The first day of December and the Gardens remain open, though few people walk its paths. Other than the few oak leaves still clinging to their trees, and some roses and primulas which continue to bloom in spite of the lateness of the season, the rest of the gardens have settled into winter dormancy.There is still beauty to behold, a testament to good garden design. Evergreen plants and trees put on a varied display of color and texture, the naked shapes of defoliated trees draw one to admire their contorted limbs, and exfoliating bark blazes streaks of color in the grey surroundings. Today is the last day to enjoy these gifts of nature. At dusk, the Gardens will be closing after a glorious (though slow starting) season.
Representing the circle of life, Christmas wreaths are traditionally made of evergreens to celebrate the victory of life through darkness and challenge. The beautiful wreath Glen made hangs on the main gates, heralding the festive season.
Phoenix rising! Flora is very excited to see me. I think she's lonely. As soon as I arrived at the fence both she and Finegan came over for a chat.
True to the axially symmetrical design Richard Power chose for the Gardens, this huge clump of Rhododendrons are mirrored on the other side of the bandstand.
The last of a dying breed. It's December 1 and there are still some Rosas (roses) and Primulas blooming in the Gardens in spite of the snow we experienced last week. We should all be so hardy!
Exfoliating bark on this Acer griseum (Paperbark maple) add interest and color to the bed by the ladies washroom.
It’s cold and damp, and getting harder to find inspiration, so I decide to head for the greenhouses belonging to the Gardens. I am privileged to have access behind the scenes. The next time the Public Gardens host an open house, you too can get a taste of the tropics.
It may be grey and lifeless outside, but inside the display house at the gardens things are humming along.
Just a little tease for those of us lucky enough to be going to the tropics soon... Brazil anyone?
The aptly named birds of paradise (Strelitzia)!
The "buena noche" (Christmas Eve) plant became a Christmas tradition after a miracle, which occurred when a poor Mexican girl's offering of a weed bouquet on Christmas eve turned into the flowers we know today as Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima). It is actually a small tree or large shrub in its native Mexico.
Along the Gardens path... 