Saturday, January 29, 2011

A Blast of Color!

Hello everyone,
   I just popped in to share some colorful pictures of our garden that I took mostly last summer but a few are older ones. I see from reading blogs that many of you are starved for color so I thought I would give you a little shot of color today. I am starting to get excited about the return of the garden but living in Canada I know I will have to be patient for awhile yet, but still I enjoy looking back at past summer with a cup of tea in hand.
The photo above is our allee garden path- the lovely blue is six hills giant nepeta .
The arbor that my husband built several years ago.
Graham Thomas - a beautiful David Austen English rose.
The rose blooming here is Therese Bugnet- a hardy no fuss rose.
our garden  in June.
Phlox gives a good shot of color in August and September.
Lots of color in the mid summer garden
I love these tree peony blossoms- they are the first of many peonies to bloom in our garden.
Love that first shot of color in the spring garden!
How I look forward to lilac season!
I am looking forward to picking bouquets from the garden again.
Love this Japanese peony but sorry I have forgotten the name so I call it beautiful!

How I love those big beautiful peony blossoms.
The garden in full bloom.
Miss Kim lilac standards in the foreground and a Canadian lilac behind.
Vile de Lyon clematis growing up around a birdhouse.
August has so much color in our garden.

One last blast of color for you- a beautiful bouquet!

Well, now since you probably already know I love to show off our little bit of garden paradise I am joining Hakan (who has a beautiful rose garden paradise) for Show off Saturday over at Maleviks Rosentradgard in Sweden. This is my first time entering and there is so much beauty-garden and otherwise to see.

Thank you for visiting me today,

Enjoy your weekend,

Carolyn
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49 comments:

  1. Rose Garden MalevikJanuary 29, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    Hi Carolyn
    THANK YPU for your kindliness :)
    I just LOVE your Garden and your Style...
    Hugs from Håkan

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  2. TinoJanuary 29, 2011 at 2:59 PM

    So beautiful!! Your blog is so lovely, love your photos!
    Have a nice evening!
    Tino

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  3. SheilaJanuary 29, 2011 at 3:03 PM

    Your gardens are spectacular !A lovely sight to see on a winters day .

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  4. Peeters LilianeJanuary 29, 2011 at 3:10 PM

    You have a beautiful and romantic garden!!! I am in love with your arbor! In my garden I have also peony but only the white one. I enjoy reading your blog!!!
    Greetings from Belgium,
    Liliane

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  5. AnonymousJanuary 29, 2011 at 3:17 PM

    Hi Carolyn,
    What a paradise you have, oh, how you must long for Spring. I love lilacs always have and I'm hoping the weather this year in our part of Canada doesn't freeze the blooms like they did last year. I especially fell in love with your June picture. Now!!! We wait for Spring.
    Have a wonderful Saturday,
    Rosemary...X

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  6. AnonymousJanuary 29, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    Hi Carolyn, Thank You!! I needed that blast of color.Your gardens look so beautiful. I can't wait till spring.

    Kathy

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  7. AnonymousJanuary 29, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    Just the dose of color I needed to get me through another grey, cold day here....thank you my friend!

    Abby

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  8. Heather's Blog-o-ramaJanuary 29, 2011 at 3:42 PM

    Oh, look at all that beautiful color. It's so intense and gorgeous. I was really taken with the indigo colored flowers, especially :) :) Have a great weekend. Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)

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  9. RowanJanuary 29, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    What a beautiful garden you have and the colour and sunshine are just what is needed on a bitterly cold night in January.

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  10. Miss RheaJanuary 29, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    Wow ! How Blessed you are to live on a little slice of Heaven :) :) :) Gorgeous !!

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  11. Vintage GalJanuary 29, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    Your gardens are absolutely beautiful. Ohhh to get lost in that garden right now ~ alas ~ it is snowing again. I can't wait for spring to smell the lilacs ;-)

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  12. Divine TheatreJanuary 29, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Thanks! My soul needed that!

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  13. MillieJanuary 29, 2011 at 4:43 PM

    Oh I needed that today! Everything is sooo white here....but I do like the pure white of new-fallen snow rather than the bleak gray without snow (or old snow). I guess that is why I don't think I'd like to paint any rooms gray... your garden is so lovely!

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  14. Custom ComfortsJanuary 29, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    Stunning ~ just stunning! What a feast for the eyes. Thank you so very much for brightening my day.
    Cindy

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  15. maría ceciliaJanuary 29, 2011 at 5:38 PM

    Hola Carolyn, I´m absolutely spechless at beauty of your garden... my god!!!!!
    hugs

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  16. DoniJanuary 29, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    Carolyn, Oh what beauty! I can't wait for this spring...color and smells of fresh flowers....
    Ahhhhhh....thanks for the teaser!!!
    Blessings, Doni

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  17. RobertaJanuary 29, 2011 at 5:54 PM

    molto belle queste foto !è bello pensare al tepore della primavera in queste fredde giornate d'inverno...ciao LA Sportina
    Roberta.

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  18. RaffaellaJanuary 29, 2011 at 5:55 PM

    Your garden is wonderful... I would like a garden like yours...

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  19. ZwierciadłoJanuary 29, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    Your Garden is beutiful!!!When I see Your photos I have a nice day!!!You are Women Angel!!!
    Pozdrawiam.Agnieszka.

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  20. UnknownJanuary 29, 2011 at 6:49 PM

    Dear Carolyn,
    Miss Kim sure is a show stopper and she has won lots of awards. I love mine and she is right next to my window..do you have any problems with Deer visiting your gardens? What about bunnies?
    We are planning on lots of remakes in our garden come spring..I need a gazebo..
    Lovely gardens..
    ~Shirley

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  21. AdrienneJanuary 29, 2011 at 7:17 PM

    Your garden is absolutely breath-taking! What a gorgeous display for a winter day. Thank you for sharing it with us. I'd love to know what all is planted under the tree in the Spring photo. I have a tree that needs a garden underneath and you have inspired me.
    ~Adrienne~

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  22. sweetbayJanuary 29, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    Your garden looks fabulous!!

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  23. Judith @ Lavender CottageJanuary 29, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    Hi Carolyn
    Just beautiful and makes me want my gardens to return as soon as possible too. Our winter is much too long, istn't it?
    Judith

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  24. SuzannJanuary 29, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    Whoa! That was a surprise. Color in January!? Unheard of in Chicagoland. : )

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  25. Robin's Nesting PlaceJanuary 29, 2011 at 11:29 PM

    Gorgeous pictures and each one is a feast for the eyes! I am longing for spring!

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  26. The Gilded CherubJanuary 29, 2011 at 11:29 PM

    Beautiful!! What a site for sore eyes in January! Thank you for sharing. I have to look at your blog everyday, it helps with the winter blues.
    Thanks again.

    Lorene
    The Gilded Cherub

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  27. Pamela GordonJanuary 29, 2011 at 11:33 PM

    Gorgeous pictures of your garden. I could just imagine walking down the allee and in and around all the pretty spots then stopping for a glass of iced tea and one of your sugar cookies. :-) It looks like you and I and a couple of others had the same idea for this mid winter's day. We'll keep on dreaming until spring...Pam

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  28. deb millsJanuary 29, 2011 at 11:37 PM

    i just discovered your blog and it is truly a thing of beauty. i'm enjoying working back through all the posts. thanks for sharing your spectacular garden.

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  29. SusanJanuary 30, 2011 at 12:12 AM

    Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, Carolyn for the whiff of spring and the bright, sumptuous blooms....ahhhhhh,I can envision spring now. Wouldn't it be fabulous to look out the window tomorrow morning and see all the snow melted and peonies in bloom? Ahhhhhhhhhhh, we must be patient. Susan

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  30. lvroftiquesJanuary 30, 2011 at 2:31 AM

    Gorgeous!! Vanna

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  31. Alex aus dem GwundergartenJanuary 30, 2011 at 3:54 AM

    Hi Carolyn
    That was exactly what I needed right now. Thank you so much for the holiday for my eyes! Your garden is just breath taking.
    Take care
    Alex

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  32. Lounging with a LatteJanuary 30, 2011 at 7:35 AM

    Everytime I visit your blog the words 'Just Beautiful' come into my thoughts. Your latest post is no exception...your colorful garden is 'just beautiful'! Thanks for sharing.

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  33. Broceliandes GartenträumeJanuary 30, 2011 at 9:12 AM

    Hallo Carolyn,
    you show us soooooo beautiful garden pictures. I hope the spring will come soon - here it's so cold. Thank you for your pictures. Greetings from Germany
    Christina

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  34. MargotJanuary 30, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    Hi Carolyn! I think you have the most beautiful garden I have ever seen!! A real paradise, I just love it!!
    Hugs from Margot

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  35. serial tillerJanuary 30, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    I thought gardens this beautiful were only in magazines. A friend sent me a link to your blog. I love everything about it. Thanks for sharing...I'm truly color starved.

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  36. PASSIONEDECO FRANCESCAJanuary 30, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    Dear Carolyn,
    you already know my mouth stays open for a while everytime I look at your garden so.....
    I'M IN LOVE with the Therese Bugnet rose...it looks so rustic and so chic.
    Is it one of David Austen's?
    I want it....I've to search for it now.
    Fra

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  37. PASSIONEDECO FRANCESCAJanuary 30, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    No, no. It's not Austen's. I've just found a shop here in Italy that sells roses on line and....they have Therese (Bugnet was the name of the hybridator, wasn't it?).
    I'm going to buy it.
    Thank you Carolyn for this inspirational post.
    Fra

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  38. AnonymousJanuary 30, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    Hi Carolyn! Oh, my goodness! Your garden is just Heavenly! It's so gorgeous and you do have the most beautiful flowers I ever seen. Your blog is a blast of sunshine!
    Bless you,
    Shelia ;)

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  39. nanniepannieJanuary 30, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    So, so beautiful, can I come live with you...I'll be your garden girl.

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  40. Rita MJanuary 30, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    What a beautiful garden Carolyn.
    I love all these colors and your allee garden path is so beautiful.
    Hugs - Rita

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  41. nanniepannieJanuary 30, 2011 at 12:53 PM

    Your "Blast Of Color" was so inspiring I had to link my Sunday post to it. I so hope you don't mind. Your garden is so beautiful.

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  42. MadeliefJanuary 30, 2011 at 2:29 PM

    Dear Carolyn,

    A blast of color indeed! Thank you! It's just what I needed.

    You really have green fingers. I wish I could come along in summer and walk with you through the garden. You know so much! I love the way you combine plants/colours.

    When I look at your pictures I realise I am just a novice, but hopefully my garden will look as beautiful as your one day. Meanwhile I will just keep on looking 'how you do it' and learn from my mistakes!!

    Happy new week!

    Lieve groet, Madelief

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  43. KathyJanuary 30, 2011 at 6:00 PM

    Thank you, I needed that! You have a gorgeous garden.

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  44. AnonymousJanuary 30, 2011 at 7:55 PM

    What lovely photos on a dreary and rainy day here. Your gardens are simply beautiful! Thanks for sharing some summer with us.

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  45. Heaven's WalkJanuary 30, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    Oh Carolyn.....I could just smell the peonies, lavender, roses, and bee balm as I scrolled through your beautiful photos. Just breathtaking, friend. You must not have any bug problems in your gardens. There's not a leaf with a bite out of it. lol!

    xoox laurie

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  46. BohemianJanuary 30, 2011 at 9:28 PM

    This really is like the magical Secret Garden of my dreams and that arbor your Husband built is magnificent! Thanks for sharing such a beautiful blast of natural splendor and color... Spring is certainly on our minds now!

    Dawn... The Bohemian

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  47. Pétales de féeJanuary 31, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    Oh merci merci pour cette explosion de couleurs et de fleurs ! Toutes plus belles les unes que les autres ! Je rêve devant un si beau jardin !
    Bisous

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  48. Shabby soulJanuary 31, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    Darling Carolyn, your garden takes my breath away! Each time I see it my heart makes bum bum...!
    Thank you darling friend for share with us all this beauty and colors, in these gray day we all need something colored and welcoming like this wonderful "nest".
    ps.:I've the same nepeta, but it doesn't look as blue as yours...
    Stunning peonies, and roses, and delphinium and...
    Have a nice day
    Silvia

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  49. CandyleiFebruary 7, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    Woohoo! These beautiful pictures bring a gardener to tears in February! The siberian iris, peonies, weigela...And the one of the first pictures with your arbor. I love that. Did your husband make that?
    Have soil, will plant,
    Candylei

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Thank you for all your sweet comments and may your day be filled with joy!

Carolyn