Whoosh! That's the sound of summer days passing by at an alarming rate. A friend is visiting from Australia and I'm having fun showing her the sights. Butchart Gardens was a must - that was Wednesday. Tuesday was our seaside walk in Sidney and yesterday was spent downtown. All these photos are from Butchart Gardens.
Perfect symmetry in this dahlia from the Perfect Designer. I love the way each curled petal is holding a tiny droplet of water.
Interplantings. If you've been around my blog for very long, you'll know that I'm fond of pinks, blues and whites in the garden, and tend towards the cool and understated.
I took time on this visit to appreciate some of the other combinations. It's easy for me to admire, briefly, the hotly coloured begonias and leave without taking a photo. Above is a sampling of interplanting that is warm and vibrant - it fairly pops.
In contrast, here's another group of plants that, put together, form a very different impression. Calmer. Pretty, but not stunning. Yet my eye lingers longest on this palette.
These flower combinations sort of remind me of people - some of us are the quiet type, others chattier and others flamboyant. We're all beautiful and can appreciate each other. There are contrasts and complements.
These interplantings remind me of parties. Here's another party in a window box at the gardens. There are the loud, boisterous ones with lots of laughter and chatter, and quieter gatherings where the laughter is accompanied by softer voices.
This little analogy breaks down quickly for one's garden is not necessarily a reflection of personality. I know a couple of quiet contemplatives whose gardens are a riot of contrast. I'd love to know your thoughts on if you think gardens reflect personality traits.
And I'm off to spend the day with my friend, at home. I hope to plant carrots for the fall, do a little weeding, laundry and putter about the house.
I hadn't thought of it, but yes I do believe gardens show character traits of the gardener. I do love the palette of pink, blue, and white. I also like a fairly tidy garden, where my husband (live-in gardener) doesn't mind a more jumble in the garden. Since he does most of the work, I can't complain too much. Can't wait to see an autumn garden at Butchart. I have seen a spring garden there, but not an autumn one. I believe too that each season shines in different hues.
ReplyDeleteI think we all move forward in different ways. I love a tidy-ish garden but always end up with the true 'me', a wildly rampant cottage garden with mixtures of colour (mostly soft). Walking up a little path,brushing against lavender, love in the mist...and alchemilla, all falling out of their beds, is perfect for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these gorgeous combos of blooms, Lorrie. I really like the last one of the riotous window box. Although that wouldn't be a choice I'd make I certainly enjoy the colours. I'm more of a pink, purple, yellow and blue flower person and love mixing those colours in pots. I also have been adding some oranges into my pots of late. I guess I'm being risqué in my old age. :) Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteLove all this color! Well now, that is an interesting discussion. No, I don't think my personality is represented in my garden. Oh that it were! Perhaps those who have calm gardens have come to terms with their calm, quiet personalities.
ReplyDeleteGood words to illustrate the beauty of the flowers and their arrangements. I especially love that overflowing window box. A special treat to have a friend visiting from afar. Have a good weekend together, if she's still there!
ReplyDeleteI cannot get over that flowerbox. I think it is the prettiest I've ever seen.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend!
Lovely! Interesting as to the idea of personalities and flower colors and styles in the garden.
ReplyDeleteDeanna
gorgeous blooms. i wish i could have a beautiful garden like this one. wow wee!! so happy for the eyes. have a lovely weekend!!! ( :
ReplyDeleteButchart has so much beauty to offer. Hope you had a nice day of puttering. I'm not sure if my personality is reflected in what I plant. Mostly I choose things I don't think will die easily. :)
ReplyDeletePartying with friends and plants is a great way to spend the day. Don't you get inspired to go out and dig in your garden after you have been to a public garden? Love the sun flowers, always a favorite.
ReplyDeleteI can almost smell the heliotrope in those planters! So pretty....love the 'circus' of colours. Enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteThat dahlia is amazing and I love sunflowers! Fields full of sunflowers and gardens of dahlias make me quite happy:)
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Aimee
Gorgeous colors and I love them all. :-) But, you mentioned weeding which is a full time job here with all the rain we've been getting.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photographs Lorrie. Those Sunflowers in the first photograph are sensational. Must find out what variety they are.
ReplyDeleteYour beautiful flower photos have me longing for another visit to Butchart.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting thoughts on the color combinations in the garden. As a quiet contemplative type I would lean towards the lighter pastels with a few pops of bright pink and purple. However, not long after moving to the south I read that the bolder colors lend an air of coolness to the garden, whereas the light pastels look a bit washed out making us feel more washed out, tired, lazy or any other adjective used to describe the state of one who endures the hot and humid summers the south are so famous for. In the interest of keeping as cool as possible, I am open to a livelier garden palette.
Beautiful summer colours they have!
ReplyDeleteHi Lorrie, I enjoyed your photos and your words. You have a way with words and writing. I never really have given this much thought, but I delighted in reading your thoughts. Love the window box . . . it looks like you gave your friend the grand tour, you're a sweet friend:)
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely week and be sure to visit next week and get in on my Give-A-Way :)
What a beautiful place to take your friend! The flowers are so pretty aren't they. So glad that you are having fun! xx
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely flowers! I have to admit my gardens are a reflection of me. A bit loud and quirky and kitschy. :) I then toward, magenta, yellows and oranges and purples. :) Kit
ReplyDeleteI'm not usually a fan of perfection, especially in nature, but that dahlia is a thing of beauty! Truly gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
The colours of these flowers are like rainbow kisses come to shine on earth, lovely blooms and snaps!
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit these gardens. You got some awesome photos of the gorgeous flowers there. I enjoyed them so much.
ReplyDeleteOh, how I'd love to have a window planter filled like that one!!
ReplyDelete