On Monday I shared photos of the Aloe Garden at Lotusland, complete with its fabulous clam shell fountains. But there's another pool at Lotusland with clam shells, and here they're on the beach...
The photo above was borrowed from the Lotusland website. I was so focused on the shells during my visit last April that I didn't get a great overall shot.
I always forget where exactly this pool is, and end up consulting a map. There it is in the orange circle, above the Fern Garden.
One side seems quite formal...
But the other side, well, not so much...
I love to come here and just stare at the shells and ask; "why?" Madame Ganna Walska was not one for half-measures. She must have had a vision and this was it. I just feel like there should be more. Or they shouldn't be so evenly distributed. I dunno. I'm still working this one out.
The wall behind the shells is pretty much perfect, with its random planting pockets full of dudleya and other succulents.
And I do appreciate there are a few shells turned over, so they're not all facing the same direction.
On Monday's post Hoover Boo commented: "The 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." She's referring to the pond in the Aloe Garden, and while it's definitely got its quirks, for me this wins the title of quirkiest. I do agree however, Madame Walska must have been a hoot.
Weather Diary, Oct 29: Hi 47, Low 34/ Precip 0
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I could see maybe a cluster of these big shells gathered together and planted up, in a corner, but scattered like this in front of the beautifully planted wall doesn't work for me.
ReplyDeletePlanted up seems to be the solution most are seeing.
DeleteI had the similar feelings after seeing your photos: the wall is perfect while the shell distribution is too even. I would have placed them in groups, and planted succulents in some, or wold it be too tacky? Just notice Alison bit me to this idea :-D
ReplyDeleteLooking at the map, I notice "Insectary". Did you visit?
I did not try to visit the insectary on this trip, my husband and I did attempt to on a previous visit. I think it might be off limits as we couldn't locate it.
DeleteWOW! I've never even seen this part of Lotusland. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteReally? Too bad you didn't happen upon it while I was there, we could have rearranged some shells...
DeleteI agree the shells need to be really formal and symmetrical or much more informally scattered. Looks like someone arranged them who wasn't sure what they were supposed to do.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I wonder?
DeleteLove the succulent wall - those are some very happy Dudleyas. I don't care for the uniform distribution of clam shells either. I'd also be very tempted to throw in a variety of shells. That said, if that was Madame Walska's vision, then it deserves to be seen as she intended.
ReplyDeleteThis is what I want to track down, what did it look like when she was still alive...
Delete