Lilac Season

There's a special section at the Descanso Gardens in La Canada that's devoted to lilacs.  Yes, a small forest of them.  All colors, sizes and shapes.  And they were all in bloom this weekend.  The aroma you smell walking among the young trees is overwhelming. 

"Lilac Season"     © Kathy Dunham 2011

Stop and Smell the Flowers

This cutie was having fun today enjoying the spring flowers at Descanso Gardens.  Tulips, daffodils, primroses, foxgloves and many more were in full bloom.  Definitely worth the trip this week.  Get there before they're gone.

"Stop and Smell the Flowers"       © Kathy Dunham 2011

White Purity

I usually make a pilgrimage each spring to visit Descanso Gardens in La Canada, CA. The tulips are in bloom, camellia bushes as big as trees are covered with flowers and the roses and irises are starting to strut their stuff. But this is the first time I've ventured to the gardens in the middle of summer. And was I surprised. There's been a lack of attention to the garden and things weren't looking to good. But I was able to spot these lilies hiding in a back corner. At least there was one joyous moment to my trip.

"White Purity" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Afternoon Delight

I spotted this beautiful camellia late one afternoon in Descanso Gardens (near Pasadena) and could feel the glow as the late day sun penetrated the petals. A winter/spring flower, the camellia doesn't grow too well in our desert climate. Thankfully I'm but a two hour drive to spectacular "forests" of this delightful flower in two venerable gardens. The Descanso and the Huntington Gardens both boast 30 foot tall groves of a wide variety of this dramatic blossom.

"Afternoon Delight" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Sweet Lilacs

I love lilacs in the spring and when I saw this shot tonight I could almost smell their fragrant aroma in the air. Descanso Gardens in La Canada (near Pasadena) has planted a lilac grove with as many varieties as would be happy in this climate. It's proving very successful and after three years they're really taking off. Take time next March to visit if you're in the area and smell the lilacs.

"Sweet Lilac" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Yukon Spirit

While in Skagway, Alaska several years ago, I was taken with the colorful bunting and flags flying above the station for the White Pass-Yukon Railway. This was the starting point for the big Yukon gold rush. The White Pass was steep, narrow and treacherous and the Canadian Mounties required anyone going to the gold fields over the pass to have 2,000 lbs. of food and other gear to sustain them once they made it over the top. This was a tough trip before the railroad was built and was usually carried or drug up the narrow pass, normally taking several trips to get everything to the top. Since today is Veterans Day, I thought the red, white and blue was appropriate.

"Yukon Spirit" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Afternoon in the Park

Whenever I'm in the Pasadena area I make it a point to visit Descanso Gardens. Located in La Canada, 10 minutes West of Pasadena, this lovely garden was once a private residence to a local newspaper publisher. Known for its rose and iris gardens, it also has a huge Camellia forest and a newly planted lilac area. It's a pleasant spot to spend an afternoon relaxing. I spotted this couple sitting on a bench, enjoying the day. My idea of a great way to unwind and smell the flowers.

"Afternoon in the Park" © Kathy Dunham 2008