Perhaps the very instant spring begins is that brief sunny moment when bare branches burst from bud to flower. Dormant limbs feeling the stir of seasonal change bud and swell with the news that winter is waning. Seemingly overnight the bleak branch canopy suddenly commands our attention as we notice the burst of flowers filling a tree. Flowers before leaves, before fruit and seed pods simply fascinate a gardener, who willingly rakes and sweeps the debris that follows the spectacular show of flowering trees.
Category: Europe
Fruit & Vegetable Resolutions
Eyeful, Plateful, Basketful!
Oh the ritual of new year’s resolutions challenging us to be our better self has come around again. The predictable but valid ones reappear; save money, spread kindness, and eat better are high on the list. As gardeners, at least one of our resolutions is likely to include something related to fruits and vegetables. We not only resolve to eat more fruits and vegetables but to grow our own bountiful harvest! There are many wonderful reasons deeply rooted in our souls which drive us to succeed, yet how disappointing when our seeds of optimism dry up. However, I have a fruit and vegetable resolution that is truly attainable. Resolve to get an eyeful of the beauty fruits and vegetables provide all year long.
Gazing Balls
Bright & Shiny
This time of year Christmas trees decorated with lights and ornaments are showing up all around the town. If you decorate a tree with traditional glass ornaments in red, gold, or silver you will see the beauty surrounding you reflected in their shiny surface. Stories of glass ball ornaments trace back to the 1800’s in Germany, though the origin of glass balls has been documented back to the 1300’s. Venetian glass blowers began creating colorful spheres as gazing balls to reflect the light and the view of gardens. The fragile and colorful balls were a sign of wealth and status used to accessorize the gardens of kings. King Ludwig II, King of Bavaria during the 1800’s, adorned his palace, Herrenchiemsee, his replica of Versailles, with these gazing balls. Could there be a connection?
Madeira, Portugal, Island of Flowers
Painting in plants creates art. This art is the highlight of the Jardin Botanico in Madeira, Portugal. Landscape design is a combination of texture, color, structure, climate and patience. An artist working in oil must allow time for the canvas to completely dry. The garden painter working with a palate of plants must wait for the art to grow. All this must be done again and again to keep the art of the garden in view. It is a significant commitment. As a living creation it requires devotion far beyond the painter using oil and brush. Once the painting is sent out into the world the painter has little if any further stewardship. This is not so for a garden creation.
Leeds Castle, Kent, England
England is making news this summer with images of the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympic Rings everywhere. Yet for me there is no more definitive image of England than a castle.
A Natural Palate
Jardin de Cactus, Lanzarote, Spain
Cactus, succulents and rock are familiar features in Southwest gardens. As a desert dweller, I assumed there were no more beautiful cactus gardens than exist here in the Sonoran desert. That idea was turned upside down on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.
Gardens in Sunny Paris
On Thursday the weather turned fine in Paris. After a cold and very rainy spring the change in sky and temperature made everyone feel hopeful about the future. Both the Parisians and their visitors were outside. The museums of Paris are filled with wonderful art yet this day people were in the gardens.
Monet’s living canvas
In early May in Monet’s Garden the dutch iris are blooming. The bearded iris are in full bud, given a week of warmer weather they will be opening. The scent of wisteria is mixed with the scent of lilacs in the air. There are beds of pink tulips and lavender lobelia just outside the door of the famous pink house with the green shutters.
Celebrating Flora
Celebrating Flora
In ancient times much of the world paused from their work to celebrate flowers. The Roman Goddess Flora was celebrated in the spring. A Maypole was erected,with ribbons streaming down, hands reached up and the dancing began. Young women wore crowns of flowers in their hair. The beauty of life, flowers and fertility was thoroughly celebrated with the hope of a great harvest in the Fall. The celebration lasted several days with games, performances, feasting and drinking.
Lost in a Garden
I became impatient listening to the tour guide explain 700 years of history. Already I calmly sat through a long bus ride from the port of Cadiz to Seville to get to the Royal Palace Gardens of Alcazar. I wanted only to see the garden. So. . . . I slipped away from our tour group.