Perhaps it's just as well I didn't go to the garden center to pick up plants yet. We had a freeze warning last night. That is still on our to-do list but right now the weather has gone from very warm to downright chilly.
In the meantime, we visited the garden on April 4th. We like this area because it's nice and flat. We not only were looking forward to a little exercise, but I wanted to see the tulips before they started to disappear.
Also, my head was turned skywards. I focused on a few clouds over the center green area.
They were incredible and I enjoy sky watching while sitting on a park bench.
There were a few people walking around and we noticed a group of young men sitting on the grassy area. On closer inspection they were playing cards. There was a lot of laughter, and that was very nice to hear. This was on the Saturday, no work for them that day. They were young and it was a good time to get together with friends and have some fun.
The tulips were putting on quite a show.
Here is the Moon Gate I like. I have seen them before on our travels while visiting other gardens. It was a very happy day when we saw this one being built. It will be two years ago this coming August that we saw its beginnings. They are filling the flower beds very nicely. They should be a sight to behold this summer.
This beauty had just walked through it with its humans after they had stopped to take photos.
And I have to admit, I fell in love with the dress the lady was wearing.
Sometimes it can be a fashion show at the garden. A memory: there was a time back in my younger years that I wanted to be a fashion designer. I have always had an interest in clothing, even those from another era. I know of someone who works in the costume department at a theater. I never in my wildest dreams thought such an opportunity would be open to me in my small town back in the day. If I knew then what I know now, I would have explored the idea more closely. Usually, I am concentrating on walking but this time I was sitting quietly on one of the benches when the couple and their pup came into view. There are videos that I look at online every now and again, where costumes are shown not only from this country but others. I love to settle down and watch them, especially those showing traditional clothing going as far back as the middle-ages, and even further. I have favorite times for fashion, the 20s to the 40s, but then I see another era and I love the Victorian. I could go on. What do you think of her dress? Do you like it?
I was very happy to see a few daffodils. The ones in our neighborhood have all gone.
I didn't realize peonies would be blooming already.
The garden is slowly coming back to life after its winter rest.
I will finish here as I have a few things I need to get done but will have more photos to share soon.
Thanks for looking and
enjoy your day.
I love tulips and daffodils and peonies! And that Moon gate is glorious. How lovely to wander thru a beautiful garden.
ReplyDeletecheers
sherry
Hello Sherry, thank you so much :) it is one of my favorite places to wander. Cheers, Denise
DeleteDear Denise, what a lovely garden visit with all the beautiful flowers and meeting the people! The dress is truly enchanting. As a young girl, I loved designing and sketching fashions.
ReplyDeleteThe dog is handsome; I like that breed.
Thank you for this tour!
Have a wonderful day! Hugs, Elke
Hello Dear Elke, and how wonderful that we both enjoyed designing and sketching fashions :) how nice that we agree on this lady’s dress. My family used to have a dog like this when I still lived at home. You are very welcome to the tour and thank you. You have a wonderful day also. Hugs, Denise
DeleteMy comment has disappeared, so you may get a partial one from me. I love the Peonies, there are none here yet. Their color is stunning. And I love the beautiful dress; perfect for a walk in the garden. I remember you posting the Moon Gate when it was being built.
DeleteThanks for trying again Ginny, I appreciate that :) It was a hot day and I thought the dress was perfect for the weather. Loved the color of the peonies too. I dare say I will be posting the moon gate again when the flower beds fill in.
DeleteWhat a pleasure to walk through the garden and see all the beautiful flowers. Love the tulips and daffodils.
ReplyDeleteThe ladies dress looks ok.
Thanks Margaret :) one of my favorite places to walk through. Those tulips and daffodils were great to see.
DeleteThe lady with her fine dress will attract as many appreciative looks as the flowers!
ReplyDeleteNo doubt David :)
DeleteSuch pretty flowers. I do love her dress. I see women in the cutest dresses and think I want one but whenever I try one on, it just looks bad on me.
ReplyDeleteWe have our own style, I’ve been there before :)
DeleteDear Denise, what a wonderful garden stroll! The Moon Gate is truly magical; ... walking through it in a beautiful dress… that's exactly how it should be!
ReplyDeleteI also love admiring other people's beautiful clothes… and I adore dresses that enhance the wearer's radiance…
and every now and then I sew one for myself…
Warmest regards!
How lovely that you can make your own dresses Viola. Thank you for your lovely comment. Warm regards to you also :)
DeleteIt's lovely to wander through a garden at this time of year with all the colourful spring bulbs in bloom.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you Jo, thank you :)
DeleteI've been to Virginia in the Spring and it was amazing with all of the flowers that arrive so much sooner than what we get!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful dress she had too.
Thanks Val, it is a favorite time of the year for me and yes on the dress :)
DeleteWhat a fabulous post. Those tulips are gorgeous and it was fun to look up to the sky. I really enjoy cloud watching. And garden visiting too, so thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteHi Erika, thank you so much for the kind words and you are very welcome :) glad you enjoyed the garden.
DeleteThe lady's dress has my favourite colours in it. If you need to see more spring flowers, go to the Keukenhof gardens in the Netherlands. Millions of gorgeous tulips displayed, so beautiful. Saw the gardens years ago, picked up a souvenir book, which is now on my coffee table for a look at each day in April.
ReplyDeleteYes, it’s a beautiful shade of green. The color of it made me pause and take a closer look, and then I loved the pattern of flowers. That would be wonderful to go to the Netherlands to see the tulip fields. I have known people who have done that. How lovely that you have been, and have the memory book to remember the trip :)
DeleteIt’s a pleasure to see the flowers and also people about in nice summer attire. We still await daffodils.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is and how very nice you still have the daffodils to look forward to :)
DeleteYou are lucky to be so close to a beautiful garden with northern spring bulbs in bloom. I do love tulips and daffodils. When I lived in Michigan a "hundred years ago" (it seems that long Ha), I planted so many bulbs in the backyard. From crocus to daffodils & tulips, and then a great childhood favorite, bearded iris in purple. Purple iris was the state flower of Tennessee, and I grew up in east Tennessee. I miss iris too.
ReplyDeleteThere are several places we can go to for a walk Carol, one of the benefits of living in a highly populated area I suppose. There are those who donated their land in their will to the local government for just this purpose and I will be forever grateful to them. This place is one of them. Thank you for sharing your memory about your crocus, daffodils and tulips. That must have looked stunning. I love the purple bearded iris and I was too late getting photos at their peak. I can understand why you miss them. Yes, seems like a hundred years ago for me too on lots of things, or as I sometimes say, another lifetime ago :)
DeleteAs I was reading about your looking at the clouds, I hoped you were sitting down! I tend to get a little dizzy, when standing and looking up. Those flowers and the grounds are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the thoughtful concern Linda :) I would be the same as you so I definitely have to sit down when looking up. Happy you enjoyed the gardens and what they have to offer.
DeleteI do like the dress, as well as this beautiful garden. A dog in the mix is an added bonus!
ReplyDeleteSo glad Sandra and I agree, that sweet dog was an added bonus :)
DeleteIt's good to hear some happy noises.
ReplyDeleteCouldn’t agree more Red :)
DeleteSuch a pretty garden. There must be a huge team of gardeners.
ReplyDeleteThank you Janice, it must be. I know they also have a lot of volunteers as well as the regular staff.
DeleteGorgeous photos it is a cold April in Toronto too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Christine :) I hope the weather warms up for you soon.
DeleteA perfect time of year to visit a beautiful botanical garden = to watch new life unfolding gradually. I know have told you a million times how I love seeing other people's Spring flowers because they don't grow here.. But I must say it again because this is such a beautiful flower post. I also love how you enjoy people watching (and dogs) as you enjoy the spring beauty.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed Sallie :) and I appreciate your kind words. Thank you so much!
DeleteWOW DOUBLE WOW. DENISE THE CLOUDS ARE BEAUTIFUL AS ARE ALL THE RAINBOW OF FLOWERS.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU FOR SHARING
HUGS CECILIA
That’s great Cecilia and you are very welcome, thank you so much! Hugs, Denise :)
DeleteBeautiful garden.
ReplyDeleteThank you Anne :)
DeleteI like the dress and the color too - but it would not look good on me.
ReplyDeleteI think that park has the prettiest flowers - my favorite were the tulips. Glad you were able to go and walk.
Know what you mean Sandie, I wouldn’t be able to wear it but in my imagination, all bets are off, haha! The tulips are gorgeous! Thank you :) I was happy to have a walk that day. It was so nice and warm.
DeleteWonderful photos Denise, great to see the flowers and loving all the clouds. Her dress is nice, I like it too :-D
ReplyDeleteThank you Ananka, glad you enjoyed this :) it was great to see the flowers and the clouds.
DeleteThe garden looks lovely and what a great place to walk and people watch. I like that moon gate, a great addition to the garden. So many cheerful tulips and daffodils. Enjoy your evening.
ReplyDeleteEverything you say is very true Ellen :) I had a great time doing all the things you mentioned. You have a wonderful evening too.
DeleteSuch a lovely garden, I did enjoy your photographs.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I am super happy you enjoyed all my photos Jan. Thank you so much and all the best to you too :)
DeleteI really like Moon Gate. The flowers are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary :) I am a big fan of Moon Gates. Glad you liked it and the flowers. I am always in my happy place when I am in a garden.
DeleteLovely photos of all the flowers. The weather has been crazy here as well.. we are swinging between 30's and 80's. It's wild.
ReplyDeleteHello Hena and thank you :) The weather here has been swinging wildly too. Right now I have a blanket around my shoulders and am heading for a hot tea next.
Deletethe skies and clouds are magnificent. we have been out visiting the gardens as well on days when the weather cooperates. i know you saw my images from longwood gardens. i always wait until after mothers day to plant my flowers. and when i say "i", you know i mean chuck. i would not have guessed you had an interest in clothing and fashion but i know you have a creative side so that would aline with that. our daffodils have faded too, and the tulips are looking pretty sad. next will be the azaleas!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Debbie :) Always fun to get out and about to these places. I am in awe of your Longwood Garden photos. I dearly want to go see it. Not a lot of people know this about me. I don’t usually mention it as to look at me I am a very plain dresser. Our azaleas have bloomed and are already fading, but there’s always something new to look forward to :) can’t wait!
DeleteWhat a lovely outing, Denise, and a perfect weather day as well. There are scant blooms here in NH now as warm weather was short lived, here last week and gone this week but with a lot of rain in the forecast for next week. Hopefully, spring will arrive here, later but not sooner😕. I also enjoyed reading about your interest in fashion, a new side if yourself.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was a lovely outing Dorothy. I hope you see your blossoms soon. It will be there before you know it and let's hope the frost or rain doesn't surprise them. Glad you enjoyed reading about my old memories and present-day ones about fashion. I have never been a fashion plate, but I do enjoy looking at them. I remember as a kid making my own paper dolls and mother would give me her old catalogues and I would trace the patterns from the pages onto paper, to dress my paper dolls. It is a very pleasant memory.
DeleteA garden visit is always a plus! This time of year is so unreliable! I can't plant anything till Memorial Day -- or maybe May 15 if it has been exceptionally warm! Good to delay that nursery visit!
ReplyDeleteA very true statement Jeanie :) I hope the weather cooperates with your planting. I am holding off for at least another week, maybe to the end of April and see where we are then. It was warm again today, in the high 70s. The weather gauge can't keep up!
DeleteThe flowers are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI'm not that far away, but I haven't seen tulips in my neck of the woods yet, and usually we have some really nice ones.
Thank you Sandra :) I hope you see them soon.
Delete