Most of my girls and a dear friend visited the Idaho Botanical Garden with me on Melody’s birthday this year. I had never been there before, always wanting to, but never able to drag myself away from my own garden on a sunny day. This year I bought a year long family pass. I hope to visit regularly throughout the season as part of my gardening. That is, I see it’s potential as a source of ideas, as well as a nice place to stroll.
This particular day was crisp and cool. Not much was blooming, but I found much enjoyment in the bare bones design that can make or break a garden this time of year. Everything was organized, but without rigidity. The staff was friendly and the layout was flowing. (However, the map we were given still has us puzzled.) We discovered plants we had never seen before. The ubiquitous sage brush of arid Idaho deserts was used tastefully throughout, in some places being pruned in a way that lent it a stature in landscaping hitherto unimagined. Of course, being on site of the old penitentiary had it’s effect, too. Here are a few photos of the beauty, fun, and creativity.
(The wisteria arches)
(“Guard Dogs On Duty”)
(Prison walls)
(winter jasmine)
(box elder beetles, I’m told)
(comparative grasses)
(mountain kittentails!)
(had the word “spider” in the name somewhere….)
I just love your photographs. They are from unique and interesting viewpoints. Your girls are beautiful!
Thanks!
Thank you for the pleasure of accompanying you and your girls on Melody’s birthday. That was a very fun outing, I love the pictures, especially the girls with the huge logs and the one where they are “hiding” behind the poles. I found the gardens to be, even though not anywhere near full bloom, inspirational.
Cindy – Thank YOU for going with us. It was so nice to have you along.
Beautiful family! I enjoyed your pictures on this special day!
Thanks, Jan. 🙂 I’m glad you liked them. Always fun to share things.
Thanks for the pictures. Of the plant pictures, I especially liked the winter jasmine, it’s very pretty. And those box elder beetles are exactly the ones that are taking over my house. >.< The pictures of the girls playing in the garden came out very well! And you got Beth! Smiling! 😀
Heidi, Yes! I did get a nice smile from Beth, didn’t I? The key is to take lots of pictures. Sooner or later she relaxes and smiles –
It looks like a fun time!