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!

My mommy's garden.

I had the pleasure of enjoying my mom's garden on our vacation. She lives in Southern California, Zone 9-10-11. It's been years since my mom's been able to garden. She's facing the challenge of having an all-container garden for the first time in her life. I think it looks beautiful! She has all kinds of treasures I wanted to share with you:

One morning I was outside pruning while the kids ran all around. I found this lizard and I had to show the kids. Here me with my son Ben and the lizard in my hands:

Here grandma show the lizard to my son Hunter:

Here's the lizard up close:

This is my mom's climbing Dreamweaver rose. Dreamy, isn't it?

French Lavender:

This is my mom's Hot Cocoa rose. It's very happy in this whiskey barrel for sure:

She has several red roses side by side, including Ingrid Bergman & Oklahoma.

Unknown rose:

Hydrangea:

Black-eyed Susan vine:

Yellow Aquilegia glows at sunrise:

These are our plumeria plants. The pink is hers, and the white is mine. She and my grandmother have been babysitting my plumeria for years now. I have a cutting from it growing in my yard, (in fact, it bloomed the day before we left for our vacation) but the huge white parent plant will come home with me someday. ;)

One night my grandma, mom and I walked around my mom's garden. I took this picture of my mom and grandmother, both my most influential gardener heros:

Here's my grandma & me:

And my mom and I:

Happy Gardening!

Much more to come incudng a visit to the local botanical gardens, Cambria Pines Lodge gardens, and lighthouse garden.

A few shots from Sacramento.

My family and I recently took a vacation to California. I'm from southern California, so we visited my family there. We also stopped in the Sacramento area to see my best friend and her family. I snapped a few garden-oriented pictures while we were there.

I know Olenader grows much like a weed in most parts of California. My friend even called them "freeway trees," but for someone who's been gardening in Wisconsin for 5 years now, a shrub of that size covered in color this time of year is a treasure none-the-less. Here are two Olenader growing along the property line of my friend's home.

My nephew is growing his first garden this year, including some edibles like tomatos and squash;. I didn't get a picture of them, but his magical sunflower definately caught my eye. Believe it or not, I can't get a sunflower to grow--the birds and squirrels steal the seeds long before they germinate. LOL.

Happy gardening!

A Tomato Friend.

Been busy harvesting tomatos, making sauces and chili (among many other things). I made this pretty little lady the other night while my chili was cooking and had to share her with you.

I have tons of pictures to share from our vacation to California. We visited many garden centers, public gardens, friends gardens, and even a lodge with an elaborate garden. I've got lots of catching up to do. ;) Lots of rain forecasted tomorrow, so I'm sure I'll be able to post some goodies.