Spring is in the air and gardeners anxiously await the first blooms in the garden. To boost my enthusiasm, I peruse the volumes of garden photos that I've taken in the springtime—my own garden as well as those that I have visited.
I always find myself studying the hundreds of photos that I took at
Claude Monet's gardens at Giverny, France in May 2009.
Are you ready for more Monet?
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Monet's Gardens at Giverny, France
The Clos Normand, May 2009. |
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| Looking through a veil of purple. |
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The beautiful Tamarisk tree
(can be invasive in some areas). |
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| Perfectly planted in pink. |
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Lawn and garden merge.
No doubt the foliage of spent daffodils in the grass. |
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| Another Monet moment? |
We're returning to France in April 2011. Monet's gardens in early April will be filled with tulips and other spring bulbs. Will we take the train out of Paris for a return trip?
Sometimes seeing less can reveal more—as in the bones or structure of a garden that may be hidden behind the billowing blooms in peak season.
I may be ready for another Monet moment.
I can never get enough of this garden. I hope to see it in person one day.
ReplyDeletePhillip -- you should go. May was perfect. I don't think there will be as much in April since they open on April 1. We are going on vacation early this year since Richard has so many bluegrass gigs to play in May.
ReplyDeleteFantastic Photos! I love Giverny. If you have time, also visit Richard the Lion-Hearted Fortress which is maybe 7 miles away, give or take. Les Andelys.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos! Love them all, but especially the purple allium and wallflower? honesty?
ReplyDeleteHave a great trip!
I love your pictures of Giverny. I would love to visit Monet's garden. He was the first artist that I fell in love with many years ago. Carla
ReplyDeleteBeth - we won't be taking a car up to Giverny, but I'll look into that suggestion. I've not heard about it on Slow Travel. Hope you're doing well. I didn't realize that your blog wasn't in my blogroll -- Travel. See. Do. has been added to Writers and Others.
ReplyDeleteCarla - visiting Monet's garden in bloom is like stepping into a painting. Seriously -- GO!
Lovely photos, Cameron. Who can not enjoy another Monet moment. Your garden is also beautiful.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your visit to France. It won't be long now before April is here!
It's a beautiful garden Freda! I so want to visit there...Seeing its bones in April could be a nice and I think we are also ready for another Monet moment. gail
ReplyDeleteCarolyn and Gail --
ReplyDeleteThis trip to France will be even more special because we're connecting with "virtual" friends there, just as garden bloggers do.
In Paris, we're meeting up with an American who has been living there for over 20 years-- along with a few other "Slow Travelers" who will be in Paris at the same time.
In Provence, we're going to the winery owned by a Frenchman and his American wife. His wife, Kristin Espinasse, writes the "French Word-a-Day" blog, books and also for BonjourParis.
Freda
Freda! Oh my I am speechless! I fell in love with Monet's garden when I visited in 2009.I find myself looking at the photos I myself took while visiting the gardens.Can you pack me into your suitcase and take me with you!!
ReplyDeleteHow I long to return to France and to walk these peaceful gardens again!
Thank you for my bit of a walk down a sacred space in Giverny!
Thank you for coming to Nature Trail and giving me a nudge to get back to your blog. While here in the southwest I have very little time for visiting. You know what it's like when one travels.
hugs Anna
Those gardens are so inspiring, hope you take tons of photos of them this April. :)
ReplyDeleteI know April can't come soon enough for you, Freda! Your blog will look fabulous with 'more Monet'! I'll be looking forward to your posts and photos! Have a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteCameron,
ReplyDeleteI might have to sneak into your luggage when you go to France :)
The rain is lovely isn't it. We just had coffee on the porch watching it rain. Please let me know when those bluegrass boys are play in in Durham, we'd love to come out.
Ever since finding a book about Giverny at my small-town library as a kid, I've been inspired by Monet's gardens...would absolutely be a dream to visit them one day!
ReplyDeleteloving those vibrant colours!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous garden. I love that tamarisk tree....pity they don't grow here!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your next visit :)
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI moved here in Pennsylvania from Japan and started gardening for the first time in my life so that I could have the Asian variety vegetables to cook.
That was about 15 years ago.
Gardening became my no.1 hobby since then and I love spending my time in the garden.
I’ve been looking through a lot of gardening books and magazines for inspiration and I must say that your garden is one of my favorites!
I love the color scheme and the design of your garden.
I’ve been trying to figure out what makes your garden looks so sophisticated and what can I do to improve my own garden.
Right now, mine looks like a... bad quilt. LOL
Anyway, thank you for your inspiration!
Have a great time in Giverny!
Ellie
PS. I bought the larkspur seeds after looking at your blog pics. I had to have them!!!
I'm sure we are all ready for another Monet moment.
ReplyDeleteSpring's well and truly underway in this part of France, I hope the weather holds up for your visit. I can't believe your visit to Monet's garden was back in May '09. Where's the time gone?
The Tamarisk tree blossoms look like huge astilbe! :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful views of Monet's garden... always appreciate them.
Happy Spring, Cameron!
I personally could never get enough of Monets gardens! So lovely....
ReplyDeleteYour garden photos are absolutely beautiful. I especially love the picture of the pink tulips. It brightens my heart when I look out at my snow filled yard. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt's absolutely a dream garden. How I'd love to stroll beside that 'perfectly planted in pink' bed, and all the others as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you and your hubby will have a wonderful 'April in Paris' vacation, Freda.
It would be hard to pass up another visit to Monet's gardens. I think the tulips and 'bones' would be well worth the trip.
Enjoy!!