Open book statuary at Nickel Creek Nursery (I LOVED it!)

“Gossip in the Garden”

“Good Morning Glory, what’s the
Four O’clock news?”
Johnny Jump-Up lost his shoes.
Black-eyed Susan has her eye on
you.
And the Tulips want a kiss or two.
Iris just wants Rose to know,
Sweet William is her favorite beau.
Busy Lizzie took her Butcher’s
broom
and chased the Cattails round the
room.
Poor Weeping Willow isn’t feeling well,
and Hollyhocked her Chiming Bell.
Yesterday Daisy cut off Aaron’s
Beard
Then whispered “Forget-me-not”
in
Elephant’s Ear.
Today a Texas Ranger knocked
at my door,
Creeping Jenny found a
Naked Lady lying on the floor.
Tomorrow who knows what gossip
there’ll be
The Flowers are from such a large
family.

Wanderlust tugged again and I obediently drove out to Nickel Creek Nursery which I find a serene and lovely place to be from time to time. Owner Dawn Lorenzi will not mind if you wander about, or sit and take advantage of the myriad vignettes that abound at Nickel Creek. In short it is A Destination Nursery, should there be such a thing. (And I think there is.) Part of the luxury of Nickel Creek is that it is flanked by 70 plus acres of open vineyards.

That’s a whole lotta quiet, my friends.

I had advised Dawn that I wanted to come by with my camera, so I actually arrived early this morning, before the nursery had opened, but enjoyed the company of some Hispanic workers who had arrived, I’m guessing, at dawn. I had been assured the gate of the two-acre nursery would be open, but, in fact, it had not yet been pulled back by the time I arrived. Fortunately, just to the right of the tall gate is this collection of lovely plants, where I found a hole in that fencing.

(I suspect this might have happened before.) I scrambled through and continued with my early morning adventure!

One of my favorite features of this particular nursery is the statuary, of which I am very fond. So I was greeted upon entry by this lady basking in the early light of day. Noting the intensity of the light even at this early hour you might imagine the heat we have been experiencing lately! (No complaints here!)

And she…

Just beyond is one of the vignette’s Dawn has created. As a landscaper she has created water features such as these all over this valley for the last twenty years, leaving her mark of skilled beauty on this community.

Another view reveals more detail.

Continuing with my treat of basically having the nursery All to Myself, I ventured along and discovered this little inviting spot, filled with a variegated rosy rose and an unusual purple geranium.

I found this corner very charming.

A short distance from the boy with the panpipes stood another child, highlighting a second water feature sporting such classic water plantings as cattails, papyrus and canna lilies. (Secret: he has a frog in his back pocket!)

Just around the corner I was enchanted finding a spider about his morning duties lodged near the tippy top of this pineapple fountain!

Coming full circle I am now in front of the nursery again, where this spectacular collection of Columbian high-fired pots greets customers…

And at the very moment of my full circle arrival, Dawn was just emerging from her new hybrid car, warmly greeting me to Nickel Creek Nursery.

Thanks, Dawn, for allowing me to document the abundant beauty you have created. Strong woman!

Here’s what followed me home. (Won’t my jays be happy?)

Enjoy your gardens!
Love and blessings!
Kathryn xox

Posted on June 13th, 2008 by Kathryn
Filed under: Field Trips