Dream of a Garden, Solvang, Ca.

During our trip to California last month my husband and I tried to get some time away, alone, without the kiddos. My mom was kind enough to watch the kids for two days and one night while we drove up to Solvang and Cambria on the south central coast of California. In 2002 my husband and I honeymooned on this route, and we were anxious to re-experience some the honeymoon goodness we enjoyed then.

On our honeymoon we stayed at a fabulous Bed and Breakfast called the Storybook Inn, in Solvang. The traditional Danish breakfast they served included a sausage omelette w/ danish cheese my husband's raved about for years, and Abelskivers, a pancake ball served with fresh raspberry preserves. We were unable to stay at the same B & B this time, but we timed our trip perfectly to eat breakfast in Solvang at a restaurant that serves the same type of breakfast we enjoyed so much last time. We arrived a few minutes before the restaurant opened, so we strolled around Solvang, taking in the peace and quiet of the foggy, early morning.

Around the corner from where we parked I spotted this business, not yet open of course, but completely surrounded in the most beautiful cottage garden I'd seen in real life. The roses seemed to be at peak bloom, and I felt like I was in a wonderland. I did not venture up the steps, I didn't want to be trespassing or anything, but I simply had to take a few pictures. I don't think I would have taken pictures if it was a private residence, but it was a business, so I felt okay. I didn't want to ask for permission to browse at 6:30 am on a Sunday morning. Ha ha!

I was beyond delighted to find Eden rose blooming in abundance right along the street side of the garden. I have coveted this rose for years now, and have never seen it in person. This trip was certainly turning out to be magical.

Doesn't this look like paradise!



Some other treasures within reach:



Just down the same street another place of business, I think a small hotel of sorts, had this garden in their front yard. This agapanthus and Rose of Sharon made me drool.

These roses were beautiful also!


And on our way back to the restaurant I saw these giant rosemary plants. What I wouldn't give to have a hardy rosemary near us!!

The gardening portion of my day only got better as we ventured up to Cambria...

My Grandmother's Garden

One of the main reasons we took our vacation to California when we did was to spend some time with my grandparents before my husband deploys to Afghanistan for the next year. I had the pleasure of working in my grandmother's garden for about 12 hours during our one week in southern California. I pulled weeds, divided some iris, divided some amaryllis, pruned all of her roses, planted a new rose, Hot Cocoa, in her front yard, and put in a low maintenance groundcover, gazania and sweet potato vine 'blackie,' beneath her roses, to help retain moisture in her sandy soil.

I had so much fun digging in her dirt, and getting to know her roses. There were some dead wood in the center of massive 30-year-old roses that was very difficult to get to, and some climbing branches well into the neighbors' yard, hidden by masses of bougainvillea that I tamed back onto her side of the fence. With the help of my husband and brother, and a few dozen cuts from the thorns, each roses was revived a bit. I grew up in my grandmother's garden, often watering for her, scouring the yard for my little turtle Peter, playing with my Barbie's on the patio, splashing in a pool on the grass. I want the garden to always shine for my grandmother, as the yard is, in many ways, the heart of the family.

On my grandmother's back porch she has a huge Hoya vine, and these are the blooms. I have a clipping from hers, from years ago, and it's never bloomed for me yet. I can't wait for it to someday. I'm patient. I think they also call it porcelain plant?

A beautiful white orchid. I took a division of this last October, and it's started to grow in my kitchen window recently.


Some yellow roses, I don't know any of their names:

Double Delight:

Tropicana:

Chicago Peace:

Some faded blooms

A not yet faded bloom

Some reds:


Some pinks, two of which belonged to my mom before they were planted in my grandmother's yard:

Royal Highness:

This is my next must have rose, but first, I have to figure out which rose it is! Oh, it smelled heavenly!!

And a white:

An orangey red:

Here's her back rose bed.

And finally here's my beautiful grandmother, sitting on her back patio in front of one of her huge Queen of the Night cacti, beneath a palm tree.

Thank you for letting me dig in your dirt grandma, I love you.

A few "garden" things I noticed at Disneyland.

The way I see, it, all the world is a garden. Most people, I imagine, go about their day un-knowingly passing by the various plant life around them. And then there's me. I might miss out on the people I'm with, the street I'm on, but I notice the gardens. I remember the gardens.

Who could go to Disneyland and walk right past this Disneyland rose?

Not me. I spent a long time with my nose in one, and my camera on the others.

My sons, husband, and brother go up in the tree house, and I'm looking at the abundant tropical paradise around them.

In New Orlean's square outside Pirates of the Carribean? I see this basket of dead nettle, and am impressed. I never would have thought to make a whole basket of it. It looks so simple and elegant.

In line for Pooh's ride I see this fence. How simple. They're manufactered, but very realistic. i want a fence like this!

Outside Pooh's ride I find this gorgeous arbor.

Eating lunch I went for a potty break and stumbled into this area of alfresco dining. I was mezmerized!

The path to the potty took me on a quick trip to central America.

Just look at these planters!

While the kids pet goats I find this cabin, and it's garden:

How about a whole ride dedicated to mini-gardening? Storybookland.

This slope of color on the right is all succulents of various colors! There are mini-trees on the island in the middle.

How about a whole castle of mini-plant life?

A blurry shot, but look at the Norfolk Pine growing in one of the few environments they're hardy.

These cottages are so amazing to me. Mini trees, mini boxwood hedges. To scale, this little structure doesn't top 1 1/2 feet.

And finally, in Toon Town I find this adorable pumpkin patch! Sweet Potato Vine with faux pumpkins!!! Love this idea, and might try it next year in the front yard.

Hope you enjoyed my journey. Oh, and never fear, I did pay tons of attention to the kiddos and family while I was there, too.

Happy gardening!