Saturday, October 29, 2005

A Closer View.

This morning I thought I'd try some close-ups. As you can see, the results are variable. Lots more practice and understanding of the instruction book needed.

Malus (Crab Apple) blossom with friend. Posted by Picasa


Abutilons (Chinese Lantern) Posted by Picasa

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Irises. Posted by Picasa

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Ranunculus and butterfly. Posted by Picasa


What would we do without Centranthus/Valerian? Richard would say, "Quite a lot!" Posted by Picasa


White Osteospermum, orange Arctotis, with a once variegated Abelia in the background. Posted by Picasa


This beautiful Acer Palmatum 'Seiryu' should be about 4 times its current size but it's been suffering from 'dieback' for years and we've had to keep cutting off branches in an effort to get below the disease. It's now only 1 metre high and wide and the branches are coming out of the trunk almost at ground level. We are not very hopeful of saving it. Posted by Picasa


Tanya, it's still alive and flowering although few buds this year. Probably needs a jolly good feed after all these years. Posted by Picasa


It's a shame that I can't arrange flowers. My florist daughter, ShellyC, would never make an arrangement like this and then have to put it on the floor to photograph it. Posted by Picasa

13 comments:

Maureen said...

Ooooh, can I join in the cherry tomato race with you and Chloe?!!! Mine are much bigger, but still green and I have loads on my only plant. I can't seem to get any more going, they seem to wither and die as soon as I plant them out.

Sandy said...

Too bad about your japanese maple Alice. It is such a nice variety. When I loose a perennial it is no big deal but to lose that little tree would be a big bummer!

Britt-Arnhild said...

Wow, great garden blog. I live in Norway but have a son in Australia.

sonia a. mascaro said...

Gorgeous pictures, Alice! Your garden is a lovely dream! You have fairy hands!

Missy said...

Alice, what wonderful flowers! I am an acrylic painter and would love permission to use some of your photographs as inspiration. Please view my painting on my blog, "Walking Fine Art's Gallery", and then decide. I am in awe of your green thumb. Absolutely amazing.

P.S. I can't grow them so I paint them. :)

Diana LaMarre said...

Beautiful! I especially like the Ranunculus.

Erica said...

lovely garden and your closeup photography is great, better results than I'm getting with my digital, maybe I should read my instruction book some more :)

OldRoses said...

Your flowers are lovely! I've been trying to grow Chinese Lanterns for years with no success. Are they difficult to grow from seed? I can't arrange flowers either, so I leave them in the garden.

Judypatooote said...

Your pictures are beautiful...It's amazing the beauty over there. It's funny about reading instructions.....I always just plow right in, and when I get stuck go to the instructions...and realize I should have done that right in the beginning....lol You really do have a green thumb...My mom had that green thumb...she started every bush and rose bush in her yard, with root tone and a fruitjar.....When 87 she still was out on her hands and knees weeding. Beautiful post Alice...

sueeeus said...

Your garden is inspirational - all of it. The view from your home is magical as well. It's simply gorgeous. Thank you for the kind things you posted to my blog. It's very heartwarming the way the goodness of people is shared, all over the world.

Stuart said...

You'd have to be happy with those results. Not only are the pictures great but you're garden material is excellent. Well done.

Calidore said...

Ohhh check out the bearded Iris. Absolutely stunning. I know I have said it before, but please come and garden for me. Your photos a great. Practice makes perfect - maybe that's why I take so many. Now just to start posting as many as you. Love the garden. Keep up the wonderful work.

Boxwood Cottage said...

Such beautiful flowers! I love the Iris, the Centranthus, the Malus, the Ranunculus, I'd like to come over and get myself a big bouquet from your garden!