IAVOM ~ ER Visits & Frothy Blooms

There is something about a profusion of petals and fluffy blooms just makes me very happy. And they have especially brought me incredible happiness this week as I recover from an emergency gallbladder surgery I had to have last Monday. What I thought was food poisoning on Saturday turned out to be me passing gallbladder stones on Sunday, as we found out once I went to the ER. And on Monday I had my galbladder removed. This has been the craziest surgery or medical situation I’ve ever had, because it was so sudden, although it should not have been— looking back— because I have a lot of stomach problems. The surgeon was surprised that I didn’t have any discomfort years ago because apparently the stones inside my gallbladder were the size of marbles. Thankfully, all went well, although I got sick, as I always do, from the anesthesia. That caused me to have to stay at the hospital for another day.

But you know what is amazing? How crazy the garden can get over the span of a week. And yesterday, I took one look at my roses and I knew they needed to be pruned badly. So I took my wicker chair and kneeled on it (since I cannot bend at my waist due to one incision there), parked myself next to the roses, and slowly and patiently started pruning them away. All the faded blooms are gone and I was rewarded with some beautiful blooms of my David Austin roses— Wedgwood and Imogen.

These roses truly have captured my heart. There is something about the dozens and dozens of fluffy frothy petals that just makes me so happy. For this little arrangement, I used a hobnail milk glass rose vase just because I love the design. To fill in and give it some texture, I added Queen Anne’s lace— which is growing wild around my house— as well as Spirea. These two additions not only filled in, but really gave it that frothy look that I love and flowers. Overall, I’m glad this was the result of doing something “normal” within the limits of what the doctor told me I can do. I think it turned out rather pretty and perfect for IAVOM with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.

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You may find me joining some of these wodnerful link-ups: Heart & Soul, Inspire Me Monday In a Vase on Monday, Mosaic Monday, Pink Saturday, Nature Notes, Grace at Home, Encouraging Hearts & Home, Wonderful Wednesday Blog-Hop, Farmhouse Friday, Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, Garden Affair, Saturdays Sparks Link Party, Love Your Creativity Link-Party, Farmhouse Friday, Thursday Favorite Things.

A Visit to Sargent’s Nursery ~ Rochester, MN

I have not been to a nursery that I did not like. So when an opportunity presented itself to learn about the greenhouse production operation of one of the biggest nursery in the area, I jumped at the opportunity. Welcome to Sargent’s Nursery in north Rochester, MN. This nursery has been servicing this area for 50 years, and “a fifth-generation is already planning to work in the nursery when they grow-up. I have been a customer for about 5 years and I love that they always have great plants and excellent customer service. Today, Sargent’s Landscape Nursery, Inc. is owned and operated by Forrest and Faye Sargent and their son, Nick.

While I have been a customer for a few years, I normally go to their second and I now know, “smaller” store— which really is not small. Upon driving in, I could tell that this was going to be a great experience. And I was not disappointed. I arrived a bit early, so I went ahead and did some browsing of their nursery are where they sell the plants. I can try to explain, but I will let the pictures speak for themselves because while this is a nursery, it is also a showroom for the garden design part of the business. It was a bit overwhelming because it was all beautiful and a lot to take in— a good problem to have.

The nursery is part show room showcasing their garden design work. Two of my favorite areas were the meditation pond, and the patio with the fireplace. That is a serious patio goal for me. I can just imagine enjoying a fall day with a roaring fire, watching the sunset.

Backyard patio GOALS. I already told my husband, this is what I envision for our patio. :)

This Bougainville almost came home with me. Almost.

The tour started promptly and took about 25 minutes. After the official tour, we were allowed to explore, or ask questions from the garden experts who work there. I wanted to ask some questions but I was quite surprised by how many people showed up for the tour. Instead I decided to go explore one of the 17 perennial greenhouses they have. Sargent’s grows 85-90% of the perennials and 60% of the annuals they sell, which is pretty impressive. As I went through all the greenhouses, there was A LOT to see, and we were able to ask questions from the staff working there. Below are some of the photos.

Judging by the ‘SOLD’ area, business is really good.

A girl in her happy place.

Out tour garden expert talking about growing plants from plugs.

I have an obsession with echinacea.

First time seeing a dragonfly.

Beautiful area as you exit the nursery.

In all, I was very pleased by this event as part of the Garden Club appreciation week. It was great to see all the plants varieties, but also learn about their operation. Clearly a well-oiled machine that has become a staple for garden lovers— rookie and veterans— in Rochester, MN and adjacent areas.

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You may find me joining some of these fun link-ups: Heart & Soul, Inspire Me Monday In a Vase on Monday, Mosaic Monday, Pink Saturday, Nature Notes, Grace at Home, Encouraging Hearts & Home, Wonderful Wednesday Blog-Hop, Farmhouse Friday, Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, Garden Affair, Saturdays Sparks Link Party, Love Your Creativity Link-Party, Farmhouse Friday, Thursday Favorite Things.