Descanso Gardens Gift Shop

I recently visited Descanso Gardens. It's a real pleasure to look around their gift shop. I found these lovely roses, made from shaved wood. If you click the title above, it will take you directly to the Gift Shop. Have fun.

In memory of Florence...

I think we should look forward to death more than we do. Of course everybody hates to go to bed or miss anything but dying is really the only chance we'll get to rest.
~ Florynce Kennedy


I was informed today that my lovely gardening teacher and neighbor "Florence" (not the author above) died peacefully in her sleep yesterday. She was 95 and a half. She lived a life filled with incredible beauty. An avid gardener, and photographer, she was a lovely friend and mentor. I will miss her, but I celebrate her wonderful life and peaceful passing. May we all live and die so gracefully.
RIP Florence - September 1, 1913 to February 9, 2009

Look at what's blooming in my garden!

...and for a brief moment, the weatherman thought it might snow in L.A., but it didn't. I did read that daffodil's love cool weather though.

Cheers to Spring, it's on it's way!

I planted wildflowers seeds in my garden. I touched up the blank spots in my yard with grass seed, dirt and fertilizer. I planted new roses. Now my back hurts, for real! I suppose I was surely working.

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.

It is easier to get forgiveness than permission. ~ Stuart's Law of Retroaction

While practicing macro flower shots, I photographed a small orange flower, on a shrub. This flower is actually quite insignificant to the larger plant. I was amazed at the ability to enlarge such a small flower.


This is the same flower edited using layers and changing the colors.

It is easier to get forgiveness than permission., originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

I decided to create some "Warhol-ish" images, with this flower. Here are two of them.

Faded Hydrangeas

Thank you Amanda!, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

Quote for the day:
To obtain a man's opinion of you, make him mad.
Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809 - 1894)

"Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler"

The quote by ~ Albert Einstein

"Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler" ~ Albert Einstein, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

These flowers are the are the "Summer Snowflake" or Loddon Lily (Leucojum aestivum)

Here's the wikipedia link if you want more information. Apparently they don't care that it's winter in California.

I found them under a tree at Descanso Gardens, in La Canada / Flintridge, California.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leucojum

"Any man can lose his hat in a fairy-wind."

"Any man can lose his hat in a fairy-wind.", originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

I found these magical magnolias at The Huntington Botanical Gardens, in California.

"Faeries, come take me out of this dull world, For I would ride with you upon the wind, Run on the top of the disheveled tide, And dance upon the mountains like a flame." ~ William Butler Yeats, "The Land of Heart's Desire," 1894

Simple Gifts

Simple Gifts, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

This title was inspired by the music at today's historic inauguration.

The rose is layered with an oil texture, and was found in the Descanso Gardens, rose garden.

Here's the Inaugural performance of "Simple Gifts" on youtube, or you can click the title above and it will take you directly there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02Ao9jyq5Vk

Winter Blooming Cherry Tree ~ Prunus subhirtella

Happy Martin Luther King Day, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

I visited Descanso Gardens during the winter season. I was surprised to learn, while walking through the roses, that there is a Winter Blooming Cherry Tree. Interestingly, in researching this delicate beauty, it is a difficult tree to own. You must find the perfect spot, give it meticulous care, and care for it constantly as it is disease prone.

Descanso Gardens had it located in a sunny spot in the rose garden. Amidst the barren roses, it stood out in all it's glory. For sure, this was my find of the day while visiting this lovely garden.