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I had a few hours free on Friday due to the semester changeover at school. I get together with my girls fairly often for tea, but rarely with my son. So I arranged to pick him up at his office and we went for lunch together. It was fun. I hope to do it again.
After lunch, since I was out towards Butchart Gardens, I stopped by for a walk. Alternating sun and clouds made for interesting photos; some drab and dull, others imbued with faint winter sunshine.
There was very little in bloom, so I focused on the architecture and decor of the garden. Above are a pair of bronze herons in the star pond.
A graceful figure in the Italian Garden pond.
Also in the Italian Garden, but in a curve of the hedge, is a statue of Mercury. It was interesting to see, later, when I went through the display in the house...
this invoice, from Italy, for that very statue, dated March 12, 1927. The interior display runs for only a few months as it takes space from the restaurant and tea rooms. They are not as busy in these months. The artifacts on display change slightly from year to year, so I like to see what's there.
A view into the Italian Garden through an arch in the hedge. Mrs. Butchart's conservatory/sun room is seen in the top window.
In these months of fewer visitors, I like to go against the flow of traffic and visit the gardens backwards. Do you find that you see things differently when you view them in a different order?
These stepping stones, with the red bridge beyond, are one of my favourite places. All the curved lines and tangled branches juxtapose nicely.
There were a few things blooming, such as this witch hazel tree. Its blooms look like a bunch of ribbons gathered together in little bouquets. The red entrance arch to the Japanese Garden is in the background.
During these quieter months, the Blue Poppy cafe is turned into a Spring Prelude Garden, filled with winding pathways, flowering bulbs, and lots of orchids. I can never quite decide if I like orchids, or not. Do you?
No question about the tulips - they are such cheerful flowers, especially in these vibrant shades.
A little path lined with daffodils was the cheeriest thing, all bright and golden. I exited into dull grey spatters, but the golden hope of spring stayed with me as I drove home, windshield wipers flapping back and forth.
Linking to Mosaic Monday, hosted by Maggie of Normandy Life.
I've never even thought to walk the garden against the flow...clever you!
ReplyDeleteDoesn't that red bridge look so cheerful against the landscape?
It must be relatively quiet at the gardens at this time of year...after the festive holiday decorations have been taken down and before the spring bulbs pop up. Still a lovely place for a walk.
How nice to enjoy Butchart being able to walk about without a huge crowd. Daffodils are very cheery indeed. Hope you are having a good week.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos, I loved the statues. But most of all the cheerful bright tulips! Have a great week Lorrie!
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks slightly ahead of ours at the moment. I'm a big fan of orchids now; something I've grown into. They give so much colour for such a long time. Ours are blooming in the conservatory and will last months. That garden is beautiful with its statuary and lovely paths :) B x
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely place to visit and your photos have captured it wonderfully. Like you I am not quite sure about orchids although I like them when grown naturally as they are in our Royal Horticultural Society's garden at Wisley not far from where I used to live where the orchid house is beautiful. One in a pot? No thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou took us on a beautiful stroll, the daffodils looked amazing a joy to see.
ReplyDeleteLorrie, I always enjoy your visits to the beautiful Butchart Gardens, regardless of the season. The photo of the stepping stones leading to the red bridge is magical - love the contrast in colours but similarity in shapes. I giggled at your comment about orchids; to me they look like some form of alien beings - tulips are more my style. The daffodils are such a pretty prelude to spring, aren't they? I'm patiently waiting for the very fragrant narcissus to debut in our garden then bring it indoors to scent the house with pure floral freshness.
ReplyDeleteHappy Wednesday,
Poppy
How lovely to see so much colour in the garden. I love the scent of Witch hazel.
ReplyDeleteThe architectural elements are lovely. And the cheerful daffodils!!
ReplyDeleteYou do know how to treat yourself well, Lori. In your line of work you need to pamper yourself when you get the opportunity. The garden is the perfect place to unwind. Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to go against the flow in your walking of Butchart Gardens, Lorrie. My favorite photo was the one taken through the archway. I hope that one day I can visit there again.
ReplyDeleteYour post on your daughter's family helping the young family, and what they did in return was so heartwarming. They are living the word of God!
I so enjoyed strolling counterclockwise through Butchart Gardens with you this afternoon, Lorrie. I imagine they are stunning at any time of year but these photographs are particularly beautiful I love the glance through the archway into the courtyard in front of the house and could stand and stare at the statues for ages.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your visit with us at MM this week.
Such wonderful place to visit and have a cosy time to walk while admiring nature and architecture! So lovely flowers and statues, too!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed so much the bridge; but all the aspects in the pictures and collages are great!
Have a very nice day and week, too!
That garden is beautiful whatever the season! Thanks for sharing your January visit.
ReplyDeleteThose daffodils fill my heart with happiness! My favorite flower, or at least they used to be when we lived in the PNW -- I don't see them growing very often any more, since it is too hot here in our part of Florida. So those alone would have been worth the visit to Butchart Gardens. How wonderful to live where this beautiful place can be one of your regular haunts -- and it must be great in non-tourist season.
ReplyDeleteLorrie, thanks for the tour; it's far too long since I saw Butchart Gardens. What a brilliant idea you had to take advantage of the lighter traffic and see things in reverse! Now that you've given me the idea, I'll never forget it.
ReplyDeleteSuch a breath of Spring air ... enjoyed the vicarious tour of the gardens. Beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
What a beautiful place and glorious photos! Spring is just around the corner....isn't it ??
ReplyDeleteLorrie, what a gorgeous adventure! I too am drawn to the little red bridges. They remind me of the Japanese Tea Gardens at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed all your pictures in this post Lorrie. I love your sense of history too and how interesting you found the invoice for that actual statue in the house...like you I love that connection with the past. Also like you I am never sure if I like orchids or not! I think I like the colours and the flowers close up but not the rigid way they grow.......
ReplyDeleteWishing you a happy week.
Helen xox
I love how the garden changes through the seasons. What a treat to see the inside of the house. I was so curious. Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteOh I can't imagine seeing spring flowers yet! What a nice afternoon you had in such a pretty place. I know what you mean about orchids. They're lovely, but don't seem the friendliest flowers for some reason. Unlike daffodils and tulips, which just seem to shout friendly spring hellos!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful garden! That photo of the red bridge and the winding path and water is lovely!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of orchids. I think they are interesting and there is such great variety but I would never buy them.
Glad you had some time with your son and a lovely visit to the gardens.
How lovely to meet your son and take in a tour of the gardens too! I always enjoy your posts from there, the gardens certainly are pretty aren't they.
ReplyDeleteA good landscape architect shows beauty and structure throughout every season, even in a snow covered garden. Butchart has been well designed for this and the Toronto Botanical Gardens are also a lovely example of all season interest.
ReplyDeleteLunch with your son sounded like a good bonding time.
Love the pretty shot of the red bridge. I'm a fan of orchids, although I have an orchid plant that hasn't bloomed in years!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I know that envy is a sin, but I must admit just a tad of envy at your proximity to Butchart Gardens. I hope to see it in person someday. Your photos are just so wonderful... and I giggled aloud at your comment/question about orchids because that is exactly how I feel. I am just not sure whether I like them or not. But I love your photos and how wonderful to get to have tea with your son... a special occasion.
ReplyDeleteLovely. I think that a winter garden is beautiful in its simplicity. The statuary really stands out in a winter garden. Orchids are like something from another world. So wonderful to live near such an amazing garden. xx K
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful site! The Italian Garden looks fabulous and the entrance into the Italian Garden through the arch is my favourite view among all the lovely ones.
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't especially like orchids, most certainly I don't l o v e them like I love almost all the other flowers. :)
Thank you very much for sharing these beautiful photos!
Such a beautiful place to visit in any season.
ReplyDeleteça fait vraiment du bien de voir des fleurs et de la verdure ! Chez nous tout est encore très froid et gris, les températures sont un peu remontées mais une nouvelle vague de froid est annoncée. Brrrr...
ReplyDeleteAh les orchidées... elles sont belles mais semblent difficile d'entretien. Il paraît que ce n'est pas vrai. Beaucoup de gens autour de moi les multiplient et les font refleurir... j'ai envie de leur demander des boutures mais j'ai peur de ne pas m'en occuper correctement. Mais je pourrais tout aussi bien réussir ! Donc je suis encore indécise, comme toi.
Je te souhaite une bonne fin de semaine.
These Italian Gardens are just lovely.
ReplyDeleteI can't say I've ever visited a garden (or similar place) and walked 'the wrong way round' - perhaps I'll have to give it a try.
Your photo's are lovely and so good to see the colours in them.
All the best Jan
Wow! Tulips and daffodils in full bloom, amazing! I just love witch hazel. Now I need to check mine tomorrow, but I doubt it is blooming. I can't wait to once again visit these gardens. They are beautiful in every season. Thanks for sharing the beauty of the gardens.
ReplyDeleteThe gardens are still beautiful even in winter. When we walked through Butchart Gardens, we liked the Japanese gardens the best. My kids loved all the little ponds and the hog scarer. Glad you were able to spend some time with your son. For me, I spend more time with my son rather than my daughter. Although she does like to have me along for shopping ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tour...how lovely these gardens are even in winter. Very dreary here so I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteYou took some really amazing pictures, great idea to traverse the garden backwards! Love that idea! I like orchids, but since we don't get much light here, I have never tried to buy or grow them. Tulips - why yes ma'am! LOVE love love them :) I planted a ton of them in my garden last fall and hope to see some happy faces in a few months .. no chance of tulips yet here, snow falling heavily today! Have a lovely weekend :)
ReplyDeleteLorrie, that red bridge and curvy paths is really nice. I have not been to Butchart Garden in years. I really enjoyed when I visited. The tulips are refreshing. Thanks for sharing. Sylvia D.
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