Friday, November 28, 2008

Orchids

Orchids , originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.I do believe Roger's Garden has the best orchid displays I have ever seen. It's a gardener / photographers paradise there. Click the title, and the link will take you to their website. When I saw the distant orange wall behind these orchids, I couldn't believe my eyes. I knew that wall would be the perfect backdrop for these amazing flowers.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Perfectly Imperfect

Perfectly Imperfect, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.“They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds.” ~ Winston Churchill (Happy Birthday - November 30, 1874)Out for a walk along the horse trail, I found my favorite rose, "Pierre de Ronsard," having a restful Thanksgiving.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Mauretius Floses Flower

Deliver these roses to your sweetheart and let these fresh rose flowers express your feelings in the best way possible.

Fresh Flower

Flowers are designed to be delivered as close to the arrangement pictured as possible.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Purple Orchids

Purple Orchid, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.I finally made my way to Roger's Garden, in Corona Del Mar, California. The flowers, plants and displays were even more breath-taking than my gardening friends had described. Imagine one entire room filled with purple orchids!!!I'll be making numerous posts here with my finds. Here's the website, if your want directions, hours, and more

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Even nature is thinking of the upcoming holidays...

Berry-okeh, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.I spotted these gorgeous berries today, and couldn't resist taking their photos. I feel this is nature saying, the holidays are coming. Are you ready?

Monday, November 17, 2008

God gave us memories so we might have roses in December. ~ J.M. Barrie

God gave us memories so we might have roses in December. ~ J.M. Barrie, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.My brandy hybrid tea rose is blooming again. In January, I will trim all of my roses carefully, and leave them with no fertilizer for the month. This dormant spell lets them rest and prepare for spring. I also plan to change out my less productive roses. I'm in the mood for showier roses

Sunday, November 16, 2008

"Gather the rose of love whilst yet is time." - Edmund Spenser

"Gather the rose of love whilst yet is time." - Edmund Spenser, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.These roses came from my neighbor's garden. She's 95 and her family had to put her in an assisted living home. They gave me some of the roses from her garden, and these are my favorite. If I discover their name, I will let you know.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Pink Roses

Rose with Texture, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.Okay, I'll admit it. I can't stop taking photos of pretty pink roses. They are my all time favorite thing to photograph. I'm also in love with the color pink. I've been told that my signature color must be pink. If that's true, then the pink rose is my signature flower!According to this article (linked to the title above) their primary

Friday, November 14, 2008

Garden Bunnies Rock!

Garden Bunny, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.I wanted to share an absolutely adorable garden bunny with you. I found this is Frank's garden. (see entries for October 14 and 15 for more photos from his garden)

Thursday, November 13, 2008

The Science of Flowers and Feelings

While channel-surfing a few weeks ago, I happened across an interview with one of those famous-for-being-famous gals. Having had a bad year, she was asked what she does when she needs cheering up. With a straight face, she replied that she had a drink (or three!) It got me thinking: with the times being what they are, and everyone having multiple worries, isn't this exactly when flowers are

Bougainvillea

Flowers are Red, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.This beautiful bougainvillea lives in my coastal Southern California neighborhood. It lines paths, fences, and driveways throughout. After researching this plants history, I found an article that is superbly written. Instead of giving you second hand information, click the title above, and you'll be taken to the article. Here is the web

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Plumbago

Plumbago, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.I've been paying lots of attention to the plumbago, lining the walking trails in my Southern California neighborhood lately. It has delicate blue flowers, and creates a stunning ground cover. Need a delicate hedge in your shade garden? Look no further. This South African native comes in shades of light blue and white. Butterflies flock to this

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The Getty Malibu Villa

A Good Day, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.If you enjoy visiting beautiful public gardens, Los Angeles has an array of garden hot spots. If you're looking for an activity, possibly, the word "garden" might not immediately come to mind when you think of "The Getty Malibu Villa," but it should.Not only does the Getty have a wonderfully relaxing and beautiful garden, it has Greek, Italian and

Monday, November 10, 2008

Echinacea

Echinacea, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes. Echinacea, or the Purple Coneflower, is a popular perennial amongst gardeners and photographers. I personally have this on my "add to my garden list." I've tried several times to start it from seed, and I tried scattering the seeds about my garden. I clearly didn't give it the care it needs, as I didn't have luck growing this flower. If you want

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Pink Violets and how I grow them

Many people like to have african violets sitting on their kitchen windowsill, maybe because of indirect sunrays and because they are easy to grow indoors. They can make any corner brighter, and I have my violets on a small table in my balcony. I have created many new pots over the years just by leaf cuttings and I have never propagated them by seed! Each leaf I cut and plant in damp soil grows

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Disneyland Floribunda Rose

Sleeping Beauty's Castle holds the center stage spot at Disneyland. Look closely at the rose photos, and you'll see the castle's reflection delicately floating in the water. Surrounding the castle, and throughout the park, you will find the Disneyland Rose. Bred in the US in 2003, it has a soft fragrance, and a lovely pink and orange tones.

The Sweet Smell of....Perfume?

The word 'perfume' comes from the Latin per fume, meaning "through smoke". The first scents were burned much like incense, and thus the aroma arrived "through the smoke". The Egyptians invented glass and the perfume bottle was the first use of glass, around 1000BC. Jumping ahead to 17th century France, perfumed gloves were popular, making it easier to mask the unpleasant scents of rotting

Friday, November 7, 2008

Disney Garden Accents

Thumper Love, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.Disneyland not only positions their flowers beautifully, they have wonderful garden statues throughout the park. Thumper, pictured here, lives on the rock wall surround Aurora's castle. He's admiring the beautifully blooming trees.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

A Sea of Beautiful Flowers

A Sea of Beautiful Flowers, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.As a California resident, I have an annual pass to Disneyland. Having the opportunity to go there often, sometimes several times in one week, I've come to appreciate the hard work the Disney Gardening Fairies do. I say that jokingly of course, as you never seen anyone working on the gardens during the day. I suspect they come out at

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Mexican Marigolds

Mexican Marigolds, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.Meet my favorite California fall flower, the Mexican Marigold. I first discovered this plant while visiting "The Living Desert" in Palm Springs. They sell their plants near the exit, and I wanted a plant that would thrive in a California Garden. They told me this plant was a wonderful, flowering plant, and that it was a California

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Art Nouv-OH!

I've always loved jewelry. Gold, silver, precious or costume, I love it all. Recently, the Boston Museum of Art launched a beautiful exhibit of Art Nouveau and Art Deco jewelry, popularized at the turn of the last century. Oooooo! And wouldn't you know it...many of the pieces include flowers in their design!Rene Lalique was the most renowned of the Art Nouveau artists. His large pieces were often

Monday, November 3, 2008

Pacific View

Pacific View, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.These roses live in front of a white picket fence, and they have an ocean view. In this garden, there are roses of every shade, and you can tell they are well loved. They bloom like roses who have a true gardener looking after them. I've passed them by many times, thinking I should bring my camera. Today, I did.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Maryam's Cottage Garden

Southern California has the perfect weather for year round gardening. It's not uncommon to find lovely cottage gardens scattered about town. My neighbor Maryam has a stunning cottage garden, complete with Shabby Chic accents, and a red vintage watering can. Pink, Purple & Green, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes. These are Maryam's window box flowers. She studied Art History at Loyola, and

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Grandpa's Garden

There is no more spectacular garden in my neighborhood, in my opinion, than Grandpa's Garden.  Grandpa is not my grandpa, just an elderly gardener, with the prettiest cosmos I think I've ever seen.He's incredibly friendly, and chit chats with anyone who walks by while he's gardening.Start these plants from seed if you want to see prettier healthier flowers! And remember, mix it up a little with a