Now, dear readers, I know what some of you are thinking. Tulips again. I make no apologies, however, for taking myself on a little jaunt after what seems like days and days of pounding rain (and more this morning to greet us upon arising!). As sheets fell yesterday on our Easter Sunday I found myself pondering the obvious parallel between the Resurrection and the perennials which steadfastedly and loyally return year upon year to grace our lives. Thus the inspiration to turn into the rain and see what was about. And beautiful tulips were definitely part of the terrain! Come!

Spritely red ones ready to open!

And how charming is this vignette? Oh, I love it!

Not to be upstaged, I come upon these apple blossoms wending their way over a fence in a neighbor’s yard.

And while, yes, this fruit branch is a bit weary from the driving rains, you must admit it’s holding its enchanting beauty. (Good metaphor!)

I find another tulip loving person in the neighborhood, and with good reason!

As you can imagine my flower appetite is beginning to be sated and then I turn a corner to find these marvelous red and yellow ranunculus, growing among these endearing forget me nots!

What’s next? What was next was a garden that had a number of broom plants growing within. I was surprised, as broom is something we in California are encouraged to pull up, as it threatens to take over parts of our counties, so aggressive is it. However, I had to take a second look as this broom was as lovely as ever, and it had not yet even begun to blossom. Who knew it was so pretty?

My walk was winding down. Whom I brought home with me in my camera were this lavender about to explode into blossom…

And, these two plants which I will need to have a reader identify for me, as I know not what they are. #1:

And (help) #2:

I’m noticing the bit of gloom that had accompanied me out the door was fully dispelled by the time I got back home. And I punctuate this post with two lovelies awaiting me at home:

(I have never never seen this camellia so abundantly full; it must love the rain.)

And these dear wee ones I find so charming…

English daisy

Thank you, lovely readers, for joining me in this morning’s adventure. I invite you to look beyond your own immediate gardens for inspiration–and report back!

Shhhhh…I think I hear the patter of rain!

Love and gardening blessings,
Kathryn xoxo

Posted on April 5th, 2010 by Kathryn
Filed under: Plants | 8 Comments »

One of the unexpected pluses that presented itself during my lovely birthday celebration was the tulip garden blossoming outside the Grace Hudson Museum. I could scarcely coax some of my girlfriends into the Maynard Dixon western art show we’d come to see as they shot the tulips from every angle. Hmmm. Good idea! Today I returned, camera in hand, and immersed myself in their spectacular beauty!

During Antonia’s childhood we lived in Amsterdam for three years, so tulips hold a special place in the hearts of our family. These miraculously colorful flowers readily conjure the stands of flower sellers along the narrow flower markets that lie near the treasured canals that crisscross that beautiful city. Here is what we are likely to remember.

We fully immersed ourselves into Dutch culture and tulips became an icon of the life we came to know and love in Holland. It was with this precious memory in mind that I approached this lovely shoot.

You might well know the Dutch have been working with tulips since the 17th C. when a biologist working in Leiden received bulbs from a colleague in Turkey. And so began their extraordinary history. Their story continues in my visit to the museum gardens here.

Could these be any more dear?

Or cheerful?

I changed my view to begin to look at single flowers. I find myself in awe witnessing this purple variegated tulip.

Forever a fan of tulips through their various stages once cut, I appreciate how this one has begun its backward bend into even greater beauty.

Are you thinking Easter yet??

Hello, sun in my face.
Hello, you who made the morning
and spread it over the fields
and into the faces of the tulips
~Mary Oliver

The restoring freshness of white. Hmmmm…

Beholding your beauty I will sleep a little more deeply tonight, your blessed gifts having filled my mind, my eye, my heart. Thank you, dear tulips. Thank you, dear readers, for sharing the journey.

Love and spring blessings,
Kathryn xoxoo

Posted on March 19th, 2010 by Kathryn
Filed under: Plants | 23 Comments »