Signs of Spring

This is an exciting time of year in my Southern California garden.

I planted new bareroot roses two week ago. I chose shades of pink, lavender, fuschia, and purple and I removed an old yellow rose that I no longer enjoyed. I had several gardeners recommend this rose "Perfume Delight." I will photograph this for you when it blooms.

Some of my roses are peeking out, and will be in full bloom probably by next week.

I found evidence all over my roses that they preparing for a colorful spring. I see life popping out everywhere.





My azaleas are in bloom, and are especially pretty right now.

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)

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 Etruscan antiquities. Even more wonderful, we learned a bit of history. A big lesson from my daughter, as she loudly pointed out, "Look, it's real live mummy mommy!" Quite frankly, that was the first time I saw a 2000+ year old mummy up close and personal, and I found it as thrilling as she did.



The tickets are free. You simply make reservations online, or by phone, arrive on the date the tickets are reserved, and pay $10 for parking. It's a great way to spend your day. Enjoy.



For more information and tickets, visit:
http://www.getty.edu/visit/

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 her garden looks like an artist lives there. She changes out her flowers seasonally, and I noticed yesterday, that she's popped in a few snapdragons. When I get a chance, I'll snap a few shots of them for you to view.

If you click the title above, it will take you to my Flickr set, which gives a little tour through Maryam's garden.

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 few complimentary flowers to create texture and beauty in your garden!

Fall in Southern California

The Color Purple, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

Southern California suffers from overcrowding, and here's the reason. Fall in California comes shades of purple...



...fading pink hydrangeas...

...and seashells lying about in your cottage garden...

But before you move here, ask yourself, can you handle the traffic, the multi-cultural diversity, and the expense. I moved away once, briefly, and I don't think I'll do that again. Yes, I'll stop my whining, and stay right where I am. Southern California is a gardener's paradise.

Peggy's Garden

My friend Marilyn, introduced me to her sister Peggy, an avid gardener, a few years ago. Peggy is incredibly creative, and her garden is so inspiring to visit. I had the good fortune of being invited over for lunch in Peggy's magnificent cottage garden, and she allowed me the privilege to photograph and share it with you.

Peggy's Garden, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

Peggy raised boys which left little time, or space, for gardening. She kept her backyard pretty barren, so they could play basketball.

After they graduated, a family member asked if they could have a wedding at her house. This sparked a new beginning for Peggy, and her passion for gardening soon blossomed. Here's a sprinkling of photographs from her lovely cottage garden. If you click the title above, I've attached a link to my Flickr page, with more photographs of her lovely garden. Enjoy!

A Roadside Garden

While driving, and following my navigator to a Chinese restaurant one day, I stumbled upon this gorgeous roadside garden.   I suspect it was started when someone sprinkled seeds there in the springtime.  It was filled with zinnias, daisies, cosmos and more.   

I think I'll try this seed sprinkling garden experiment next year. I have the perfect patch of soil, right beside my driveway. Hopefully I'll get the same stunning results.