While I enjoy wandering the paths and admiring the aloes I find the pool and clam shell fountains are my main draw to this part of the garden.
From the website: "A shallow kidney-shaped pool, dating from when Erastus and Marie Gavit owned the property (1915 – 1939), is one of Lotusland’s most recognizable features. Madame Walska converted it into a white-bottomed “abalone shell pond” with two large cascading fountains of giant clam shells. The brick pathways here are also from the Gavit era, and a row of Chilean wine palms (Jubaea chilensis), also dating to the estate’s earliest days"
Okay, on to the aloes...
My visit was last April, several aloes were in bloom...but since I'm aloe-ignorant you'll get no ID from me.
And we're back at the abalone shell pool...
I love its over the top, "why the hell not" nature.
I would definitely have a clam shell fountain in my garden, if I had a pond, and giant clam shells. Would you?
Time to make my exit...
One last look back.
Weather Diary, Oct 27: Hi 59, Low 33/ Precip 0
All material © 2009-2019 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
While I like the clam shell fountain and would gladly accept one were it offered, I can't say I've ever cared for that pool. It looks out of place to me, but then Lotusland is all about breaking boundaries and expectations.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. What is it that doesn't seem like it belongs? The shape of it? The color? The shells? I appreciate your saying so, and agree that Lotusland is all about breaking boundaries and expectations.
DeleteWhile the planting surrounding the pool is denser and more varied than you'd probably ever find in a natural environment, it still reads as a naturalistic style. In sharp contrast, the pool looks anything but natural with its regular curves and stark white bottom, but the narrow, precisely defined border of shells surrounded by brick is what I find most distracting. A dark-bottomed, saltwater pool with a beach scattered with shells or a Mediterranean-style pool edged in tiles would fit the surrounding landscape better in my eyes. But then Madame Walska didn't consult me!
DeleteThanks Kris! And how rude that she did not, what was she thinking!
DeleteI definitely would have a clam shell fountain. I have a single giant clam shell containing groups of dwarf Sarracenia x Scarlet Belle. It sort of fits since I'm lakeside, but I'd have it regardless because I love shells.
ReplyDeleteGood point about being lakeside. I suppose it (the clam shell fountain) wouldn't necessarily work in Omaha...
DeleteAloes are gorgeous but to me the fountain/pool looks odd amongst all the succulent plantings.
ReplyDeleteI'll be curious what you think of the next pool I share photos of (coming up on Wednesday).
DeleteThe abalone pond is the quirkiest feature of Lotusland--seems like the most personal feature of a generally very elegant garden. Madame Walska must have been a hoot.
ReplyDeleteSome really old Aloes there. Interesting to know how long they can live--long!
"Madame Walska must have been a hoot"...oh how I would have loved to hear her thoughts on this area and other features of the garden.
DeleteI think the clam shells make an great fountain with the lobes channelling water to cascade below. The whole pool area is so reflective of that era. Some of the aloes remind me of Dr. Seuss illustrations, maybe that is where he got his inspiration, who knows?
ReplyDeleteVery Dr Seuss!
DeleteAlways a treat to visit Lotusland, especially on this chilly day!
ReplyDeleteAh so it's cold up your way too eh? I'm ready for summer.
DeleteHave to admit that I always have mixed feelings about garden facets that draw so much attention to themselves like the clam shell fountain. Probably fun to see but maybe not to live with for me.
ReplyDeleteLotusland seems like it's one attention grabbing display after another, which is part of why I love it.
DeleteI like seeing your posts about Lotusland, because it seems that garden was such a personal statement, especially this pond and its shell theme. I would have a shell-themed fountain if I had enormous shells, I think. I actually bought some big blue ceramic shell-shaped pots for the Dyckias that I bought recently. I planted one up already.
ReplyDeleteOh yes! Such a personal statement. The vision of it's creator.
DeleteThose shells are massive, big enough to sit it. On a hot day that's where I'd be: sitting in the bottom shell, protected from the sun, water dripping from all sides, sipping cold ice tea.
ReplyDeleteI can almost picture you there! Well, if I knew what you look like...
DeleteLove the shells along the edge of the pool. And the plants! All the awesome plants!
ReplyDeleteSo many fabulous plants! Have you been to Lotusland Beth?
DeleteI have no doubt that you could successfully pull-off a giant clam shell fountain Loree !
ReplyDelete