Rita in the pond with raindrops (!!!rain!!!), DecemberI took thousands of garden photos in 2014; thankfully most of them did not appear on this blog as they were out of focus, overexposed, or both, about 90% of the time.
These are some of my favorites of 2014--not my best photos, maybe, but my favorites, or the ones that grabbed my attention for some reason not even I know.
This photo is flawed--I wish I'd removed the white roses in the vase first--they don't belong there--but these red 'Beloved' roses, just opening after a heavy rain, really were that gorgeous. It's the roses, more than the photo. I never want to forget how luciously extravagantly red they were on a wet grey morning.
This was the Floramagoria garden in Portland in July. Marvelous garden. I liked all the differing textures in this photo, and the purple/orange/yellow/blue color combination, and remembering being surrounded by happy plant nuts oohing and ahhing over it all.
Many of my favorites this year were taken at the Fling. Deer scarer at the Portland Japanese garden. Luminous green rippled metal mirror of water.
Fling yet again, an umbellifer at West Wind Farm.
The same location. Love lavender! The image brings to mind the scent. Think on the scent of lavender...
This was Joy Creek Nursery. Overexposed, but the bees, and the light, and the Eryngiums with their stiff spiked bracts...
A mass of Rudbeckias, also at Joy Creek. Warmth itself.
A Lotus flower at the Huntington. Elegant dignity.
Also at the Huntington, flowers from Pachycereus marginatus:
Flowers and spines on an Opuntia:
My neighbor's house, because it looks so very California. If only the Citrus tree on the right had been loaded with ripe fruit, it would have been even better. And if only one of their cats, the imperious grey-and-white one, was seated in the wrought-iron basket, the high throne from which he surveys his domain.
Another neighbor's Aloe dorotheae got seriously Pinterested.
Clematis 'Wisley'--I never get tired of trying to get the ultimate photo of this--still trying.
Siamese twinsy Camellias
Dreamy bokeh, lime Aloe flowers.
The variety of shapes and textures here isn't bad.
And here. February at the Huntington, a blue waterfall of Agave leaves.
Also back in February, my Tulip experiment.
Well, I could go on, but that's enough. I hope your 2014 was a year of many beauties, and may your 2015 be even better.
All gorgeous! I had to bow out of the Fling this year, and missing Floramagoria is my sharpest regret. Maybe it will open again to the public in 2015, and I'll get a second chance.
ReplyDeleteBribe your way in if you have to. One of the best residential gardens I have ever seen.
DeleteSo many fantastic photos from a great photographer! Don't underestimate how good you are!!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to MANY more photos in 2015. Merry Christmas!
You are very kind, GB!
DeleteIt's hard for me to believe you could ever produce a poor picture - those posted on your blog are always extraordinary. I look forward to seeing what beauty 2015 brings.
ReplyDeleteYou are very kind, Kris!
Delete2014 was a year of beauties, many of which were here, on your blog. Thank you for being a bit of my eternal sunshine dream.
ReplyDeleteLikewise!
DeleteHow is it you can grow clematis and camellias in Southern California but I cant in South Florida? (I'm jealous!) Are they particularly heat loving varieties? Also, would love to know more about your Tulip Experiment as I cant grow these down here either. What's your secret?
ReplyDeleteDid you try a viticella hybrid Clematis? ('Perle d'Azur', 'Polish Spirit', 'Etoile Violette', etc) Those seem to do well in my no-chill climate. Also, look at the species C. crispa that is native to the Southeast US--cute flower!
DeleteNo secret, everyone here does it, tulips are easy, you chill them in the fridge (not the freezer) for 6-8 weeks and then plant them in the coolest-soil spot you have and hope there isn't a heat wave when they bloom. Do not keep any fruit in the fridge for that chill period because the chemicals given off by fruits, especially apples, will affect the bulbs in a negative way, and label the bulbs as non-edible tulip bulbs so no one thinks they are food.
Your photography skills are undeniable Gail, and your beautiful photos are always something to look forward to!
ReplyDeleteYou are very kind, M&G!
DeleteA beautiful selection of floral images from 2014 dear Hoover, I hope your garden keeps growing so beautifully and flowers are in abundance in 2015.
ReplyDeletexoxoxo ♡
The same to you, Dianne, best wishes for a beautiful 2015!
DeleteDoes it mark me as a horrible person to confess that I take pleasure in knowing that there are photographic failures leading up to the stellar shots we regularly see? I'll need to see it to believe it: better show us one of these 'rejects'.
ReplyDeleteToo many rejects to choose from. What to do?
DeleteYou have some serious photographic talent! Beautiful pictures. There are too many favourites to name without listing 3/4 of the entire post, but the "waterfall" of agave leaves is spectacular.
ReplyDeleteArent those Agaves amazing? They are huge.
DeleteLoved looking at 2014 through your lens, Hoov.
ReplyDeleteLikewise!
DeleteThey are all wonderful, but the dripping water is sublime. I wish you many photos in 2015.
ReplyDelete