Aiming to work off a lunch out, return my books and get some exercise, I parked on the edge of the Botanic Gardens and walked through to the library. I took paths at random and deviations often when my eye was caught by something such as this spreading dogwood tree with its wide flat petals, and a sea of stock and tulips.
I came upon a rock garden with flowering plants growing in cracks in the rocks. Perhaps it was the bright azalea which drew my eye – its colour hardly seemed real. The textures of the rocks are as beautiful as the plants themselves. Turning away from there, I discovered a pond with waterfalls.
I suppose the changing season could account for the feeling that everything was new, even though I’ve been in the Gardens hundreds of times before. This grove – or forest – of acer (I think) was layer on layer of fresh spring green.
In the Arts Centre a figure seems to be struggling with an umbrella or perhaps a kite – or has she fired a gun and been blown backwards by the recoil? By the river, the chestnut trees are flowering.
On the return journey, I passed a bluebell wood. In the water garden an abutilon drew my attention. It has the same leaves and rambling structure of my chinese lantern abutilon at home, but the flowers are different.
I used google lens frequently to identify plants and admired how many are left to grow over borders – as I do at home. Perhaps, in both cases, it’s a lack of staff!
Anne-O-tations 