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
Lovely pictures from what must have been a lovely day. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Sheila, for joining me on this journey! Kathryn
Great pictures, mom! I was transported straight there and could “feel” the quiet! Thank you for a lovely journey! This is a favourite post of mine!
Love,
Antonia
What a lovely field trip and to have free roam of such such lovely grounds! The mountains in the background must of made a lovely backdrop. Oh the peace and quiet and the meditation that could of taken place!
Sam
Hi, Antonia! Thank you so much! I’m so glad you liked the post!! Love, Mom xoxo
Hi, Sam, Thank you for visiting! Yes, those mountains pretty much define this entire county. It is very rugged and we are blessed to have them. We move among them all the time. They overshadow us, but in a good way! And, you are right. It was very special to have free access to such a lovely place! Kathryn
What a beautiful nursery. I love those that are essentially gardens where you can buy what you fall in love with. I’d like to bring that entire pond vignette home with me.
LOL! Hi, Pam! Yes, that would be handy, wouldn’t it? 🙂 Dawn would love to make you one, had you lived close by! Thanks for sharing the journey! Kathryn
What beautiful gardens! The sort that make you sigh with longing. I love all the statues, but my favorite would have to be the open book. Your new bird bath is lovely.
Welcome, Nancy! I would have to agree! Wouldn’t that poem bring a smile to your lips every time? And, yes, I’ve been eyeing that birdbath for awhile. I’m glad it’s firmly established among the poppies! Kathryn xox
Kathryn–
Thank you so much for showing me a beautiful spot in the world! I feel as if I was right there with you. Simply beautiful.
Hugs,
CurtissAnn
Hi, CurtissAnn! Well, thanks! We have been sharing imagery. I’ve been going to barrel horse races this last week, reading Lost Highways! Almost done and one in the wings! Fun reading! Kathryn xox
What a beautiful, bright morning. I love nurserys with gardens. it is so great to see what plant will do from a 4″ pot to fully grown. The birdbath is a great addition. We enjoy ours very much. In the spring and fall we have the enjoyment of the migrating birds. The flock of cedar waxwings was especially fun. They were very polite and waited until the other birds had a chance to bathe and drink. I have a shrub near the bath. The birds like to hop on and off the shrub to the bath until they feel safe. Sometimes you see a bird will act as lookout for the other birds. It is like a stageplay out there or television show!Even better! I look forward to seeing it installed on your blog in your garden.
Best,
Philip
Welcome, Philip! I’m glad to hear about your birdbath with the bush nearby, as I planted that birdbath next to a large hollyhock about to burst with blooms and I wasn’t sure if that would put off the birds or not. Right now my yard is largely inhabited by CA towhees, whom I find very amusing. I can’t believe how brave they are! They run on the ground right in front of my Border Collies when they are herding balls, and they don’t even bother to lift off! Yes, infinite entertainment in the garden! Thanks for putting a bee in my bonnet on showcasing my birdies in the bath! Kathryn 🙂
Border collies! We had a very loved one named Nabbie. Ah, tell us about them. they are so intelligent. and so loving with beautiful eyes and big smiles!
🙂
Back to the birds. Yes, birds need a shelter, water and food to make a sanctuary. I fill the birdbath everyday to prevent mosquito larvae. I scour the bath with the hose every morning. I took it for granted, but when Anthony and Heather and their baby Malaya came over when they were taking care of things when I was away, they said that the birds were waiting on the branches for this. I swear I can now see families and juveniles coming from past years.It is just too much fun.
I love how you embrace the natural world, and the small things which connect all of us. I hope your blog will be a book. Until then, lucky us to enjoy it and share.
Regards
Hi, Philip! Yes, Border Collies! See my Animals section for stories about Conner and Ruby! (And there will be more, for sure!) Thanks for the birdbath tips. I have four now, but they only use two so far. I think they will use the new one once they feel safe. The big sunflower one (in some past post) is too hot for their feet most of the time. Maybe I should try more shade. As for “a book”–it’s written! I just have to keep moving toward its coming out! Thanks for the request. Duly noted, from the heart! Kathryn xox
Kathryn,
Your way to enter the nursury made me laugh, but also reminded me and event from my own life. When I used to live in Warsaw, I was jogging in early morning in the area of allotment gardens nearby. One day I found the gate closed 🙁 I couldn’t imagine to give up jogging, so I jumped up over the fence :))
Book is very sweet and the poem lovely and surprising at the same time.
Your jays will be very happy.
kisss,
Ewa
Good morning, Ewa! Your comment touched my heart. I sure wish America would come up with an allotment program, though we do have “community gardens” to some extent. I guess that’s our version. I don’t think they are as common as the European allotments, however. And the Russian program is very established, am I right? Funny fence-jumping story! Thanks for the visit! Kathryn xox
This looks like a very inviting nursery in your beautiful pictures. Make me feel sentimental about California! (I lived in San Francisco Bay Area -at and around Stanford – for over 5 years in the 80s).
Hi, Minerva, Welcome! I just visited your blog. You are quite the traveler and I can relate! Enjoy every second! Kathryn xox
where can i get the garden book with the gossip in the garden poem–thx bev
Hi, Beverly, and welcome. Alas, that nursery no longer exists and I would have no ideas on where to find. Perhaps explore on google? Good luck! Kathryn xoxo
I got all excited when I found your site and saw the open book, I have been looking for it for several years, I saw it at OSH, but at the time I could not afford it and now that I can, I cannot find a place that sells it. Thanks for sharing it on your site.
Margaret
Hi, Margaret and welcome. I hope you find. I would ask this nursery but it no longer exists. Kathryn xoxo