When the temperature is freezing not many people set out to visit gardens. I, however, did just that, taking a trip to Tucson to visit Tohono Chul Park, and Garden. The frost covers were out, the air was bracing and the blue sky filled with wisps of clouds. These were repeat visits so I know the gardens are beautiful in fine weather so I expected a change of scene due to the threat of freezing temperatures.
Category: Garden Articles
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?
The River Cafe, Brooklyn, NY
Hurricane Sandy has done such harm. Many lives were lost, homes destroyed, business devastated and natural beauty permanently altered. Living in the West it is hard to grasp just how much damage this area of our country has received. I was in New York last fall and as I read today’s news I recognize areas where I visited. An article in the NYTimes (11/11/2012) described the damage done to “The River Cafe” in Brooklyn. This 35 year old restaurant is an icon of elegant, formal dinning. This is where one went for very special dinner occasions, such as marriage proposals, significant birthdays and anniversary celebrations. According to the Times article one evening not long ago 7 couples were each celebrating their 25th anniversary in the dining room.
Hospital Gardens
If you are at the hospital there is probably a crisis going on in your life and your mind is in a whirl (arriving babies quite the exception.) Once there as you navigate the many halls and pods of rooms you may rush by a garden. Healing gardens and meditation gardens are part of many hospitals. Banner Desert Hospital in Mesa, AZ has gardens. I recently spent three days rushing through the halls here and found the Harmony Garden, Bistro Garden, Children’s and Train garden.
Philbrook Art Museum & Gardens, Tulsa, OK
“Oh what a beautiful morning!”
My primary exposure to Oklahoma was in the movie theatre many years ago, “where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain.” So when driving through the state recently and finding an ornate Italian Villa with 23 acres of formal gardens, I realized I needed to learn more about this place where there is “Plen’y of air and plen’y of room, Plen’y of heart and plen’y of hope.” (lyrics of Oklahoma, Rodgers & Hammerstein)
Foster Botanical Garden, Oahu, HI
Exceptional, Exceptional trees. There are so many things to discover in Hawaii and this small garden is big in delight. There are 24 officially designated “Exceptional Trees” in this space. Large, unique, spectacular and astonishing trees are here. In the large category, there are Tamarind, Boabab and Quipo trees. The Quipo is sleek and tall growing like a silver streak train to the sky. The unique, includes the blue marble tree and the cannonball tree. A cannonball tree is truly loaded with heavy, round, brown balls that grow from beautiful orange flowers.
Limahuli Garden, Kauai
The tour guides try to convince you the only way to see the beauty of Kauai is by helicopter and the Napoli Coast cannot be enjoyed but by guided activity. Yet this garden will give you a glimpse of all of this in a most enjoyable stroll. You drive nearly to the end of the road of the northwest shore of Kauai. The 1000 acre valley garden rises up from the entrance gate. Lush and green surrounds you. Mountain peaks and unique plants are well labeled and described in the accompanying booklet provided with your admission. Plants in Hawaii arrived by wind, water and wing, the garden illustrates these contributions.
Chickens in Kauai
Chickens were a constant part of my childhood. My Grandmothers, my great aunties, and my Mom all raised chickens. Those chickens supplied our eggs, and our dinner.
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.