Saturday, January 26, 2013

Vistas & Views in Selby Gardens

In the last photo log of the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens I've attempted to capture some of the vistas and views. I urge you to visit a public garden, arboretum, or even a local nursery near your home. The rewards are indescribable; my photos barely touch upon the experience.

The original Selby Mediterranean revival home which now houses a garden reading room and a cafe.

 A small shake roofed gazebo.

This is how I think palms should be grown in large groves, tall palms under planted with smaller palms.



Phormium tenax, or New Zealand flax, softening the walls of the conservatory and greenhouse.

Views of downtown Sarasota from the gardens.


Garden workshop building on the right where classes are held; condominium on the left just outside the garden confines. The pine echoes yet softens the tall white building.

 Bold use of analogous colors with coleus and impatiens.

A young palm starting it's life in a garden that's ever evolving.

A fountain cleverly planted with ferns.

Gary reflecting in the garden, captured unaware sitting on a bench.

Cone like blossoms of the Encephalartos gratus cycad palm.

My favorite palm of the day, Bismarkia nobilis, with it's blue gray foliage.

The coconut palm, loaded with coconuts, which I promised to show you.

Stained glass clerestory windows frame the interior of a large gazebo.

Another view of the small gazebo; the white barked tree dwarfs it in this long distance view.

A garden quilt on the wall of the tea room where complimentary tastes of fragrant teas can be had. The tea house is located in the former carriage house of the Selby home.

The gardens are on the shore of Sarasota bay; the bridge to St.Armands is in the distance.

 I associate the garden with the whole experience of being alive, and so, there is nothing in the range of human experience that is separate from what the garden can signify in its eagerness and its insistence, and in its driving energy to live - to grow, to bear fruit.

Stanley Kunitz

11 comments:

  1. My wife and I love to visit gardens and national parks too. Your shots of the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens are amazing beautiful, but the one that spoke to me of its peacefulness is the one of Gary reflecting. Blessings!

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  2. Hello Linda:
    What an amazing and wonderful experience. So many, to our eyes, exotic plants growing in such profusion.

    Sadly, what could be wonderful Botanical gardens here in Budapest are a travesty. No will and no money.

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  3. looks like a wonderful place to visit. Sydney has Botanical gardens just up from the Opera HOuse on the harbour. They are laid out in different zones with similar plants. The range of bamboos are fantastic and the whole enclosed garden of cactus is something to see. Wouldn't it be nice if we could easily visit each others favourite garden, you have done the next best thing by sharing your photos :^) thanks..

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  4. Thanks for such an interesting and lovely tour.

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  5. Wonderful house and gazebo as well as beautiful trees and plants!

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  6. I go all the time! I visit nurseries, botanical gardens and my favorite is the arboretum. Ooh Linda, you take wonderful pictures...a natural talent!!!

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  7. Once again, thank you for the tour of beautiful flora and sunny places.

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  8. Thanks for these great photos, Linda....I just closed my eyes and thought of the warm weather there. :).. Cheers, T.

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  9. Perfect photos for a chilly NC morning! They make me feel just a little bit warmer.

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  10. I wholeheartedly agree! Visit local botanical/public gardens and plant nurseries. They are so inspirational and a lovely morning/afternoon out - especially if there is a café to stop by afterwards.
    I also love to visit private "open gardens". There are many of them here every month and are a great way to meet and chat with other gardeners and plant lovers.

    I've enjoyed the recent pictorial visits to the Selby Gardens. Thanks Linda :)

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  11. Hi Arnold, thanks most times my Gary says he doesn't want to go to gardens, but this time he admitted he had a good time and that it was relaxing. I may have an easier time of convincing him in the future. Ha.

    Hi Jane and Lance, thanks, I am surprised with all the culture in Budapest that there are no gardens, perhaps there are some private ones lurking around walls or corners. Surely there must be some gardeners there.

    Hi Anna, thanks, I remember SF Golden Gate Park has a garden with sections, this one had a desert section but I neglected to post those photos. I have always been amazed at those types of gardens being able to show off different climatic required plants all in one location. I think if money was no object I would spend a bit of time traveling to world class gardens but the photos will have to do.

    Hi Smartcat, thanks, so glad you enjoyed the tour.

    Hi Gigi, thanks, oh I could live in that garden or just around the corner anyway.

    Hi Turquoisemoon, thanks, isn't it just the most wonderful thing to appreciate plants who require so little and give so much.

    Hi Ms. Sparrow, thanks, oh this trip was so worth it for sure.

    Hi Trish, thanks, oh I hope the photos did warm you up a bit, plants are good for dreaming.

    Hi Michele, thanks, the weather can be so different not too many miles away. I do hope folks warm up a bit after such a cold onslaught.

    Hi Vicki, thanks, oh yes private open gardens are great to visit too the bonus is speaking to the person whose garden it is and hearing of their passion for plants.

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I love suggestions, questions, critiques, thanks for your comment