It’s Chinese New Year! As a member of the Lan Su Garden I've received several emails encouraging me to visit and be part of their big festivities, instead I visited the garden on a quiet afternoon last Wednesday, all the better to see it spruced up before the big event (without the crowds).
So many fabulous plants growing in our Northwest gardens have come from China, and in Portland we’re lucky to have a marvelous public garden in which to enjoy even more of them.
The berries of this nandina matched the lanterns perfectly.
Such big beautiful Aspidistra elatior clumps.
The strange alien hands of a what I think is a tree peony...
Were unfurling right next to this camellia with huge flowers.
The Sarcococca smelled devine!
Pittosporum undulatum
Winter Jasmine
Rhododendron calophytum
Soon the ragged leaves of the Musa basjoo will be cut back, the pseudostem will be unwrapped and indeed a new gardening year will be upon us...Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you too! Thanks for this great look at Lan Su! I've been planning on buying a big-leaf Rhodie this year, I kind of like the way those Rhodie leaves there hang down like umbrellas.
ReplyDeleteI've recently become obsessed with the Rhody's with the brown indumentum, although the big leafed ones are pretty cool too!
DeleteI almost find the red lanterns to be too bright -- too incongruous with the rest of the garden. The "lantern festival" came to the Missouri Botanical Garden last summer, and I couldn't wait for the big, garish things to be taken away. They brought the crowds, but blech, what a way to ruin some wonderful garden designs.
ReplyDeleteIs it just me? (Is it just a Monday morning thing?)
I don't know Alan, I'd love to hear what others think. Personally I loved the lanterns for their brightness. Maybe because of the cloudy grey skies? If they were there all the time it might get old but for a short period I say bring them on!
DeleteI agree with you! I think there were too many lanterns. The red lanterns are cheery and welcoming but it just too much.
DeleteI actually disagree with Alan. I loved the pops of red here and there. It's the traditional red color I associated with Chinese festivals. To me they look cheery and inviting. And they're temporary, right?
ReplyDeleteThey are only temporary, up for the 15 (?) days of the festival. Glad you see their joy.
DeleteHow can I have missed that Rhododendron calophytum all this time? The red lanterns echo the nandina berries and the emerging camellia blossoms nicely. I like their colorful presence hung along the buildings and walkways - for a limited time. Maybe Alan doesn't suffer from the gray skies of winter as much as we do...
ReplyDeleteI bet you haven't missed the Rhody entirely...it was just looking extra memorable that day!
DeleteI'm also in the loving the red lanterns camp. Happy new year! Welcome color, welcome rebirth, welcome spring!
ReplyDeleteWell put!...I second that! (Welcome color, welcome rebirth, welcome spring!)
DeleteQuiet times in that garden are the best...especially, excuse me...in the rain, as it causes ripples in the still water of the pond. Then off to the tea house to warm up.
ReplyDeleteHow odd, I don't think I've ever been there in the rain. What a fair weather garden visitor I am!
DeleteBased on the title I was almost afraid to click the link but I turned out to be pleasantly surprised. It looks like spring is upon you. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteSorry about that. Snakes are not something I'm fond of either...
Deletegreat tour!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sharon!
DeleteI'm smitten with those Aspidistra elatior
ReplyDeleteThat makes two of us!
DeleteI am planning a visit here this month, I can't wait to see this garden! Jeannine
ReplyDeleteWhat a great time to visit...should be looking really good then!
DeleteThe Nandina domestica, camellia, and other plants timed it so well! Happy Chinese New Year to you too!
ReplyDeleteIndeed they did! But then again there seems to always be something looking grand here.
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