Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Laura Grace's Spring Garden

My MC, Laura Grace Chandler is known for her award-winning baking, but she has another talent--gardening. Setting can be used to create insight into characters. That's the nature of Laura Grace's garden. As a careful nurturer, she has, along with her deceased husband Tom, created a palette of perennials that bloom from late winter into late autumn.

Here's examples of what you would see in her garden from early to mid-spring.

(All of the photos below are the copyright of Zan Marie Steadham 2013.)

Cherry Hill, GA, Laura Grace's hometown, is know for its many namesake cherry trees.










Narcissus
Spring bulbs and flowering shrubs are also some of Laura Grace's favorites choices for her garden.

Iris
Azalea
Dianthus may be small, but their large,
spicy scent makes them a presence.





I hope you've enjoyed a tour of a southern garden in full bloom. ; )

How do you use setting to show your characters' traits?

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10 comments:

  1. J.L. MurpheyApril 30, 2013 at 4:57 AM

    Little tidbits sprinkled with loving care throughout the novel. In Escape from Second Eden, which I know you've read, I used the wish of my MC to be able the blend the colors in oils to the sights around her exposing her as an artist.

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    Replies
    1. Zan MarieApril 30, 2013 at 8:53 AM

      That's a great example, Jo. The little things add up to show who the character is.

      Delete
  2. S.P. BowersApril 30, 2013 at 7:33 AM

    I miss gardening. The deer and other critters don't let me grow too much.

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    Replies
    1. Zan MarieApril 30, 2013 at 8:54 AM

      I'm learned with the deer will leave alone, or at least will leave alone most to the time.

      Delete
  3. UnknownMay 1, 2013 at 12:08 AM

    Lovely pictures! It's too hot to really get anything to grow here, but we have a few weeks every year when things are in bloom. Then they wilt :(

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    Replies
    1. Zan MarieMay 1, 2013 at 8:30 AM

      That's sad, Lara! Summer is hot here, too. I'll have to show you what blooms then when we get there.

      Delete
  4. BarbaraMay 1, 2013 at 7:11 AM

    Your garden looks beautiful! Note to self: must get dianthus.

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    Replies
    1. Zan MarieMay 1, 2013 at 8:33 AM

      Thanks! Dianthus is amazing and comes up every year. The key to keeping them blooming is to give them a "hair cut" when most of the blooms are spent. We use the electric clippers. They just come back all summer. Though the scent is most intense in the spring.

      Delete
  5. Deniz BevanMay 3, 2013 at 9:53 AM

    I'd love to learn how to learn to garden at LG's side!
    Dianthus are lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Zan MarieMay 3, 2013 at 12:13 PM

    Come to Temple and let my DH show you how. I'm not the main gardener. ; )

    ReplyDelete

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