Red Daylily © 2010 Bo Mackison
I spend lots of time visiting botanical gardens. I love botanical gardens, especially the ones where winding, almost secret paths lead from area to area. One minute I’ll be wandering in a rose garden, the next, in an alpine conifer garden, then a trip across a bridge brings me into the magical world of a Japanese Garden. I love all those grand sights, the vistas, the fragrance only a million roses in one garden can offer. But I am one of the lucky ones. I don’t have to go to a garden across town or across the state to get my flower fix for the day. For there are gardens just outside my home.
I don’t live in the country, though a country home has been on my life list for decades. I don’t think it’s going to happen. We are too content in our home on the edge of the city. And after living here for nearly 25 years, the barren lot we purchased has been lovingly transformed into a luscious green space. The trees we planted back then now reach way beyond our roof. The gardens we planted with little bits of plants now mound high in the summer with bouquets of perennials. The rock garden is well established, as is the hosta garden. I have my little space of country here on the edge of the city.
I love looking at my flower gardens, but I don’t take photographs of them as often as I might. So for the next week or so I will offer a few photographs of my own gardens along with my favorite visiting garden spots.
Today’s flower is the lovely daylily, from a plant I transplanted from my grandfather’s garden in western Illinois more than 20 years ago.
Wonderful. I look forward to seeing your garden through your eyes/lens/eyes (whatever).
Sometimes I think my camera lenses make my eyes see more! Nope, I KNOW it’s true!
Oh, it’s daylilly time! How beautiful and how lovely that it is 20 years old and has avoided rabbits with your good care.
Amazing, a 20 year old rabbit avoiding flower — whoops, no. You meant the plant!
It is a beautiful flower, that’s for sure!
Very pretty! I hope the daylilies we planted this year will last that long!
Daylilies are hardy, you’ve got a good chance of having them around a long time.
You are very fortunate to live on the edge of the city and still have bit of land-a space of country for trees and gardens. I look forward to seeing your lovely flowers and flower gardens, Bo. I love the Daylily and this is a beautiful capture!
You are right, Anna. The best of both worlds. 5 minutes east and I’m in the city, 5 minutes west, all country.
I agree with you and Anna about having the best of both worlds. Living in the country is nice but it takes forever to get anywhere. Nothing is within walking distance.
I look forward to seeing things that are close to home for you.
Great photos! Daylilies are a gardener’s friend- they keep blooming, are carefree, and apparently are very photogenic.
Wow, the contrast on this flower is so awesome. I guess the daylilies must be different from stargazer lilies in a way. We have two plants of those stargazers in our front yard; they bloom for like a week and a half and are then gone. So this photograph makes me happy.