Sleeping Rose Garden

The other day when David and I went to Colonial Park, we also stopped at the Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden. David found this lovely spot in Somerset, NJ last summer while we were on a bike ride. It was such a fun surprise! We love riding Rails to Trails (I never knew about these until I moved to NJ) and if you follow the D & R Canal Trail which is 29 miles of great bike trail you will run into this rose garden. Not to say that David and I ride the entire 29 miles...good grief. We access at the Somerset entrance and ride until we get tired. I think the most we did was 10 miles.

Anyway, here are just a few shots of what this garden looks like in winter. I love looking at rose gardens while they are sleeping because you can really see the layout.

The garden boasts over 3000 roses and is a really nice large size. Supposedly they only have roses that thrive in NJ, but looking at the list of Hybrid Tea roses, I'm a little sceptical. A few of these should probably only be grown in California, Florida or some other really warm wonderful place.

The below identifier belongs to the rose above. I took this shot because these roses looked unbelievably healthy and to be that greened-out in March?? I think I might need a Lady Elsie May for some background filler.

That's David in the background. We pretty much had the place to ourselves. Just a few other families.

This shot gives you an indication of the size. This is from corner to corner.

A gorgeous Ballerina Polyantha rose.

I took this to check out the branching habit of Fantin Latour, a Centifolia rose. I have a baby one of these in the front garden and looking at this I think I may need to move it.

They have a small test area for Weeks roses. I would love to know what they are testing but sadly, no tags!

David said he might build me an arbor this year. Hurray!! I've always wanted one and it is helpful to have a very handy husband. I took this shot because I love how this climbing rose looks on their arbor in the winter. Want something similar. This is The Garland and they have several of them. I don't know if this climber is still in production...I looked and can't seem to find it.

Beautiful Magnolia in the background.

Since I'm from Arizona I think I need this rose, don't ya think? 

A few days in Las Vegas

I'm in Las Vegas for a bit for work. Weather is beautiful. I'm staying at the new Vdara which so far is very nice. Not my favorite LV hotel, but still nice. Today I walked over to the Bellagio to see what they were displaying in their garden. It was pretty outstanding! The theme is a Spring Celebration.

Large umbrellas turned upside down grace the ceiling.

A working Merry-Go-Round is a feature on the side garden with tulips and hyacinth in front.

My love for poppies continues with this shot under the bridge.

As you approach the garden the hyacinth is almost overpowering. But with all the bodies packed into the garden it was a welcome scent!

I thought these chrysanthemum were fantastic and my favorite part.

Huge sculptural flowers and you can see the gigantic bumble bees. I think the bees are made of flowers as well but I couldn't get close enough to verify.

Spring Flowering Trees

Late March is the time for flowering trees in NJ. These beautiful specimens are seen everywhere around here, but we had a particularly delightful visit to the Colonial Park in Somerset, NJ and saw so many gorgeous trees! Between the cherries, pears and magnolias, I was in heaven! I had to snap a few of the outstanding evergreens too.

Cherry at the end of its peek...

Pear waving in the breeze...

Not sure the name of this one?....

And then there were the magnolias....

Is the most perfect spot for a bench you've ever seen??.....

Another amazing Pear....

This Cherry set amongst the winter trees was just lovely and one of my favorite shots. 

A Spring visit to Reeves

David and I made a visit to the Reeves-Reed Arboretum today to check out the daffodils. If you are ever in Summit, NJ I highly recommend making a visit. Luckily we live pretty close so can come often. It's free to the public and pretty outstanding especially now, when the daffodils are in bloom.

When we first arrived we were greeted by a beautiful display of hellebores. In the parking lot of all places. Why don't I grow these pretty early spring flowers? Maybe next year...

Walking through the entrance and heading toward the rose garden, you can see the formal azalea garden in the back, next to the Wisner House which was built in 1889.

The formal rose garden is small but very pretty. I can't wait to snap some pics in full bloom!

The formal herb garden is charming...

The daylilly border is wonderful too and contains every single Stout Medal Winner from 1950 to the present. I'm just getting into daylillies so will come back when they are in bloom.

Koi Pond

Awesome European Beech that kids call the "Elephant Tree".

And finally...the reason we came....the Daffodil Bowl which has been blooming since 1920 and is planted on a hillside formed by a glacier. I'll let the pics speak for themselves.

Lovely spring....sigh.