Gotta Garden

Friday, September 12, 2008

Lewis Ginter in August

As promised, after enjoying Holly Shimizu's presentation, I did go outside to see what early August was like this year at Lewis Ginter.



It's always interesting to see what they've placed in the pots year to year:


This is one of the prettiest views:


Here's what is planted around the frog fountain:


Passion flowers were doing well:


Such an amazing flower to look at up close:


I like to see what they're bordering with:


More containers:


Info on The Healing Garden with pictures to follow:





This looks interesting:


We'll have to look at that container a bit closer:


Another:



Moving along:







I like to look at the long borders:






I'd heard that the Rose Garden had been redone and that it was supposed to marvelous.


I can't begin to tell you how shocked I was to walk upon sweeps of Knockout roses:


All the lovely heirloom or collector type roses were gone. In their place, sweeps of Knockouts or other apparently easy care roses had been installed. It's no longer a rose garden for discoveries or to appreciate classic roses. No, it's now one for what...easy care and photo backgrounds? Later, when I found a notice directing guests to a wedding, I though, "ah ha"....I guess the rose garden needs to earn its keep or better yet, exceed its keep.





I couldn't wait to move on. It really dismayed me. It seemed so unoriginal, so uninspiring. I'm really glad that I got to see the old one last May...it's gone forever.


Another disappointment, along this very shady border were struggling daylilies. One would guess they were planted when more sun was available, before trees and shrubs filled in. Now, the daylilies, dutifully marked, were little blades of grass...one last gasp before they die out. Doesn't anybody realize they need to be moved??


Apparently not. But, anyway, the shade areas are still interesting.



If ever I needed the tranquility of the Japanese Garden, it was now. Many times I've photographed this exact spot. It's just so lovely.







Love the contrast of colors here...and it's not even Fall....yet...



Another favorite check in spot is looking at their Japanese Maple Waterfall....to see where mine is headed:


As always, my time runs our here and I need to start the trek back home. Gardens are always changing, just like people. You still love them, even though you may not like every aspect about them. One last look before we head out:

6 comments:

Les said...

Thanks for the tour. It has been too many seasons since I was at Ginter. I hope to get there soon, but in the mean time I enjoyed your photos.

Anonymous said...

Lovely photos! We have a page on Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on GardenVisit.com at www.gardenvisit.com/garden/lewis_ginter_botanical_garden - if you zoom in on the location map you can see much of the layout of the garden on the satellite image - the Conservatory, Sunken Garden and Four Seasons Garden.

Colleen Wms said...

Funny. We've been in Central VA 5 years now and only visited Lewis Ginter for the first time this past July. Although I'm an avid gardener, with 2 little children, some things have had to wait.
I have to say that I was in awe and am inspired by the all white roses in the rose garden display I saw when we were there. I never saw the others you speak of but I loved this one.
LG is nice but we still much prefer our trips to Longwood Gardens and Winterthur usually in late April in the Brandywine Valley (So PA/No DE).
Have you ever been up to the Dupont properties?

Gotta Garden said...

Hi Les: Time does get away from us. I think I've only been twice this year (unusual for me), but will probably be there tomorrow to drop off daylilies for the plant sale. Thanks for coming over!

Hello Colleen: Yeah, it's just a different kind of rose garden now...I've been to Longwood twice, in the fall both times...I need to make a trip in the spring, I think...Longwood is one of the gardens on Penelope Hobhouse's dvd and she's there in spring...Now, Winterthur is still on my list. There's a chance I may get there this fall when my DH plays in a handball tournament, but who knows. I'm hoping!

I think one of my very favorite gardens is Chanticleer. Which reminds me. I never did finish my little series....a project for this winter, I suppose...so many pictures, so little time.

Thanks so much for coming by...I could talk gardens and gardening all day!

Thoughts on Life and Millinery. said...

I had no idea passion flowers could be grown as a hedge. I've always seen them in vines!

And I photographed a white one once. Absolutely yummy!

And I'm with Colleen...Longwood is a knock out!

Now that I live in Salt Lake City, Red Butte gardens will be my rave fave garden to visit.

Anonymous said...

Hi Gotta Garden!

Thanks for sharing Lewis Ginter in August. I went in early summer. I, too, was very disappointed with the redo of the roses area. I loved the overhanging roses they had previously. Sigh... Great photos and great tour of the gardens; thanks for reporting!

Cindy, www.cindydyer.wordpress.com

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