Click photos to view detail.
Hortensia beginning to bloom.
A different type of hortensia (hydrangeas).
This part resembles a cottage garden. It is a challenge keeping it from taking over...Over a period of many years, the previous owners filled practically every inch of space with plants. David and I are making a few changes.
Another type of hortensia.
Velvety red roses planted in the shadow of a palm.
Blooms next to the canal.
Lilies growing in the canal, alongside our deck.
Water lilies.
Les visiteurs.
Water lilies galore, their blooms closed in the twilight.
The neighbour's cat snoozing on a wall. All photos © Tara Bradford
I'm so glad I took some moments this afternoon to indulge in blog reading - especially the faithfuls like you who have not given way to only the rat-a-tat-tat rhythm of Facebook or Twitter communication but actually weave words and photographs to tell lovely and poignant stories! Your photographs here have refreshed my heart and mind, and taken me away from the blistering Texas heat that has claimed many of my attempts to surround us with lush foliage. Lucky I also love the starkness of sand and rocks and all that arid climes produce. But today, I was refreshed. Thank you, my Friend.
Posted by: Rebekah | 28 July 2012 at 00:02
Beautiful photographs, Tara!
Posted by: Irina | 24 July 2012 at 12:28
Hi, Neighbor's Cat, I remember you well! Oh, Tara, it's absolutely stunning! Who could have imagined this would be filled with hydrangea/hortensias? Perhaps you knew but oh -- I can't imagine that many of my favorite flower in one spot. I am simply overwhelmed!
Posted by: jeanie | 20 July 2012 at 01:40
Just lovely. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Sylvia | 18 July 2012 at 00:02
Beautiful. How nice to have such a lovely garden!
Posted by: Martha Ann | 17 July 2012 at 14:22
Truly a magical escape in your backyard!
Posted by: Mary H. | 17 July 2012 at 13:54
Beautiful flowers and the cat is handsome too!
Posted by: Sheris White | 16 July 2012 at 19:14
Beautiful! In recent years I have fallen in love with hydrangeas and your are beautiful. The first flower my grandfather always grew in his garden, so it reminds me of him. Love, love, love seeing your garden and the beautiful canal too. The twilight is wonderful on the canal and water lily's. You must really enjoy this place of peacefulness.
Posted by: Marilyn | 16 July 2012 at 18:32
Oh, like a vacation. I could almost smell the blossoms, lovely, lovely.
Posted by: Natalie | 16 July 2012 at 17:22
I didn't know that was Hortensia!! This is really interesting. I wonder if I can grow it here in L.A.
Posted by: Chris | 16 July 2012 at 16:24
How very lovely, Tara. I've noticed in gardens here and in NC the type of hortensia with the ... constellation ... of full blossoms around the cluster of tiny buds, but I've not seen the red hortensia you show here. Very cool. The water lilies at twilight are a very lovely type of 'cool'. A nice bit of beauty to open the day.
Posted by: Barbara | 16 July 2012 at 14:24