When the body and soul are weary of the cold, the dark, the lack of green, but the calendar still says it is winter, there is only one cure for the blues!
Find a flower show and wander around in the hothouses for as long as your long-suffering spouse will allow.
We found the local garden show this past weekend and it was such a tonic.... a balm for eyes too long deprived of green.
There was something for everyone and although I have a mature garden and am not planning any renovations any time soon, it was fun to imagine creating a new garden.
This year the gardens were internationally flavored ....one more luscious and inviting than the next!
Who wouldn't love a Tuscan Garden?
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| Italy here I come! |
How about a gloriously green Celtic Garden? This one featured lots of gray stone and the myriad variety of green hues for which Ireland is known and plenty of red and white flowers to contrast beautifully with the green!
The English Cottage Garden was a riot of colors with all the traditional flowers we remember from grandmother's garden.
The Asian Garden, serene and zen-like beckoned visitors to rest and contemplate the surroundings. Although there were plenty of flowers blooming in this garden, they were subdued and restful. the whole effect brings to my mind a shady garden with quiet hidden paths and plenty of places to wander or linger.
The Middle Eastern Garden, guaranteed to warm , was peppered with all the hottest colors - blending the reds, oranges and yellows into a garden to conjure the hottest summer memories!
It was a joy to wander around these gardens and fritter away a cold afternoon! I bought some seeds to start over the next few weeks. I plan to start some tomatoes, basil and some annual flowers to attract the butterflies and hummingbirds.
Last but not least, we bought a flat of my favorite pansies to be planted immediately. They will brighten the landscape until they are joined by the crocuses and daffodils.
The perfect color for Easter too!
Oh My Goodness!! How gorgeous :-) Thank you Barbara, I'm in the tropics so it's relatively warm and green (plus my Yellow Tabebuia tree, which is currently going for full yellow bloom explosion). Nothing compared to these gardens--they are just delightful!! :-)
ReplyDeleteThese photos brightened my day; thanks so much. So cold and blah here today.
ReplyDeleteWhat a tonic for the winter-weary soul! Gimme that English cottage garden everytime! Love all those flowers and the crowded and messy look!
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter, Barbara!