Hi GPODers!
I’m finally back with another installment of GPOD Vignettes, a compilation of submissions too short for their own post but still worthy of sharing. If you missed the first two installments, check those out here: GPOD Vignettes #1 and Vignettes #2.
It seems to be a happy coincidence, or my own mind finding connections in absolutely unrelated messages, but as I compile these short submissions sent in over the course of several weeks I can’t help but find a common thread. Last time all of the submissions focused on small gardens and spaces, while this installment is a little more sentimental. As I browsed through the emails and collected the images, I realized all of the photos were of very specific plants or moments that, for whatever reason, caught the gardener’s eye and compelled them to snap a photo. It wasn’t until I looked at this very first submission from Mary White-Edwards that it all clicked, sometimes a plant or a garden scene just speaks to us. Speaks to our interests, our sense of wonder, or simply to our soul. For whatever reason, these plants spoke to these gardeners and we are all lucky that each gardener listened, captured, and shared.
For the love of roses
Photo of the day by Mary White-Edwards, Longview, TX. I love roses and this close up just spoke to me.
A garden doesn’t need to be complex to be beautiful, and a plant doesn’t need to be exotic to catch and eye. The humble pink rose, in all of its ruffled glory, is always worth a second to smell, admire, and even photograph if the moment is right. From the vibrant color to the tiny veins in the petals that can just barely be seen, Mary captured this rose at its most beautiful.
Two Is Better than One
I am a home gardener for 15 years. And planted cucumbers each year. I got twin cucumbers this year.
Thank you very much, Vicky Hou
While it certainly makes sense that certain plants could grow twin fruit, I don’t think I ever considered the possibility. While seemingly not the rarest occurrence, a quick Google search is telling me that twin cucumbers are about as common as human twin births. Such an interesting reward for 15 years of gardening, and absolutely worth several pictures. Thank you for sharing this vegetable garden marvel, Vicky!
Gifts from a Friend and the Garden
I loved the colors, texture and beauty of blooming agapanthus next to native brown-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia triloba, Zones 4–7) in my garden in Averill Park, NY. I hope you do, too!!
Stephanie Stewart
Like the sunshine on a blue sky, yellow and blue can be a soothing combination. And as Stephanie mentioned, the textures of this scene are sublime as well. The layers of blooms remind me of the finale of a fireworks display. As bursts of pyrotechnics come one after the other and lingering color falls behind, the next set of fireworks send out a new explosion of color and dazzles in the foreground.
When my friend asked me to overwinter her begonia, then said keep it, I never expected such a beautiful gift. It keeps on giving! – Certain plants have that extra layer of sentimentality, and anything gifted is bound to hold some extra meaning. This begonia is stunning—potentially the variety ‘Apricot’ Splendide Ballerina (Begonia x tuberhydrida ‘Splendide Ballerina Apricot’, Zones 3–10)—but I’d say Anne will love this plant far more than anyone who goes and buys the same variety from a garden center.
A Simple Scene with a Striking Plant
Picture features bedroom courtyard garden
Location: Wilmington, North Carolina
Anne Sorhagen
Sometimes it’s not just one plant or a particular pairing that speaks to us, sometimes it’s a scene in its entirety. Anne’s courtyard garden has a laundry list of elements that draw you in for more. Of course, the plants: Siam tulip (Curcuma alismatifolia, Zones 8–10), spreading yew (Taxus cuspidata, Zones 4–7), and boxwoods (Buxus spp. and cvs., Zones 4–9) come together perfectly. The Siam tulip blooms are eye catching in their color and interesting form. The foliage looks lush and vibrant. However, I also think the character in the brick wall, the ornate fountain, and antique wind chimes are essential elements that make this space feel complete.
Thank you to all of the contributors for sharing these special moments in their gardens. I can just about guarantee that if a plant, a pairing, or a vignette is speaking to you, it will resonate with others, too. So, if you haven’t yet, be sure to send in a garden photo that speaks to you by following the directions below.
Have a garden you’d like to share?
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!
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