fruits of the season

The other day we went pear picking in a nearby farming community here in Japan. Looking through the photos I took, they just feel like a perfect end to summer to me.

Photos by me, please credit if you share, thanks!

The Paine, part three

Finally! I sorted through literally over a hundred garden photos of this lush landscape a The Paine in Oshkosh, WI. I may still be in my late twenties and it may be terribly un-chic for someone of my age to be this into plants but I just can't help myself. See what I mean from these photos I took while I was there:

I cannot get over this peaceful little spot. I would love to eat breakfast here.

Leading into a lush shade garden

  

Carriage house with mature vines, so lush and beautiful.

Espaliers outside the carriage house, I wish I had a better photo of these lovelies

 

Original gate in the side yard

Absolutely love these textures by the back gate

Natural looking enfilade lined with lavender

 

Swiss Chard border brings in so much color

This mature lavender is about nearly six feet tall. Love the tuteur.

Limelight hydrangeas lining the lawn

A lovely and restful place to sit.

Happy Spring!!

Photos by me, please credit if you would like to share. Thanks!!

peony festival

Last month I attended a local peony festival - just stunning. I wanted to share some photos of the peony gardens with you. Of course starting with the gift shop flowers to bring home.

The first garden level

White wisteria. 

Onto the second level of peonies
 

Wisteria walk down to the third garden.

Orange azaleas above row after row of peonies.

 

A perfect peony, the size of my face.

Hope you enjoyed the garden tour!

These photos are by me so please credit if you share, thanks!

wild wisteria

I had to pull over when I saw this wild wisteria growing everywhere. It was climbing over trees and just so beautiful. At this particular spot along the road, I found it climbing several stories along a cliff.

photos by me, please credit if you borrow, thanks!

farmers market

These past couple weeks have been brutally hot here in Japan. Someone in Russia please send some cool winds my way! Many residential buildings, including our building, are not air conditioned in this area. AC really isn't required but for about a month every summer - it is unbearable. Everyone on the streets is walking with personal fans. I caved and bought mine at the drugstore. It is just too hot! Still waiting on our things and working with limited technology. Hopefully only another week or two to go. Until then I wanted to share this pretty garden at my local organic farmers market.

 I loved the verbena and lavender. They were in the process of replacing the center tree while we were there so you'll just have to visualize it entirely green...

This is not like any American market! They have a beautiful restaurant where the chef prepares whatever has come into market that day. But my absolute favorites are greenhouses of fresh strawberries, bananas, papayas and mangoes.They had the prettiest sitting area in the banana greenhouse.

And I'm a sucker for their petting zoo. The local children were so interested in feeding the goats, lambs, bunnies and this mini horse. And in case you are wondering, that's what it looks like when you drop an entire head of cabbage into a pen full of rabbits - whoops...

charlotte's garden

After living in the City, I can't get over urban gardens. And Charlotte Moss has one of my favorites.

Source: lh3.ggpht.com via Ann on Pinterest

more magnolias

Lately I've been loving the work of Kari Herer since she was shared by Joy at Oh Joy! This is my favorite; still unsure of where I would put it though.