Checking on the daffodils

We made a quick run out to Garvan Gardens to see if the daffodils were ready to amaze us. They were not but the peacocks gathered around the entrance were amazing. They pretty much ignored us but seemed to gather to get some of the warm air escaping from the entrance to the building.

Garvan Gardens 2012

Our annual visit to Garvan Gardens for the Christmas lights was special this year as our friends Ed and Becky joined us.

How fun to watch the animation set to music on this new addition. 

Leon and Ed stroll the candy cane lane.

I am glad we went in early December. The weather was quite pleasant. 

The next morning Lisa, Becky, and Ed joined us for the first breakfast in our new dining area and the last meal cooked in the old kitchen! What a great visit we had.

Garvan Gardens again

I am a little behind in my blogging but am changing the dates to reflect the actual events. We almost missed the azaleas at Garvan Gardens but still found the place beautiful and serene.

I am usually just on the bridge but decided to explore from below on this day.

Oh, I think I was being watched!

Tulip Time

Garvan Gardens posted on their facebook page that the daffodils were past peak so we dashed out early this morning to survey the situation. The tulips definitely are not past peak!

I think this might be my absolute favorite time of the year in the gardens but it has gotten so hot so fast that everything is early.

I stopped along the way to reminisce at Pancho Rowe's bench.

The peacocks hang out by the door these days and are certainly not shy.

The blue, yellow and white hyacinths were putting on quite a show and the fragrance in the air was divine.

We comment each time we go how much use we get out of our season passes. Today was a quick 45 minute stroll but well worth the visit.

 

Garvan Gardens

We have hardly had any winter this year so in mid February we thought we should hike through Garvan Gardens and check the progress of the daffoils. We were quite surprised to be greeted by peafowl that were no longer confined to their pen.

The bonzai building is completed and looks quite nice in it's natural setting but where are the bonzai plants?

I was surprised to see more tulips blooming than daffodils. Now that is just backwards. Perhaps they planted them too shallow this year.

I am not sure what these little cuties are but perhaps some type of crocus. They seem happy to see the sun.

In perhaps three weeks this hill will be as yellow as a tub of butter with all the daffodils in bloom and I will be back!



The gardens are closed in the month of January and all the Christmas decorations are taken down. A lot of work also goes on during the winter as the gardens continue to grow. Here they are building a service road but cutting the trees opened a nice view of the lake from another vantage point.

We caught this peacock flirting with the miss as we were leaving.

Garvan Gardens revisited

Kay and her family came early for Christmas so we joined them for our second annual visit to Garvan Gardens. The rain subsided and the temps weren't so frigid as last year!

After the drummer boy came the gingerbread boys as Reid and Flave imitated the glowing one.

Reid is the cameraman for Flave and Kay.

Merry Christmas to All

Garvan Gardens - Trip 1

Garvan Gardens is transformed into a magical place at Christmas.  My new green UGGs did the trick and I was not cold at all!

I must admit my sister took this picture and it was better than mine!

Last year the place was packed and the kids swarmed the train. This year Leon and all us big kids got a turn.

In case your eyes play tricks this is a swan on the pond with the reflection of blue lights from beyond.

I adore all the flowers in so many various colors. There are butterflies flitting among them but they go on and off faster than my finger can click the shutter.

A new theme this year was all the mushrooms. This little animated turtle was busy eating.

We parked under the red reindeer. Without the color coding we might still be looking for the car.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

We were quite surprised on our morning walk at Garvan Gardens. They begin decorating for Christmas in mid September. Here comes the fish!

I guess when you decorate the woods you need a large ladder. This is not one that I would want to climb.

Even with the Christmas lights twinkling we had some fall azaleas blooming.

The candy canes are up and many of the little houses. Still there is much to be done.

Arkansas mosquitoes can be quite a reckoning force.

Lovely little summer plants were still blooming and soon I bet the place will be overflowing with mums.

Progress on the bonzai house seems slow but I think it will be worth the wait. Garvan Gardens is just a first class operation and a marvelous place for a morning stroll.