Throwback Thursday: U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington D.C.

Several years ago, I visit Washington D.C. with my children. I recently happened upon this picture from that trip, which I took inside the U.S. Botanic Garden. I was so impressed with this indoor garden. It was filled with such a variety of plants I didn't know where to look first. I can't wait until I have a chance to return. 

If you ever get the chance to visit D.C., I do recommend a stop at this wonderful place. 

Gorgeous Gardens: Carmel Mission California

I've been looking through old photos recently and found these from our trip to California in 2009. I can't believe it's been so long since we visited. This is one of my favorite gardens of all time. Peace and serenity fill this special place. 

One of the things I loved about California was the bougainvillea. I wish we could grow it in Maine, but unfortunately, that will never happen.

I remember this garden was filled with birds. There were birds nesting in the rafters of this veranda and little hummingbirds flitted among the blossoms. 

I loved all the missions we visited on that trip, but Carmel was my favorite.

I hope someday I will be able to visit Carmel Mission Gardens again. 

Flowers in Mallett's Bay Colchester Vermont

On our recent camping trip, our first night was spent at Mallett's Bay Campground on the shores of Lake Champlain in Colchester Vermont. First thing in the morning, we bought coffee at the camp store, then took a walk to see the sights. And what beautiful sights they were.

Near our campground was Bayside Park. This scenic park was nicely landscaped with a pretty garden planted. The park also has a beach on the shore and spectacular views of the bay.

 

A little further down the road we passed the cutest flower shop called A Flower A Day

 

I don't think I've ever seen such a charming little flower shop as this.  

 

 And then we saw apple trees. This one was on the grounds of our campground. The Lake Champlain region has the perfect growing conditions for apples. The cold winters are just right to produce a fine crop.

 

It was with regret we left the pretty town of Colchester, Vermont, but needed to continue on our way to see more beautiful sights in New York state.

Next stop...the Wilder Homestead in Malone, New York.

Autumn Evening Stroll at Mt. Auburn Cemetery

We were lucky to be able to stop by Mt.Auburn Cemetery on a recent day trip to Boston. The Autumn colors were just beginning to show.

Mt. Auburn is a wonderful place for gardeners and birdwatchers to visit. A multitude of horticultural specimens grow on this property, all labeled with informational tags.

Read more about my recent trip to Mt. Auburn here.

Boston's Kelleher Rose Garden in Full Bloom Part 2

A little bit of heaven in the city of Boston....

 Walk the circular path around the fountain, under arches of climbing roses...

 smell beauty in the air...

 swim in a sea of roses...roses at your feet, roses cascading overhead...

The fountain and circular area of the garden was designed in 1930 by Arthur Shurcliff. While no longer functioning, it is a center piece of the garden. Plans for its restoration are in progress.

The rectangular lawn area of the garden was added in 1933.

To read a pamphlet about the garden online click here.



Boston's Kelleher Rose Garden in Full Bloom Part 1

This week my wish came true- we returned to Boston to see the Kelleher Rose Garden in full bloom. At the end of May, we visited but only a few roses were blooming then. Click here to see the garden ready to burst into bloom.

This week, the garden was in its full glory. I felt as though I'd walked into a Victorian painting.  Though my photos can't  capture the real experience, I've posted some for you to enjoy. If you are able to get into Boston soon, don't miss a walk in the rose garden. I'll post more photos over the weekend, so check back.

Gorgeous Gardens: St. Anthony's Franciscan Monastery in Kennebunkport, Maine

Kennebunkport, Maine has many beautiful gardens. One we visit often is St. Anthony's Franciscan Monastery. It tops the list of my favorite places to spend an afternoon.

The monastery grounds, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, are always beautiful. This time of year grand rhodondendrons are in bloom all over the grounds. So, I have posted way too many photos here to share the beauty with you. I couldn't choose just a few.

We are welcomed at the gate with two shades of pink.

 The view of the grotto surrounded in blooms.

 Iris and poppies flower in the main garden.

 A view from the portico.

 This path lined with rhododendrons...

 ...leads to something special just around the corner.

 and along a woodland path, the most precious bloom of all- a lady's slipper.

Woodland paths meander along the river to views of the marina.

 

My photos are only a sampling of the flowers and views from the 66 acre monastery grounds. The monastery is open to the public, so if you are ever in the Kennebunkport area, be sure to stop for a visit.

To see monastery winter photos click here.

To see monastery Autumn photos click here.

To visit the Monastery Guest House website click here.

Mount Auburn Flowers

On our recent trip to Boston, we visited Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I'd seen a New Hampshire Public TV program, Windows To the Wild.  Windows to the Wild is a wonderful local show for those interested in the New England landscape. The host of the show,Willem Lange, toured Mount Auburn Cemetery. Between beautiful vistas, gardens, sculpture, and graves of prominent New Englanders like Mary Baker Eddy, Isabella Stewart Gardner, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Winslow Homer, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, B.F. Skinner and others, I was impressed. I wanted to see it for myself. 

 

 The Rhododendrons and Azaleas were in full bloom-perhaps a little past peak, but still gorgeous.

 We only had time to see just one section of Mount Auburn. We walked through ancient family plots, up and over hills, along woodland trails...

and around ponds. Mount Auburn has several ponds.

We saw chipmunks, rabbits and birds. The hostess at the visitor center told us we might see baby raccoons and owlets if we were lucky.

Someday we'll go back when we have time to see the rest of the property-all 175 acres! To see some of the vistas and sculpture at Mount Auburn, please visit my family blog, Pine Cones and Periwinkles.

Kelleher Rose Garden in Boston Massachusetts

This Memorial Day we headed south to Boston, Massachusetts. Our plan was to attend the Museum of Fine Art open house followed by a visit to the Kelleher Rose Garden. When we arrived, we saw impossibly long lines snaking out the doors, and around the museum. We decided to head across the street to see the Kelleher Rose Garden first, hoping the crowds would die down while we mingled amongst the roses.

 The garden was full of buds almost ready to burst into bloom. 

The garden was first planted in 1930

and has two hundred varieties of roses to enchant visitors.

About 1500 plants live in the garden.

The garden is expected to be in full bloom mid June. The garden is open daily from May through September. If you are in the Boston area, do plan to see this lovely garden. Nearby you will also find the Fenway Victory Gardens, the last remaining WW2 Victory Garden, as well as the War Memorial. The Museum of Fine Arts is across the street.
To see more of our visit to MFA and the Fens, click here to visit my family blog, Pinecones and Periwinkles.

For more information visit The Emerald Necklace Conservancy here.

International Test Rose Garden-Portland

The Portland International Test Rose Garden is located right in the center of the city in Washington Park, which is also the home to the Oregon Zoo, The Japanese Gardens and many of Portland's most popular attractions.

The garden is free to the general public and is located on four acres of land. It is home to 10,000 Roses. Portland is known as the "City of Roses" and even has its own "Rose Festival" and many other smaller Rose gardens around the city. Most Roses start to bloom here from May to June, with many blooming all the way to late fall so there is always something to see here.

Rose beds are long, oblong and pathways are grassy. Warning signs are posted everywhere. Don't even think about picking any of the blooms. There is a $500 fine.

I love the old fashion English Roses. Perhaps they remind me of my English roots. In the house where I grew up, the garden was a formal Rose garden that included Tree Roses.

Pretty in Pink. A mass of lovely pink blooms. As a side note dogs that are leashed are allowed in the garden.

A lovely view of the Rose Garden. There are also a few smaller theme gardens where you will find plants other than Roses. If you are visiting Portland, you must add the Rose Garden to your list of sites to visit.