I was profoundly taken with this garden. In fact, it has caused me to rethink the look I hope my garden to evolve to. While I need more colour than this, perhaps because my season is so fleeting, I really enjoy the prominence of form and texture in a limited palate. Maybe also, because for many months of the year my garden is mostly white.
I've always been a big fan of moss and it was used to great effect in this garden. The moss on the branches highlighted their form and echoed the garden floor. With the green on the evergreens and the moss on the branches the vertical element lent a sense of enclosure. Although it was raining, we felt enveloped in a velvety green space.
The variations of green included spots that glowed. Even in the gloom of the rain the shaded garden made its own sunshine.
My favourite memory is of my little boy, in green, stepping in wonder back and forth across the "magic" stepping stones suspended in the water.
So, if you're getting weary of thumbing the seed catalogs and dreaming of your gardens as they will be, take a look back over your photos from the last year and remember how nice it is to dream a little "green" with me. :)
Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises. ~Pedro Calderon de la Barca
13 comments:
Yay Hello Kindred..what a beautiful post..wonderful images..a feast for the eyes!and yes me too..I am mesmerized by green..glowing mossy greens and golden yellows..it is such an enchanting kind of beauty..that takes me straight to the feel of the forest! I love the pic of your little boy walking on the stone steps..beautiful! Wishing you a magical 2013 filled with many blessings to you and your loved ones!
Victoria
You have such great shots....
I love the shot of your little boy, so adorable.
Can you believe after growing up and living on the coast forever, I have never been to visit the gardens?
Now we are a 7 hour drive, and a ferry ride away...maybe one day.
Jen
I adore the shots of all the surfaces in Butchart Gardens softened by a beautiful coat of green. The moss gives a wonderful texture to the rocks and trees. I'm always trying to get more moss to grow in my garden, but as you know it's an uphill battle in our dry climate.
Who could resist crossing that enticing stepping stone path through the water?
I visited Butchart as a child but have never been there as a gardening adult. Now, like Jen, I wish I had visited when I lived closer. There is something striking about shapes in a mature garden like that.
What a beautiful place! I love it when shades are green are used to create entire gardens. The golden foliage is quite sunny, especially in that light.
Hi All,
Thank you for your comments! It really is savour the green even when it's not here. Winter is a wonderful time to reflect on not only our own gardens, but the gardens that influence us. I know I will looking for ways to implement more form into my garden to help get it through the winter months.
Of course, I am also looking at seed catalogues these days and dreaming of new additions to my plantings. And I bet you are too! :)
Hi All,
Thank you for your comments! It really is important to savour the green even when it's not here. Winter is a wonderful time to reflect on not only our own gardens, but the gardens that influence us. I know I will looking for ways to implement more form into my garden to help get it through the winter months.
Of course, I am also looking at seed catalogues these days and dreaming of new additions to my plantings. And I bet you are too! :)
Ms S girl !
I have been trying to catch up on posts and missed yours some how.
This is stunning and I am a fellow green freak : )
My most favorite memories as a child is being in the woods (we were on the Atlantic coast) deep in the woods with no sounds save for the forest and little brooks and streams gurgling .. ferns on the forest floor comforting moss.
It was heaven to me, so green a place of such comfort and solace.
You never forget and perhaps that is what my shade garden is trying to imitate for me.
I love that your little one so enjoyed that special place too!
Joy : )
The moss in that garden is extraordinary! It's amazing how much a golden green can glow even on a cloudy day.
Although I haven't been spending much time online, I kept thinking about you so finally took a moment to stop by. I have those same photos that I took when at Butchart before moving here to the island. I was at Butchart in February 2 years before moving here -- at that time, I had no idea my husband would finally say this is where he'd be willing to retire. The green really is a source of 'freshness' and it's also so hopeful.
I adore the photo of your son.
PS: Did you happen to read my post months ago about all the hollyhock seeds I have to give away? If you'd like some send me an email and I can mail some to you. If not, no worries -- just sending a few more out and thought of you.
Butchard is great, but busy! Did you have a chance to see the UBC Nitobe garden? Truly Japanese.
Adrian: I didn't get to see any other gardens! I would love to do a gardening tour of the area. The nice thing about going to the Butchart off season is that it is quieter. I was there once when the roses were blooming and it was madness - fun, but mad! :)
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