Thursday, January 31, 2013

Gardens Etc.

Despite my winter torpor, I am thinking about gardens.

We are leaving for Florida in two days, and somehow this sunshiny future has inspired in me a burning desire to renovate our garden.  So I've been ordering gardening books left and right, and scheming over colours and textures.

This got me thinking that I failed to post about my mother's visit this past September and our idyllic visit to the inimitable Butchart Gardens in Victoria, where both my aunt and dear friend M. live.

To whet your appetite, here is a view of the sunken garden, which was once a quarry:
I think this might be what heaven looks like.

The rose garden was a treat, as I always visit in spring and it's not in bloom.  This time it was in bountiful bloom and simply perfect and romantic:

One of my favorite gardens is this little English garden, which is often overlooked, as I think it's only visible from the restaurant:
Sorry it's overexposed - it was sooo bright that afternoon...not the best for photography!

Speaking of restaurants, here we are enjoying lunch on the veranda of the Dining Room Restaurant.

This is my lovely and amazing Mom (left), and my dear friend M.(who is travelling in India right now):

And this is me:

The menu was lovely and simple, and the food was divine:


I had the mushroom bisque and the caesar salad.  It was as good as it looks:

The gardens are heavenly.
The dahlia garden is insane - it goes on and on and on, a riot of colour:

And there are giant sunflowers, which I always find very funny:

There are also lovely ponds, surrounded by dreamy trees and flowers:


If I lived in Victoria, I would buy an annual pass to this astounding garden.

Hope your winter is not too grey and this helped to brighten your day!

Love, T.
  

23 comments:

  1. You look so lovely in that photo. What camera did you use? Wow those photos look fabulous of that garden. Yes definitely heaven looks like that. Wow! Beautiful. Have fun in Florida dear.
    God bless, may you be headache free.
    xoxo
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  2. I do live in Victoria and I have an annual pass to the gardens. I love visiting at any time of year - there's always something to admire. September is an amazing month for all the riotous dahlias!
    Loved seeing these photos of home as we're in the USA for a few days.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lorrie - thought of you as I posted this. I think it's my 3rd Butchart post. It never disappoints and it was nice to visit in mid-September as I'd never been at that time of year. You are right, I don't think I'd ever witnessed those dahlias before. Insane!!!

      And the roses were doing quite a show, unlike in Feb or April when I am usually here - haha.

      Hope your US trip is fun!
      xo Terri

      Delete
  3. A lovely outing! Really beautiful gardens, Terri. Dahlias and sunflowers are always so happy and cheerful. Someday I want to grow dahlias. I'd love to have the huge plate sized flowers :)
    Good luck in Florida. Have a wonderful trip!!
    xo
    Loi

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow, those gardens are AMAZING! Lovely photo of you, too. Good luck on your visit to Florida. I hope you get some good results.
    Claudia

    ReplyDelete
  5. This post made me go "ahhhhhhhhhh" as we are in the depths of winter here in Ontario and everything is so drab. This was a lovely reminder that spring and summer will be back again...and I'll be impatiently waiting! :) Wishing you the best on your trip.

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  6. Terri,
    This is an amazing garden. We had a visit long ago and I can see it is even better now. Enjoy sunny warm Florida and best of luck with the consult.

    ReplyDelete
  7. All my best for your trip to Florida!
    I am on my way to Vancouver to Maria Killams colour class again and a few days of r and r that I so truly need... thanks for posting those gardens, I think we all need to see what summer is about this time of year... look forward to your posts on how your trip went and getting together for coffee in 2013 xxx Carol Anne

    ReplyDelete
  8. We love going to Butchart Gardens and went to see the Christmas lights and displays this year. They do a lovely afternoon tea in the Blue Poppy Room...your visit looks like it was on a beautiful day and oh that bisque looks delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Adore your blog. The photos are spectacular! I love English gardens too. I feel there is an organically structured ease to them.
    Have fun on your trip!
    Cortne

    ReplyDelete
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