Sunday, June 20, 2010

She always holds a party in June

One of the great thrills of June is Mother Nature’s elegant hand at carpeting the world with flowers. She really thinks gardeners are quite clever with their studied designs and drifting borders, but she chuckles to herself because she knows we are really just learning from her. Walking in the woods is my way of visiting her garden and acknowledging the Master Gardener of us all.

Her paths are swept with borders of bluebells.




Her groundcovers inspire the carpets in our grand hotels




She has made an art of combining textures


And always has a few stars show up to create a buzz


And some interesting bon mots tucked away here and there






It’s no wonder her garden residents wear their finest gossamer wings


And volunteers clamour to be part of the show


Ah, a June early morning in the woods.

"In small proportions we just beauties see,
And in short measures life may perfect be."

~ Ben Jonson

18 comments:

Laurrie said...

I can hear Mother Nature chuckling. I think she got a kick out of this lovely post.

Laura said...

Beautiful lighting in your pictures. Stunning!

Anonymous said...

Dear MsS, This posting confirms what I think in our heart of hearts we all know, and that is however well we arrange our borders, our gardens even, Nature does it best and, seemingly, without effort. Oh well, we can but try!

Dave said...

Very nice and relaxing and it doesn't take a minute of work to maintain. Well, except the trail. I spent the weekend putting in a new shade bed in muddy clay, but I wonder if it will ever look that satisfying.

The larger more or less 5-fingered plants growing over the wild strawberries look like palm-leaved coltsfoot (Petasites frigidus).

Victoria said...

Gorgeous post...gorgeous words..I LOVE it!! Beautiful!
Kiki~

Rebecca @ In The Garden said...

Such beautiful words & pictures. I love the point of view, it is so very true.

OF SPRING AND SUMMER said...

Lovely post!! I agree Mother Nature does things very well!!
All the best.
Ingrid xx

Northern Shade said...

You have some lovely shots of the woods, and the dappled light does spotlight the stars. I like the little Cornus plants. I planted some last year, after admiring them in the woods, but mine haven't flowered yet.

Northern Beauty Seeker said...

Laurrie: I know she is having fun right now anyway – this is her time!

Laura: The morning light through the trees is amazing. I’m just glad my camera can capture some of that.

Dear Edith, Thank you for stopping by. When I look at the perfect balance of textures on the forest floor I can only sigh. Maybe by studying pictures of it I can learn something.

Dave: I am slowly building a shade bed as well. Last house, I over-stuffed a shade bed in the first year so this time I am trying to get it right. Not easy! Thank you also for identifying that plant with the beautiful leaf. I was wondering what it was and am thinking of sketching it.

Kiki: Thank you, my dear!!

Rebecca: It truly is an outstanding time of year for the natural world. I love it!

Of Spring and Summer: Ingrid, you are very kind. I just need to put some of her lesssons into practice!

Northern Shade: I love the little Cornus plants as well. These dainty little flowers on the forest floor are such a contrast to the big rugged trees and make the woods so endearing. This is the best year yet – by far - for wildflowers of the last three that I have been wandering these trails. I think they must be loving the moisture.

Victoria said...

HI again...lovely to revsiit this gorgeous post of yours..wow! I wanted to pop in and just say thankyou for always leaving a kind word..makes my day!
happy gardening..
kiki~

Deborah at Kilbourne Grove said...

Mother Nature, she is a clever cookie.

Northern Beauty Seeker said...

Kiki: You are just so sweet! Happy solstice to you. :)

Deborah: We all need someone once in a while to remind us we still have lots to learn - and it's fun learning it! Wishing you a perfect summer enjoying KG!

RURAL said...

It really just blows me away how many talented people are out there.

You definitely are one of them. Beautifully written, and beautifully photographed.

Jen

Dirty Girl Gardening said...

Very true. Lovely post....

Anna said...

A beautiful post ~ Mother Nature is definitely the mistress of gardening ~ don't think that we mortals can improve on her artistry.

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Ms S : ) I am working backwards on your posts .. I was awake at 4 this morning so my brain cells are jumbled ? LOL
This is a stunningly beautiful post .. it reminds me of my walks I the woods as a child and that is pure magic .. thank you !
Your pictures and commentary are perfect girl !
Joy

Wall Flower Studio said...

Gossamer wings. Such an apt description, Ms.S.
Your photos are all so lovely. I'm really drawn to the soft pink rose at the top. It just speaks of innocence.

sweetbay said...

Such lovely shades of green in your photos. Mother Nature is the Master Gardener of us all, isn't she? That's so true!