Gardener invites wildlife in to share her space

Stein:  Myrtle the turtle enjoys watering day in Jan Wilson's North Raleigh garden. The "educated deer" that come over from the woods between Wilson's townhouse and Ravenscroft School visit occasionally to nip the fading flowers from the impatiens planted in a container by the front porch. "It's cool the way they take the tops off the impatiens, but leave the ivy and periwinkle alone," Wilson said.

Stein:  The Summer Solstice Celebration on June 21 was a magical evening. Themes were plentiful at the parties in private gardens to benefit the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh -- art in the garden, ice cream socials, wine tastings, cooking lessons by prominent chefs, guests dressed as favorite plants.

Visit reveals living museum of plants

Arriving at Duke Gardens a few minutes early for an appointment at Blomquist Gardens allowed time to enjoy the diverse parade of visitors. There were rowdy kindergartners, reluctantly posing for photos under the beloved wisteria pergola. Students with Frisbees, heading for the South Lawn. Little boys climbing on stone walls; little girls in spring dresses and pretty hair ribbons. Students marching proud parents around the campus. And teenagers strolling hand-in-hand while mothers with strollers, and fathers with babes in arms took in the surroundings. The green landscape seemingly held attractions for everyone.

I just recently discovered "The Adventurous Gardener's Sourcebook of Rare and Unusual Plants." Imagine my surprise to find that many of the plants I've been growing over the past decade are introduced as rare or unusual.