Lavender Fields in Delaware

As I mentioned a few days ago...lol. I spent a couple hours at the Lavender Fields of Warrington Manor in Milton, Delaware last summer during home leave. They have multiple fields of flowers besides the lavender (such as a Bee and Butterfly Garden; Dahlia Garden; Wildflower Garden; and Zen Garden. So here's a post of pretty pictures with flower names where I know them.

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) and black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

These seem to be the same, just different color variations.

I think this is Gaillardia (Blanket Flower), part of the sunflower family, Asteraceae.

Unknown white flower

More Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) with bee friends.

I think these are rose blooms that have pink spots which apparently are Botrytis cinerea (a fungus) or maybe a camilla.

Lots of gladiolus (Gladiolus sp.), also called a sword lily, which are in the iris family.

Seems to be some sort of mini orchid or lily.

Old silo on the property.

Some type of orange lily.

English lavender, (Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula officinali) and lavender with cabbage white butterfly (Pieris rapae).

 

Black Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio polyxenes) on pink/purple flowers.

Old fence with pink wildflowers.

Dahlia flowers.....so many colors and vanities.

Bird houses at the edge of a field.

Some sort of pink and white cosmo hybrid.

Okra blossom, (Abelmoschus esculentus) - tasty and pretty!

Fancy orange lily (I used to have a dog name Lily, named after my favorite flower at the time).

Small green cherry like fruits with black spots on a tree branch.

Hibiscus! We aren't in the tropics anymore, how did that happen! Likely the hardy Luna White (Hibiscus moscheutos) - both the pink and white are the same name, but different varieties.

More english lavender!

Possibly another Dahlia.

Yellow chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum sp.)

 

Some type of orange mum.

English lavender bunches drying in the shop.

One this cold and gray winter day, mentally walking through the flower garden has warmed and brightened my day. Hope you enjoyed it also!

Home Leave: Quick Loop

After from returning to this year's Charleston home base during home leave (we would have loved to have spent more time at our town house....but it was booked the rest of the summer we were there...good problem to have! As a lesson learned, I have already pre-booked ourselves for next summer when it's time to take M to college!!). I had a minute or so to breathe and then I headed off on another whirlwind week. 

Given I was flying by myself and the price was not much different....I splurged for business class (on puddle jumper size planes....so not a real big treat...lol). First stop, see the Bestie! 

I spent a few days in good ole St. Louis, hit the fave restaurants, then went for a trim. I debated do I chop the quarantine hair or not.....

It was a spur of the moment decision....but went ahead and chopped the hair. I was even able to donate 12 inches! Stopped in to see my favorite barista at Starbucks (besties daughter)....no explanation for my weird face...lol! Then just as quick as I arrived, I was wheels up to the DC area.

It was a really pretty arrival in DC....blurry photo (we were going 300-500 mph..lol). I spent the next day with my parents (and oddly enough forgot to take any photos). Then since I was staying in a hotel to protect them (we are all vaccinated....but being cautious - thanks 'rona), I opted to drive to Delaware. Why? Well I've tried to go a few trips in the past, but everyone curls the nose up and says no thanks...(ok, it was lavender fields in Delaware). So since it was me, myself and I, we all agreed to go! I took a butt ton of photos which I will share in another post (so if you don't like pretty flowers you can just skip...lol).

Afterwards, I went and checked into a hotel on Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.....I mean...it's a beach and it makes my heart happy. I hit a local brewery and distillery to get Richard and I some local swag. I met Richard's cousin (who lives nearby) for a super tasty dinner. Then I went and walked on the beach. For July, the water was FREEZING! 

Chair/umbrella rentals huts!

Sand grasses on the sand dunes.

Dunes and cold Atlantic Ocean. After enjoying the beach a bit, I walked around some shops on the boardwalk and got some ice cream! 

The next morning, I headed back to DC. Stopped en route for a zoom meeting (I am on the Architecture Review Committee for the townhouse HOA....we had a call). Then I returned the rental car and flew back to Charleston.....it was a very short trip every where, but was also nice to visit after being stuck for so long in Qatar.