The Garden Is Open

[fivecats]

The Garden Is Open
April 2006 Chapel Hill, NC
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On the edge of the University of Chapel Hill there is a small neighborhood known as Historic Gimghoul.  The area is probably best known for the Gimghoul Castle, which I've written about before.  The Castle (apparently a popular make-out place in past years) is the imposing stone building off of the gravel road where Gimghoul Road dead ends.

Part way down the block, however, is a much more charming, welcoming place.  Situated inconspicuously in the middle of the block there is a small Sears catalog house from the 1930s, white with a green porch cover.  The lawn is a brilliant green, the grass cleanly cut. 

The twin sisters, both in their 90s, who live there do something wonderful.  As a gift to themselves, their neighbors and the community, they spend all year working on their garden.  When the flowers are in bloom, a small green sign is  hung out by the street.  "The Garden Is Open" is their way of welcoming any and all to walk through their yard to enjoy the beauty of the colors their flowers present.

Want to see some of what's inside? 




Orange Red Yellow
April 2006 Chapel Hill, NC
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I first heard about the Twin Sister's garden from people at work.  I've been trying to take daily walks and those few people who knew I was walking told me I should find the Twin Sister's house as soon as the weather started warming up. 

I had walked to the Gimghoul Castle several times and had passed what I thought was the right house, but there were a number of houses with nice, maticulously tended gardens.  Then, the other night, there was one of those "See How Wonderful Our State Is!" programs on the local PBS station.  I paused  long enough to see what they were featuring.  One of the segments was going to be on the Twin Sisters' Garden.  I watched, hoping to see a long-shot of their house.

Turns out I'd been right.




Pale Purple White Orange
April 2006 Chapel Hill, NC
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The Twin Sisters love tulips.  They love them so much that during the year they choose not to go out to dinner, but instead, choose to put that money towards their next year's tulips. 

They buy their tulips from a wholesale company in lots of 100.  Each bulb needs to be replaced the year it blooms, due to the aging process of the bulb.  The following year the bulb will grow and bloom, but the second year plant will lack the strength to support the huge flowering top.  Rather than disappoint anyone (including themselves) they dig up each bulb and replace it with new ones each year.




Pink Azalea
April 2006 Chapel Hill, NC
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I visited for the first time about a week ago.  I took over 50 images and narrowed those down to about a dozen or so.  That afternoon the garden was all but empty while I was there.  A few people appeared as I was leaving, but it was a very nice introduction to the garden.  It's relatively small, but it covers the sides of the front yard and the pathways along both sides of the house to the back.  There is opens up a bit along two levels.  There are brilliant blossoms everywhere.




Yellow Close Up
April 2006 Chapel Hill, NC
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I went back earlier this week. 

As I was photographing some of the tulips in the front along the sidewalk wall I looked up and saw that I was in luck.  The sisters were coming out of their front door with a trio of elderly friends.  I hung around, photographing more of the front line flowers and waited until their guests left. 

When I introduced myself the one sister told me that their visitors were old neighbors of theirs who had come by to see the garden. 

We chatted briefly.  They were both as charming as could be, more than happy that I was enjoying the flowers and taking pictures. 

Not too surprising, they get a lot of photographers.




Yellow Tulips
April 2006 Chapel Hill, NC
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"Have you been here before?" asked the one sister.

"Yes.  I was here taking pictures one day last week."

"Well, you should be sure to come back in about seven to ten days.  This is just the first bloom.  We should have the second one in about seven to ten days."

"No," the other sister quickly interjected.  "It should be sooner than that.  It's supposed to be in the 80s by the weekend.  You'd better come back in about five days."

"Really, the 80s?" asked  her sister.  Then, turning to me she said, "Yes, then.  You should be sure to come back in about five days."

"I'll be here throughout the season," I said, smiling.


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Comments

[ruralrob.livejournal.com]

You've surpassed yourself here, Tom. Flower pics are deceptively tricky in that they easily can fall in to cliche, but you've done well to avoid that trap here, except perhaps for the pink azalea. I particularly love the pale purple one - it's very subtle and totally endearing.

[fivecats.livejournal.com]

The pink azalea is a bit overdone, but is practically the state flower (or state bush -- or at least it should be) so I figured I needed to get at least one shot of one in there somewhere.

The macro work xbrokenx has done with flowers makes me envious of her camera and lens. I've tried to make due with my CoolPix 990 as best I can, but I'm quickly realizing the limitations the camera possesses. (More on that in a future posting)

The pale purple and white is Bonn's favorite. It took quite a bit of post-processing to get the image to look like the flower. I'm quite happy with the result, too.

I wanted to see something different in these flowers, something that would make them and my experience in the garden unique. Thanks for seeing at least a hint of that, my friend.

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[myrhiann.livejournal.com]

What a charming story, and I so enjoyed the flowers, and look forward to more of them. Of them all I like the purple and white iris the best.

[fivecats.livejournal.com]

There's more of the story and more of the flowers to come.

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[myasma.livejournal.com]

I wish I could wander through that garden, even without a camera. Your pictures are spectacular!

[fivecats.livejournal.com]

Make your way east and I'll be more than happy to (not only put you up but) take you there!

Many thanks on the compliment.

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[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks it was refreshing to see all this bright colour tonight, so much more advanced than here. I would be visiting that garden regularly, too!

[fivecats.livejournal.com]

The sales rep who I spent the day with today was from Mass. and he said we were weeks ahead of them as well.

If you make it down our way, I'll be happy to take you there.

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[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I don't travel much, but if I do, that would be pleasant indeed.

[fivecats.livejournal.com]

It's even nicer in person. :-)

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[keirf.livejournal.com]

Gimghoul castle. What an excellent name.

[fivecats.livejournal.com]

Interesting history, too.

It used to be a favorite walking destination when I walked down that road. Used to be.

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[hartleyhare.livejournal.com]

These are beautiful. Flower photos always make me want to paint, somehow. And what a wonderful story!

[fivecats.livejournal.com]

Feel free to paint one of these, if you'd like. :-)

There's far more to the story. Hopefully I'll be digging deeper into it over the coming months.

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[aboutlooking.livejournal.com]

I would love to go with you.

[fivecats.livejournal.com]

Come down our way and we'll do that cajun salmon dinner and I'll take you there.

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[ladyamybug.livejournal.com]

awesome! i love that the sisters are in their 90s and still able to keep such a meticulous garden. amazing! i will be looking forward to the rest of your visits! :O)

[fivecats.livejournal.com]

They get some big help from either a son or a nephew, I forget which. Still, they do all of the planning, planting and tending throughout the Spring. When I last visited the one sister excused herself to go around to the back to continue potting some of the plants for the coming months.

There will definitely be more visits.

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