Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

Here's a little music to accompany this poinsettia. It's Elvis, who I think is the rockin King of Christmas music!

Merry' Christmas Baby ~ Elvis
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtjY3X-8JVE

Indian Hawthorn

Indian Hawthorn, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

Warmth for the Soul

Warmth for the Soul, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

“See how nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence...we need silence to be able to touch souls.” ~ Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Surrounded by Beauty

Surrounded by Beauty, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

Beauty before me, I walk with.
Beauty behind me, I walk with.
Beauty above me, I walk with.
Beauty below me, I walk with.
Beauty all around me, I walk with.
Navajo Night Chant

The day after a rainstorm in California is quite spectacular. These flowers seemed to enjoy sunning themselves, although the temperature is certainly cooler now.

Finding Beauty

Fading Beauty, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.

~Anne Frank

Honoring Nature's Beauty

Honoring Nature's Beauty, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

It is good to realize that if love and peace can prevail on earth, and if we can teach our children to honor nature's gifts, the joys and beauties of the outdoors will be here forever. ~ Jimmy Carter

The Orchid

An Orchid for Angela, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

Orchids are known for their timeless beauty, but did you know they coexisted with dinosaurs? While researching bee pollen, from bees found trapped in amber 15 to 20 million years old, scientists discovered orchid taxon on their fossilized wings. Essentially, orchids truly are timeless.

Camellia

Camelia, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

The Camellia is a wonderful plant, with Asian origins. I had quite the history lesson on these delicate beauties when I took the Tram tour at Descanso Garden in La Canada, Flintridge (California.) They have the largest Camellia Garden in Southern California. A must see if you're looking for a garden to visit.

Elizabeth, the Queen Mother grew Camellia in all of her gardens. As her body was taken from Royal Lodge, Windsor to lie in state at Westminster Hall of the Palace of Westminster, a Camellia from her gardens was placed on top of the flag-draped coffin. (from Wikipedia)

Cyclamen

Friday I'm in Love, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

Everywhere I go in Southern California, I see cyclamen planted in beds and borders. Until I decided to take gardening more seriously, I used to kill every cyclamen I met. It was accidental of course, as I followed my idea that plants like lots of sun and water. WRONG!

This plant likes shade, and minimal water, as to avoid root rot. That's because they originate from dark, densely covered, dry forests. They come in various shades from white, fuschia, pink and ever variagated colors. I found these cyclamen in Roger's Garden. If you ever visit California, this is a gardening store you don't want to miss.

Roger's Gardens
2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd
Corona del Mar, California 92625
949-640-5800
Toll Free @ 1.800.647.2356