  Suzie said she welcomes all plants — the more the merrier.  So the garden has evolved — a balance of free-spirited plants and intentional ones.

My first sight after parking remains one of the delights of the trip — the sight of a hand-built cabin nestled into that peaceful, woodsy setting. My husband had to move that cabin three times, Suzie said.  And each time, he dismantled it, reconstructed it, and asked if we were done.  But he had it facing the “wrong” way (She smiled.) so he did it over — three times — til he got it just right.  And I just love it.

Focal point of Suzie Hall’s garden — this hand-built cabin, moved to this spot and reconstructed.

Together, we roamed the pathways that Suzie and her husband had carved out of the property. Everywhere native plants like shade-loving hostas, ground covers, and perennials as well as bulbs and giveaways from neighbors and friends thrived —  a happy, harmonious mix of lush greenery dotted with floral surprises.

The couple had built two houses in keeping with the surroundings and almost a dead match for the original old cabin on the property but with modern conveniences. Expansive decks allow for coffee time.  And contemplation.  And rest.

Large decks allow for quiet time at the home of Suzie Hall.

At the sound of water flowing over a smooth expansion of rock, I paused to bend down and look into the cave beneath.  What a find this property must have been!

A waterfall runs over a mossy boulder. And underneath is a long, low-ceilinged cave.

Suzie’s love for woodland adornments is evident at every turn.  A bottle tree here, birdhouses there.  She pokes plants into found containers like old boots and whatever else comes her way.

It’s no wonder that on the Saturday afternoon of my visit, a photographer and her assistants were busy at work, focusing lights and setting up woodsy vignettes, backdrops for Prom pictures.  Who wouldn’t want to hold the object of one’s affection in such a lovely place?

Couple dressed for the Prom pose for pictures in front of the springtime azaleas in Suzie Hall’s garden.

Thanks to the Dogwood Arts Festival Open Gardens committee for finding this natural, woodsy garden.  And thanks to the owner/gardener Suzie Hall for allowing so many garden enthusiasts to enjoy it.

The natural garden of Suzie Hall

For a listing of the Open Gardens participants and camera sites for 2015, click here.

And do you have a preference in gardens?  Loosely structured?  Controlled plantings?  We’d love to hear about your love of gardens — just leave us a comment.

Rusha and Bert Sams

Greeting visitors at the entrance to Lane Hays’s garden were Dogwood Arts Featured Gardens volunteers.

Although it’s been several years since we last visited the lovely gardens of Lane Hays, we relished the thought of spending quiet time roaming this extensive lakeside property artfully enhanced by Lane’s vision and creativity.  Set on the banks of Fort Loudon Lake in Knoxville, the gardens were begun in 1992 using natural elements of a marble quarry located on the property.  Now, the additions of a cottage garden, rose garden, moon garden, and newly added waterfall features in the back of the property make this a Southern showplace.

From the front of the house, the lake beckons.  Visitors to the property catch glimpses of the water from the planted gardens as well as pathways to the house.  And the walks along the way offer the peacefulness and serenity that typify Lane’s property in both the front and back of her home.

Cottage Garden

Featuring a variety of perennials and annuals in raised beds, the garden has a looseness about it even with careful planning.  Stepping stones, garden statuary, and birdhouses stand among the flowers bordered by picket fencing.  Pebble pathways lead you through the garden with many of the perennials identified by markers.

Rose Garden and Moon Garden

Although only one solitary rose showed its colors for the tour, Lane assured us that by Mother’s Day the fragrance of many varieties of roses will fill the air.  Notable about this garden created in 1996: labels for each variety and an arrangement of plantings that invites leisurely strolling. Also waiting for later spring to show its creamy blossoms was the west-facing moon garden, planted only with white flowers in order to catch the light of the moon as it casts a soft glow on the blooms.

Back Property

Lane led us through the old ornamental iron gate to the back of the extensive property where we were greeted by a stone frog (bought at auction, Lane said) dipping a fishing line into the pond. After walking the pathways we remembered from a previous visit, Lane gave us a tour of the “new” area just completed within the last year.  She’s added a stone bridge, re-positioned massive boulders, and created a formidable waterfall over a previously hidden rock face.  Quite the work of art.

Lane Hays’s backyard garden makes an indelible impression:  deep woods, native and acquired trees, shade-loving plants, and rushing waterfalls.  A respite for anyone touring the gardens that day.

Cathy Greenberg and Lane Hays enjoying the Dogwood Arts Featured Garden event

But then all of Lane’s gardens are impressive.  So glad she was open!

For more information:  Dogwood Arts 2015 Featured Open Gardens

Palouse Falls, La Crosse, Washington

There’s something about a waterfall.  Especially one that cascades 200 feet over a bold precipice, rushing to join the Snake River, eventually making its way through deep cuts of rock.  Perhaps it’s the rush of water.  Or the spray.  Or the sound.  Whatever it is, you can’t avert your eyes — at least for a few minutes — as you stare into the hard-driving flow, marveling at the power of nature.

Palouse Falls takes you away.  And not just when you get there.  First, you have to follow Washington Highway 261 west from the agricultural area known as The Palouse into an area of bare rocks and scrubby bushes and almost deserted areas as you wonder if driving 23 miles from Washtucna, Washington, really will get you there.

Picnic area — Palouse Falls State Park

But once you pay the entry fee to the park and unload your picnic in the designated area, you’ll have to give the falls their due.  You’ll rush over to the edge bounded by a strong fence and just stand there, staring at the falls and watching hikers headed for a closer glimpse.

Hikers walking toward Palouse Falls

We had hoped to take great pictures – you know, the kind you get when you use morning or evening sun to capture the best moments.  Instead, we arrived in the heat of the afternoon when the relentless sun washed out the colors of even the formation to the left of the falls that resembled the drip castles we make each summer at the beach.

Rock formation at Palouse Falls

Our reward, however, of an afternoon arrival was the appearance of a sliver of a rainbow at the base of the falls.  So special.  And so unexpected.

Rainbow at the base of Palouse Falls

After a picnic lunch, we strolled along the fence line, peering into the canyon formation where once loud, rushing waters turned quiet as they meandered along to wherever they were going next.

View from the rim at Palouse Falls State Park

Palouse Falls State Park, La Crosse, Washington

For more information on camping, fees, and viewing times:

http://www.stateparks.com/palouse_falls_state_park_in_washington.html?

Directions:  From SR 261 : Drive 13.5 miles west of Starbuck, or 14.4 miles southwest of the SR 261 and SR 260 junction and take Palouse Falls Rd. east.

For more on our travels through the Inland Northwest, check out the page at the top of this blog: Inland Northwest.

Crossing over to New York New York

And some “streets” led outside the big hotels like the Wynn so you could take pictures of the waterfall or the people who made the evening special.

Snapping pictures of the waterfall outside Wynn Las Vegas

Of course, street life in Vegas means dressing up for a night on the town!  And why not? What happens in Vegas . . . well, you know the rest.

Two dressed-up ladies agreed to pose with Treasure Island in the background.

For more examples of the Weekly Photo Challenge: Street Life, click here.