{Philadelphus 'Mont Blanc' - mock orange}

• In April we had so many shrubs blooming in our garden, that it was impossible to keep up with posting about them. So here I will show you our Philadelphus 'Mont Blanc' - mock orange. There are numerous varieties of Philadelphus, just have a look at this Dutch nursery for some double species as well. The first hyperlink reads that it is fully hardy till a minimum of 29°C but of course that should read 29°F.

• Are they not beautiful? That was at the end of April. Perfect Garden Tour time!

• This is the shrub itself.

{LOOK who's in the French Style of May/June 2011}

For quite a while I've wanted to introduce you to the romantic blog Roses Pour Toujours from Janny van der Vliet about her fabulous, like real paper roses! She has been perfecting her art over the past ten years, by studying and observing the real roses, especially the old roses. English and French bourbon roses are her favorites.

Since 2005 she's living in the south of France and that's when she started her workshops. Still she is giving workshops in The Netherlands, her native country. She just got back from a workshop in the town where my husband Pieter is born; in Groessen. The world is small isn't it?! Let me show you some of her creations right here below. It is part of the May/June issue of Belle Inspiration - French Style - Celebrating La Joie de Vivre.

Janny's roses in the Days of the Roses held every May in Avignon, France.

Isn't her work incredible?! And so real looking... 

Belle Inspiration Magazine

CELEBRATING LA JOIE DE VIVRE

May/June 2011 issue by Belle Inspiration, where Janny is featured.

Roses en Papier

The Art of Creating Paper Roses

Text & Photos by: Janny van der Vliet

Introduction by Janny van der Vliet in English

By the way, this magazine is available through Mimi Bleu, on her Bonjour Romance blog -check it out.

Janny's next workshop is in Paris and you can get information on her Roses Pour Toujours blog.

Also visit Janny's website Des Roses de Papier for more info in French and English.

I will leave you now with the video that is on YouTube about Janny's feature:

Wishing Janny lots of success with her fabulous Paper Roses!

{Phlox Subulata - Creeping Phlox}

Our Phlox Subulata makes a great ground cover at spring time each year. It blooms rather early and lasts a very long time. Another good thing is that it spreads, but is not invasive. We do have some Candy Stripe, which is a pink and white for underneath the almond tree to match the blossom's color. Further a white variety that is called White Delight and a hot pink that is named Moorheim Beauty. Join me on a Garden Tour.

Phlox Subulata 'Moorheim Beauty'

Pieter did line the deep end of the pond with poles and we let Phlox Subulata grow over it.

Here I have not yet pulled the weeds out... you have to 'hang-over'...

When Spooky walked on his leash, he always pulled me towards those poles where he did his balancing act. Poor little guy died of heart worm disease... Too young at age 4 and a few months.

He asked his Mami to give him more slack...

Here we planted patches of Phlox Subulata up on the hill alongside the creek, in our wood garden.

Home Depot was selling them in gallon pots and when Mom & Dad were visiting one time, we bought several with them.

With some patience it will become a solid carpet of pretty blooms that does attract lots of bees.

Next to a petrified tree trunk... happily basking in the sun light.

This is alongside the driveway where we also grow them between the cross tires.

This is the Phlox Subulata White Delight and no, to the right that is no snake... it's the cord from the camera!

I don't have that many snakes to show; but stay tuned as I did catch one big one on camera...

Not only are they prolific bloomers but they are evergreen too.

Phlox Subulata is a HAPPY plant and very carefree!