Blue Notes

Music has always been an integral part of our family’s life; weaved neatly into our casual gardening process and today, more than any other time; we find that connection to the combination of sounds producing beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotions, with and by creation, is inseparable from growing things. 

For example, the emergence of a tiny seedling—say that of the prickly Cynoglossum amabile, or 'Chinese forget-me-not' seed, from its rugged, captive protection, escaping its covering, then propelling its embryonic tip, violently struggling to break the ground above towards the lights’ energy source becoming more comprehensible when coupled with the sound of the movement of the earth, the gentle whisper of the breeze that cause the syncopating rhythmic sway of the tiny plant, almost as if the composition were written specifically for that one tiny organism.   And when considered with the surrounding “like” seedlings, growing in unison, a symphonic masterpiece erupts, the continuation of the maturation to yield the blue note sounds that echo the rich sky-blue profusion of summer blossoms.

Right about here, B.B. King's 1964 release "How Blue Can You Get"seems to tit well with these mystical beauties.  Perhaps, Leon Russel's "Lady Blue" can be heard if we listen to those soft petals of 'H.F. Young'. I can really hear Lucille ringing ahead of the ivory-tickling piano and wailing saxophone around Mr. King's cry of being oh so blue.



(Hydrangea macrophylla) 'Dear Dolores', a new addition to the gardens in 2013, lends itself well to Stevie Wonder's 1972 release from the Music of My Mind recording, "Girl Blue".  The cool feeling I can hear so clearly is probably due to the vivid picture I get when I think of my own mother, who shares the name of this acid-loving, azure gem.

The day this picture was taken, from the outdoor speakers positioned a few feet from this patch of  'Blue Star Creeper' seeped the gentle blend of Gregg Karukas' "Blue Touch" (Pratia pendunculata) almost as if he had composed the soundtrack by design for the carpet-like spread of the tiny blue flowers.

Such is the inspiration of the color and sound of blue in our gardens that the most aggressive attempt in garden room design at Ciel Sur Terre is the ever-expanding "Jarden Bleu", where bold walls with shades of blue stained glass, indigo porcelain tile will frame the classical architecture featured entry, including guardian lions on either side of the main door.  The intricate paved walks lined by varied blue hydrangeas, rich blue irises, delphiniums and annuals repeating the blue-hued theme.  Featured in this cool garden, will be the expanding blue solar fixtures and of course, the growing collection of blue pottery from all over the world. Spectacular!