Outdoor Wednesday...or...A Visit to the Balck Walnut Bed and Breakfast

It's time for another tour of beautiful gardens and outdoor rooms from our hostess Susan at A Southern Daydreamer! Be sure to visit her wonderful blog to see her gorgeous home and gardens and find a list of this week's participants! I am afraid that a lengthy drought and late frost have kept me from posting any pictures of my own yard. But...

... last week I went to Asheville, NC, to meet fellow bloggers Barb at Grits and Glamour and Kathysue at Rate My Space and was thrilled to find myself on the grounds of a gloriously beautiful old home surrounded by fabulous gardens....the Black Walnut Bed and Breakfast Inn! Let me take you for a little tour!

Driving up the driveway and through the portico, you are greeted by the first of two ponds complete with waterfalls! This one was a double pond and was filled with huge koi and wonderful waterlilies! A net had been added to keep the herons from making a tasty and expensive meal of the koi!

A second smaller pond was tucked away in a secluded part of the yard. It was surrounded by native plants.

Bursts of colorful flowers dotted the yard, such as this wonderful blue lace cap hydrangea! I think this was my favorite!

We were fortunate enough to be there when the rhododendron were in bloom! Isn't that a wonderful shade of lavender? In front of the bird bath were several groupings of columbine...a flower that I have not seen very often.

Here is a close-up of one of the varieties. I love the contrast of the dark purple with the cream!

And here is her paler sister...a lighter purple with white! I am now on a mission to find out if I can grow these in our heat!

We were not the only ones enjoying the gardens! There was a nice variety of birds...cardinals, blue jays and woodpeckers in particular...taking advantage of the feeder, as well as this very agile squirrel! It was a very relaxing sight to watch the creatures and their antics from the window seat in the large window of the dining room! Ahhhhhh!!!

Alas, it ended too soon! I hated to leave my dear blogger friends and this wonderful place! That's us...l to r...Barb, moi and Kathysue! I am ready for another trip to this beautiful inn and its surrounding gardens! Let's go back soon!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed our little tour! Please head on over to Susan's to be inspired by wonderful gardens and beautiful blossoms! See you next time! A bientôt!