Friday, July 19, 2019

Lotusland's horticultural clock

I have so many photos yet to share from my April visit to Lotusland; so looking for something quick to write about today I thought of the garden's 25-foot round horticultural clock. The clock is surrounded by topiary animals and features the twelve signs of the zodiac, hundreds of succulents, and large time-telling hands.

It's slightly over the top, in a lovable Lotusland sort of way.

Is it gauche of me to share the fact tomorrow is my birthday? Nah, Facebook will tell everyone, so why can't I?

I guess that's what got me thinking of this clock, the fact my "sign" is the crab, cancer. Neither one of those labels are particularly cheerful or optimistic, and I'm not a particularly "woo-woo" person, but damn I fit the description of this zodiac sign to a tee.

Cancer the Crab is a sign of feelings, home, and the artistic soul. Cancer season is the full flowering of Summer.

Cancer is a homebody and has a primal need for security on the home front. But the Crab is also ambitious, like other cardinal signs, and is often tenacious when moving toward its goal. 

Cancer's are Moon-ruled and can become a bit looney, especially when worn down, emotionally hurt, lonely or overwhelmed. Moods come and go quickly, and the Cancerian is intimate with the waxing and waning — the Moon in all her phases.

Cancer is at its most powerful when using the power of emotion to move people and experience meaning. (source)

What do you think? Does your personality bear a resemblance to the theoretical qualities of your zodiac sign?

Oh, and in case you're wondering I did not see a crab among the topiary animals.

Weather Diary, July 18: Hi 76, Low 61/ Precip .01"

All material © 2009-2019 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

27 comments:

  1. That is an interesting planting because the clock feels rather formal to me and the topiary animals are so whimsical, almost silly. I am not sure if they really go together. Just knowing you from your blog that does seem to be a fairly apt description. I am an Aries and not really sure what that means. Maybe I should go check it out.

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    1. My husband is an Aries, we're not supposed to be a good match.

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  2. What a cool clock! I'd love to have some topiary in my garden, but I don't really know where I'd put it that it would fit in with everything else. I think I'm very much the epitome of a Capricorn, but I'm right on the cusp between Capricorn and Sagittarius, so I have some of those traits too, and sometimes they fight each other. Now wonder I'm such a nutcase! (Not that there's any truth to any of this).

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    1. Oh yes, not that there is any truth to it...

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  3. Happy Birthday tomorrow! Hope your day is every bit as special as you are!

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  4. Well, Happy Birthday and many happy returns. Crab's claws pose certain level of danger, which suit your taste in prickly plants... I love the zodiac sun dial and the blue ground cover of the perimeter.

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    1. Thanks, and I hadn't thought about the claws...

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  5. I didn't even remember the horticultural clock at Lotusland until I saw your photos, a sure sign that it's been too long since I visited. Happy birthday! I knew it was getting close when I saw lilies starting to bloom. I think most descriptions of qualities linked to zodiac signs, like psychic "readings," are broad enough to find some truth in them (among assorted muck). I've been called a typical Gemini and do believe I can see things from multiple perspectives. However, while I'd like to believe myself capable of sorcery, casting spells and, in our current time "lifting curses," I think my skills fall short there. You most definitely are adept at using emotion/passion to "move people and experience meaning" so the description is right on point there! Enjoy your day!

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    1. I hadn't heard the "sorcery, casting spells and lifting curses" part of being a Gemini, interesting!

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  6. Happy birthday, in advance, to a fellow Cancerian!

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  7. Happy Birthday, Loree! Hope you have some nice celebration planned or at least a trip to a nursery.
    I am definitely a true Scorpio, right down to the quick sting and release, lol. Cancer is my compatible sign, so we'd get along well, methinks!

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    1. "quick sting and release"...haha you had me laughing! Thanks for the wishes.

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  8. For your birthday, your backyard will be turned into a replica of Lotusland's horticultural clock. Andrew asked me not to give away the surprise, but I thought I'd alert you to the noise that will undoubtedly result fromn the workers dismantling your current backyard.

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    1. Uhm, thanks? Actually your warning allowed me to be up early enough to turn away the workers. Or rather just send them next door.

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    2. Almost as good. You can always go next door when you want to know what time it is.

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  9. 'a bit looney' and yet you have always seemed a grounded and disciplined person to me. It's good to have a serving of looney on the side lest you become too staid. I'm an Aries, and the only trait I can claim is independence. Happy birthday though ! I hope you get some good plant-y gifts !

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    1. Ya that part caught me by surprise, but I suppose it's rather true especially when they added.. "especially when...overwhelmed"

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  10. I am also a Cancer.I think I am a lot like the how a Cancer is described. I haven't seen a flower clock made with succulents before. This is quite nice. Happy Birthday. I hope you get to stretch out the celebration all through the weekend.

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  11. Congratulations on another year well-lived. The clock has not come up in other people's tours of Lotusland. I am not a topiary fan but I liked the whimsical nature of the little critters. Hope you are treated royally on your special day.

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  12. Yes, I'm a full blown Cancer, as is my sister born on the same day seven years later. Happy Birthday!

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  13. We share a birthday! And that description of Cancer is the most accurate thing I've read about myself. I'm not particularly woowoo either, but sometimes it's hard to deny coincidence ;)
    happy belated!

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    1. Thank you, and Happy Belated to you as well.

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