Asheville - Flowers and Antiques ~

When visiting Asheville, North Carolina, about 4 hours from Raleigh,
 our favorite hotel is right in town. We can leave the car in the parking lot and 
walk to many interesting places, only having to drive if visiting Biltmore Estate
 and Village, or up a hillside to the fabulous historic Grove Park Inn, where we
 can enjoy a drink on the terrace with breathtaking views across the city toward the
 Blue Ridge Mountains.

This week we looked down from our window and directly below us found 

the historic Thomas Wolfe House, home of the American novelist. I told you more

 about this home in my post in the Fall of 2014 HERE.

Along the hotel's parking lot was a really wonderful mixed border of Summer

 blooming flowers. The coneflowers, grasses, and especially the tall pink

 Joe-pye weed caught my eye. . . . . .so of course you get photos here!

Attractive to butterflies, Joe-pye weed is a great addition to a wildflower

 or natural garden. Perhaps I will be able to tuck a few plants into my own

 wildlife habitat (yes, it's overgrown and in need of a serious makeover,

 but birds, butterflies, foxes and more love it!), in the coming season. 

This is a beautiful perennial with clouds of dusky pinkish-purple blooms,

the common one growing 5-7 feet which may require staking. There are however 

shorter, named varieties which I'll be looking for. They apparently prefer moist,

 well-drained soil in sun or with a bit of shade. These at the hotel were in full sun,

and seemed to be very healthy in the 95+ temperatures we had in Asheville.

It should be cut back to the base in Winter when it gets untidy.

Anyone ever grown this eye-catching plant with the odd name?

Never leave Asheville without a visit to my favorite antiques, vintage, book shop,

 home and garden venue, the ScreenDoor. 

Didn't make a purchase this time but took a few photos of items which caught my eye.

Didn't realize that dried magnolia sprigs could look so attractive with their

 two-colored leaves. My backyard neighbor's tree drops leaves on to my

 garden - perhaps I can sneak a few sprigs before they fall - they ARE hanging

 over the fence into my space!

Such unusual and charming handmade bird houses - I really wish I had

 brought one of these home with me. . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . .and I loved these illustrations with just one word. Kicking myself that

 I didn't buy one - but couldn't decide between RETURN or RESPOND.

 With such hot weather I think RETURN had the most cooling effect, but I love

RESPOND with the laundry drying in the fresh air too!