A Walk through Cheekwood - Happy Easter!

Come take a walk with me as I take in the flowers blooming in the Robert Ellis Color Garden at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens. This gorgeous garden was adorned with red and yellow Tulips in every size and variety that the landscapers could possibly imagine.

Visitors may have surrounded me as I meandered along the garden path, but it was as though I were totally alone in the universe, as I took in every vibrant red and stunning yellow Tulip popped open with sunshine diving deep into its inner beauty.

The deep reds and yellows were laden with black centers and large stamens. The varieties of Tulips was astounding with single and double and even peony shaped Tulips all around.

Oh, Cheekwood how you out did yourself on this glorious Bloom Fest celebration.

Every Spring I attempt to capture the beauty of the Crepe Myrtles as they stand sentinel keeping a watchful eye over the stunning blooms around them.

Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinths, Jonquils, Petunias. Thank you Cheekwood for a glorious Bloom Fest. I take my hat off to you!!

I wish each and every one of you a very peaceful and Happy Easter. May your day be filled with sunshine and bright blue skies. And may all the wonders of Easter surround you. Whether it be chocolate bunnies and dyed eggs or a sit down feast of scrumptious baked ham with all the trimmings, I wish everyone peace and joy on this glorious day of Resurrection. ENJOY!

The Meaning of a Purple Rose

As I walked around the Atlanta Botanical Gardens recently, I almost walked right past this bush of purple Roses. But I stopped short of passing them by, looked closely and thought how gorgeous they were. If only I had taken more images. There were so many people milling about that I didn't want to disrupt anyone so I snapped a few quick images and moved on.

The purple Rose signifies enchantment. Should you receive a purple Rose from another it supposedly means they have fallen in love with you at first sight. I knew the different colors of Roses had different meanings, but this was one I didn't know until now. How charming is that. Fall is going to pass us by here shortly and the weather is going to move right into Winter, but not quite yet. We do, however, have a hard warning tonight. I hope wherever you are you are enjoying the beautiful Fall colors. ENJOY!

Dog Days, Bernheim Arboretum

Summer is winding down here in Mid America. Already there is a chill in the air at night. As I headed out of Louisville this past weekend, I stopped for a brief visit at Bernheim.

Many of Summer's blooms have already waned, but there were still a few flowers hanging on all around the Pavilion. Bumble Bees were swarming a long row of bushes along the walkway leading away from the Pavilion. Supposedly, this is the Seven Son flower. I don't remember seeing it in bloom in Summers' past. The Bumble Bees were all over the blooms like maniacs.

My niece's wedding went off without a hitch. The newlyweds are in Jamaica this week on their Honeymoon. Fortunately, Hurricane Danny hasn't posed a threat. And I don't believe the hurricane that's tracking right behind Danny will either as it seems to be taking the same path as Danny and will no doubt head up the Eastern seaboard. Hope you are having a great week. It's been in the mid eighties here in Nashville this week with very low humidity and I am so very, very grateful. I'm also off deadline and hoping to get out later this week and take a few more images. ENJOY!

Late Fall Calicarpa Berries

As Fall approaches each year, I find these beautiful purple berries hanging off the stems of large bushes in Bernheim's Arboertum. Yet, I had never really Googled to find out what they are called. Earlier this week I was 'archive surfing' and found this photo I had captured in late Fall. Immediately I knew it would make for a great image to pair up with a Winter quote. After Googling I discovered these are Calicarpa Berries.

The bushes are best known in Asia, but are found in Australia and in North America. I didn't realize it, but the berries last well into Winter. All I really know is I love their hue. It is so warm and inviting and finding the perfect quotation to add to the image by John Steinbeck was so fitting. We have snow coming across from the Western states here in the United States moving East this week. It will get to Kentucky on Friday night and Saturday. I hope wherever you are you are staying warm and cozy. So far this Winter has been very very mild which only makes me wonder what February will bring. ENJOY!

Autumn Color

As I venture outdoors to take in the foliage of early Autumn, the beautiful ornamental colors of the season greet me. The familiar reds and oranges and yellows surround me with every twist and turn in my day. Everywhere we are inundated with orange pumpkins, bright yellow mums and maple trees laden with scarlet red leaves. Yet, every once in a while our travels find us face to face with a much warmer, cooler hue of soft purple, almost lavender.



While visiting the artists' shops in Nashville, Indiana, a few weeks ago, I happened upon these beautiful ornamental cabbages growing near a walkway, virtually hidden by the side of a shop. The large leaves, one overlapping the next, was the perfect setting.



The cabbage's soft green and the faintest purple hues spoke to me as I captured their mere existence, while most people passed by not noticing the beauty that lay there. Did you notice the speckles of cream sprayed across each leaf as though an artist had painted a texture on a canvas.



Last Autumn while walking among the gardens at Yew Dell, I captured several images of this feathery bush with its branches moving softly in the cool breeze. The slightest hint of lavender seemed to come forth from the bright sunshine, yet in the shade fluffy branches waif with the palest blush pink, bringing the bush to life and lending it an almost heavenly feel.



Before I left the gardens at Yew Dell, I spotted a cacti growing near a small sculpture. What I really love about this setting wasn't the cacti, but the beautiful deep purple buds. With Autumn winding down, dried leaves had come to rest in the cacti intermingling between the bulbs and the cacti leaves, adding another dimension to the setting.



Finally, before leaving Yew Dell's gardens, I took a stroll near the Arboretum with its many variety of trees. I looked up to see bright purple berries hanging off the branch of a tree, each berry glistening in the bright sun. My Autumn was complete.

Every season I travel to Nashville's artist community in Indiana, and to Yew Dell Gardens in Kentucky, and more frequently, to Bernheim Arboretum near my home. Visiting these gorgeous settings throughout this particular season, I seek to find Autumn's most unusual displays of color in an effort to capture each one and bring it to you in my images for you to lavish in. This weekend is the annual St. James Court Art Fair, one of the largest in the United States. I hope I can get by there and bring back some images to share with you if time allows and the weather cooperates. I HOPE YOU ENJOY!

Varigated Hydrangea

Oh my how I love Hydrangeas, but this one in particular was absolutely gorgeous. This particular Hydrangea bush was blooming next to a black wrought iron fence that surrounded the tiny Visitor Center at Saugatuck, Michigan's downtown harbor area.

And even more beautiful...

I don't even have to ask if you agree. Surely, you must. Have a lovely Labor Day weekend all. Stay safe and if you are having a heat wave such as we are in Kentucky, stay cool. ENJOY!