Out and about a few weeks ago. The inexpensive paper lanterns gave acheerful, celebratory feeling given to this covered patio area. The designer added ribbons in the same color range, to flutter in the breeze.
Local nursery display. Lots of small succulents and Mangaves. I particularly liked the grey Mangaves matching the grey Dustin Gimbel ceramic towers.
However, last year's design with the grass-green of Acacia 'Cousin Itt' contrasting with spikes of blue Senecio and mounds of silvery Helichrysum--the greater simplicity of less and larger plants seems more soothing. 'Cousin Itt's new-grass green seems to work particularly well with the grey concrete.
June 2021:
Whoa! What's so expensive!?!?!
Not thrilled with this next thing. The design itself is quite attractive. The plants, however, are artificial plastic. Not a plastic fan.
Moving on, a garden I have the privilege of visiting every so often:
Trees that were mature 50 years ago
Very Italian in style.
The house dates from the 1920's.
A treat to visit!
Another garden in the area I visit every so often. It looked wonderful, in its late spring best.
Then, moving on...some days later, from the sublime to the ridiculous.
A classic "What we do to trees" sighting. Yes, those are trees:
Oh, the sights you can see out there.
I love the blue and white lantern art installation! In stark contrast, those brutalized (ficus?) trees left me dumbfounded - why wouldn't the homeowners just cut them down if they're leaf-phobic? I visited the garden center featured in some of your shots last weekend, with my husband in tow, which was a novelty. (We were there to meet up with our nephew and have lunch.) The prices of just about everything have taken a jump it seems. I have my own post "in the can" to publish tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThe things we do to trees. 🤢
DeleteLooking forward to your post! Hope you had a good time with Husband and Nephew.
Those last trees are Seussian indeed. Love the big formal garden you're privileged to visit; how calm and quiet it looks.
ReplyDeleteHi Jane!
DeleteTruffula trees? The Lorax would be sad.
Visiting that garden is like instant transport to Italy.
Wow, great examples! Too bad about the plastic; with real plants it would fabulous. That price tag...yikes!
ReplyDeleteI was a little surprised by the plastic-some of the workers there have the skill and knowledge to do that with real plants (maybe not in our dry climate, though). Yeah, the prices. 👀
DeleteThe greenhouse is fantastic; it will definitely need to be inclosed for my climate!
ReplyDeleteCan't help but be impressed with the Italian villa and grounds: it is magnificent.
The last photo... depressing. I almost wish I could un-see it :-D
Chavli
Weird story about that last photo. The other side of their driveway had exquisitely sculpted Bonsai junipers--what would take real skill and knowlege. Should have taken a photo. So there's more to the story. Will have to get back there.
DeleteRoger's Gardens, I assume?
ReplyDeleteThose trees! What are they? They look like concrete sculptures, painted green on top!
Yep Rogers. Ficus benjamina, with their driveway-lifting root systems. 😒
DeleteOK ... I am speechless ... almost, moving beyond the glass-less greenhouse at that price point ? ... WHY would anyone do that to trees ... just WHY ?? ... otherwise loved seeing the gardens of that mansion ? .. very beautiful .. artful ... and then you ended with that horrific tree shot ... wow ... all night I will be saying wow to myself.
ReplyDeleteThe things you can see out there in the world..., you know?
DeleteOh that "Italian" garden. Trees to make you swoon in the best way, compared to the last photo. Really interesting to hear that they had Bonsai on the other side of the driveway . Maybe those trees are their attempt at Bonsai on a tree they don't like.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to see mature trees like that in such a fabulous garden. They are really something special.
DeleteNot sure what the story is on those strange Ficus. I'll be watching them!
Plastic plants! No, just no.
ReplyDelete