One of the most difficult challenges in photography is capturing the essence of a garden. No matter how lovely the pictures are, they rarely evoke the same experience as being there in person. I’m in awe of photographers who do this for a living! And of course, no photograph includes the song of the birds, the buzz of the bees, the sweet scent of roses as you brush by them, the relief of cooler air as you move out of the sun onto a shady path…
One of my favorite views of the garden can be seen from an upstairs window in the house. I like to look out at the garden when I get up in the morning and see it at its freshest, before the heat of the day sets in.
Once the horses are looked after, I take a stroll around the yard and see what changes the new day has brought. Pictured above is Geraniium phaeum ‘Samobor‘ and catmint Nepeta x faassenii ‘Walker’s Low’.
The slanting rays of the morning sun offer softer lighting than the midday sun. Here are some of the first blooms of Morden Sunrise.
This view shows one of the garden’s three birdbaths, set off by Salvia “May Night” (Salvia nemerosa ‘Mainacht’). To the left is the Giant Fleeceflower (Persicaria polymorpha). It’s about five feet tall this year, and putting on a beautiful display. I hope that in another year or two, it will get to be another foot taller. To the right are daylilies, still a few weeks or a month away from their bloom time.
The old-fashioned shrub roses, ‘Dart’s Dash’ scent the air with a fragrance as beautiful as their brilliant flowers. Here, the roses are set off by the blue of False Indigo (Baptisia australis).
I’ve been keeping an eye out for a gnome to live in the garden for some time, and when I found this birdbath, I thought that this fellow would be just right for a shady spot at the edge of a garden path. I’ll close this post with a view of the path that leads into the garden from the driveway. You can spot the gnome just to the right of the path.
Willow House Chronicles 
Oh my gosh – me too! The bathroom window on the 2nd floor of my house overlooks the garden, and from there I brush my teeth – and generally get ready for work. I love the freshness of the morning too, and I even have a pair of binoculars to see up close what has bloomed – or see what the cats are up to.
I finally have a gnome of my own as well – my sister gave me a cute one just last week – and I’ll post a pic shortly on my blog. A lovely tour – great photos!
Wow! The garden is beautiful! All of your hard work is really paying off. (Like the gnome too.)
Anya, sounds like our gardening lives are in sync! I look forward to seeing some shots of your garden! And your new gnome.
Thanks, Deb. Can’t wait for daylily season.
Sheri — I like to view gardens in the early morning and at dusk. The colors seem so rich during those times. You are a serious gardener and it shows. You have a wonderful setting for your garden — love the dirt pathway photo at the end of your post. Great post — barbara
Thank you Barbara. I am fortunate indeed to have acquired this lovely plot. The pathway is actually wood shavings, with wood chip mulch bordering it. More on that soon!
I’m waiting for the 3-D camera to come out. I think that will go a loooong way in capturing the essence of things. I keep taking photos of the beautiful, gnarly oaks around here, but the photos are just too flat – they cannot display the oaks as my eyes see them.
That said, your garden is indeed lovely. I hope to turn my grassy expanse into similarly beautiful gardens one day.
Ellen, 3-D might be helpful! In the meantime, getting lighting just right seems to help the most. I look forward to seeing shots of your beautiful gardens in the future! Thanks.