{Admiral Semmes Azalea -- Confederate series in Our Garden}

Earlier on Friday, April 1st I did show you {Yellow Blossoms from Our Garden} without further mention of names; scientific nor common. So let me present you this Admiral Semmes Azalea (common name) Rhododendron 'Admiral Semmes' (scientific name).

Yellow is an eye-catching color in the landscape, one that's seldom seen in flowering shrubs. Admiral Semmes Azalea not only has vibrant yellow flowers, it's also pleasantly fragrant, heat-tolerant and mildew-resistant. 

These outstanding qualities easily earned the plant a place in the Georgia Gold Medal winners' circle in 2007.

Admiral Semmes Azalea is the result of a hybrid cross between a large-flowered Exbury Azalea called ‘Hotspur Yellow' and the native Florida azalea, Rhododendron austrinum . It was introduced by Dodd and Dodd Nurseries in Semmes, Ala., and named after the famous Confederate Admiral Raphael Semmes, whose record of 87 ships sunk or captured remains unbroken today. 

                       We obtained our Admiral Semmes from the Durio Nursery in Louisiana.

Another fine species not to be missed during a Garden Tour from Book an Event with us.

♥♥

{FRIENDSHIP by Elizabeth Barrett Browning}

Elizabeth Barrett Browning (6 March 1806 – 29 June 1861) was one of the most prominent poets of the Victorian era.

On March 6, I was surprised to find a post about Elizabeth Barrett Browning at one of my favorite bloggers: 'Rosabella ~ la vie en rose'
Also Lorraine from Little House in the Hudson Valley wrote about Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

In our Rose Suite we do have a framed poem from Elizabeth Barrett Browning and that has a  very special meaning to me as I received it, framed and all, from a writer friend who adopted me as his 'favorite niece'. Hence he became my Uncl Bo Whaley. He gave me this poem with the original glued to the back of the frame just as he'd found it in his Dad's bible. The Dad was a Preacher. The scan of this framed poem is not the greatest, but better than any photo.

So I'd love to share it with you:

THIS IS FRIENDSHIP

I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you.

I love you for the part of me that you bring out.

I love you for putting your hand into my heaped-up heart and passing over all the frivolous and weak things that you cannot help seeing there, and drawing out into the light all the beautiful, radiant things that no one else has looked quite far enough to find.

I love you for closing your eyes to the discords in me, and for adding

 to the music in my soul by worshipful listening.

I love you because you are helping me to make of the lumber of my life, not a tavern but a temple, and from the words of my every day, not a reproach but a song.

I love you because you have done more than any creed could have done to make me happy.

And you have done it without a touch, without a word, without a sign.

You have done it just being yourself.

After all, perhaps that is what being a friend means.

…Elizabeth Barrett Browning  

♥♥

Both, Pieter and I are blessed with great FRIENDS! 

{Worldwide GIVEAWAY of French Country Style Lavender Sachet}

French Country style lavender sachet, made by a lady in the French Alps from upscale decorator fabric. A Toile de Jouy with Roses on top of a matching linen plaid with rare Jute linen bottom.

This is for the winner of my giveaway, from my own boutique Mariette's Back to Basics.

You can read previous blogs about my French Country Style Lavender Sachets under label Sachets.

Also by searching sachets, at the top right on my blog.

Now, let's look closer at this beautiful sachet that you can win... Rules will follow below.

1 chance: Become a follower and leave a comment telling me you did so. 

2nd chance: Mention this giveaway on your blog. Grab my button at the top of my blog to the right and post  it on your side-bar and tell me you did so.

3rd chance: Like my Facebook Page Mariette's Back to Basics (click on it) and tell me you did.

4th chance: Tweet about it and let me know.

On May 1st by mid-night Eastern USA Daylight Saving Time, this giveaway ends...

Good luck!