- Author: Toni Greer
Beauty is a very subjective thing. Some see beauty in the garden as similar plant size, color and shape. Some see beauty in the butterflies, bees and hummers that reside in their garden. And…some, like myself, see beauty as an ever changing organic thing. I love color in the garden!! It could be tones of one single color or a vibrant mix of colors. Short, tall, fat, wispy and elegant draws me in.
I love pathways, for they lead to such expectation, surprise and awe. The pictures are from the Mendocino Botanical Gardens during a recent visit.
As I stood facing the bench and Memorial Plaque, ultimately I decided to take the path that went straight. The trees, the beautiful trees, Rhoddies and quiet sounds of the ocean led me down this path. With the tree Rhododendrons, tree Camellias and other hidden gems of color and shape, I didn't know where to look first.
Bright green, soft green, chartreuse, red, pink, white and on and on! A pop of red amongst the purple, white and green drew my eyes into this bed. I'm not one that likes symmetry. I love unconstructed and free-flowing as in nature. I guess that says something about my personality that I would have to agree with.
The variegated Rhododendrons and Tree Camellias were fascinating. Walking beneath the archways created by the Redwoods were Heavenly. I've had a profound love of Redwoods since I was 13. Their strength, beauty and tenacity are unlike any other botanical, even my Grandma Elizabeth's Violets and Jade!
For you, beauty in nature may be the Painted Desert, the Sierra, Smokey or Ozark Mountains. For me, it's our breathtaking North Coast.