Plants & Place – Longwood Gardens & Anthuriums

On February 16, 2016 By TimelessladyIn Place, Plants22 Comments

Winter Joy is standing beneath this enormous display of anthuriums. The basket of tropical blooms is hanging from the ceiling of the Longwood Gardens Conservatory in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. In the midst of winter, what a blessing it is to have this lovely garden within an hour’s drive of my home.

An extra dose of winter joy awaited me as I browsed in the visitor center gift shop. The same anthuriums, probably grown in overabundance for the display, were on sale for a fantastic price…$6.50 for an 18 inch plant covered in bloom. JOY!

Phlowers – Anticipation/Flowers on Friday

On December 4, 2015 By TimelessladyIn Phlowers4 Comments

SOON…!

Amaryllis blossoms opening in the Longwood Garden Conservatory.

Amaryllis Care

Place – Conservatory Gridlock/Longwood Gardens

On September 19, 2015September 18, 2015 By TimelessladyIn Photo Challenge at Wordpress, Photographs, Place2 Comments

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Grid.” This week, let’s take the humble grid out of the shadows, and make it the star.”

When I think of grids I think of conservatories. My favorite public garden is a perfect subject for this week’s Daily Post photo challenge. Most often, the flowers and plants are the stars of my visits to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. This post features the bones, or the grids, that hold the thousands of glass panes in place.

You will find grids and grates wherever you look in the Longwood Gardens conservatory. The fragility of the flowers and foliage is protected by the strength of the metal, while the glass panes let in the life-giving light.

The view looking up reveals even more grids and glass.

Grids are used outdoors also as a support for vines and other plants. This is a row of spectacular clematis vines that were on display this year.

Steel grids and cement are the base for the reconstruction of the fountains that is going on at this time. Take a look at the Online Fountain Exhibit at Longwood Gardens.

Photograph – What’s the Rest of the Story?

On July 21, 2015July 20, 2015 By TimelessladyIn Photo Challenge at Wordpress10 Comments

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Half and Half.”This week, let’s split our photos in two.

I enjoyed taking part in this photo challenge. Here’s a bit of a game, guess what the other half of my photographs might be, and then scroll down and see how close you were to the correct answer.

What is missing in the photo of a frog?

Why his frog buddy of course!

What will you find if you follow this railroad trestle bridge across a Southern New Jersey salt marsh?

A terrific waterway for crabbing.

What are these two ladies creating that requires so much concentration?

They are creating a floral masterpiece in the Longwood Gardens Conservatory.

Place & Pond – Longwood Gardens and Canna Plants

On July 18, 2015July 19, 2015 By TimelessladyIn Place, pond12 Comments

Longwood Gardens Cannas Plant Growing In Conservatory — Longwood Gardens Canna Plant Growing In Conservatory

On a fine June day this year, my husband and I visited Longwood Gardens.

We enjoyed walking around the outdoor water gardens. The water lilies grown at Longwood are spectacular.

The large platter-like water lily pads are called Giant Victoria Water Lilies. The lily pads in the photograph are only beginning their growth. By the end of the growing season they will be six feet across.

Lotus Flower and Cannas in Water Gardens

While we admired the water gardens I noticed that the pond had cannas plants growing in the water. (The cannas are in the distance, the yellow plants in the background) Up to that point I didn’t know cannas would grow in water. I immediately envisioned them in my pond, and happily, found one on sale at a local fruit stand.

My garden pond cannas blooming. — My garden pond canna blooming.

I took the canna home, weighed it down with rocks, and was delighted that all seemed well. My smile of success soon disappeared when I checked later in the day and found that the plant had overturned, fouling the water with dirt and perlite. I scooped out what I could and took the canna out of the water. I found all the dirt had floated away. I decided to give the canna a try anyway and completely filled the pot with small and medium rocks. My canna has thrived. The yellow flowers have been blooming non-stop for about two weeks now. If you have a water feature in your yard, consider planting a canna plant.

That’s me sitting on the Longwood Gardens Queen Bee Throne. Seriously, I did not plan my outfit and sunglasses to match the throne so perfectly. Funny! I must be a bee at heart…if not a queen.

Photograph – Shadowland Selfie

On March 14, 2015March 14, 2015 By TimelessladyIn Photo Challenge at Wordpress, Photographs, Quirkiness23 Comments

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Wall.”

I love shadows on the walls. This week I wandered into an upstairs room and found my geraniums, backlit, and casting amazing shadows on the wall. Of course I had to enter into the Shadowland.

Adieu for today my friends!

Praise, Poetry & Phlowers – Daffodils Part I

On March 8, 2015March 8, 2015 By TimelessladyIn Phlowers, Poetry, Praise12 Comments

“So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.” ~ Hosea 6:3

Longwood Daffodils — Longwood Gardens Conservatory Daffodils

“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” ~ Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDFnERzDzaE

And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.”
~ William Wordsworth, I Wander’d Lonely as a Cloud

“Symbolizing rebirth and new beginnings, the daffodil is virtually synonymous with spring. Though their botanic name is narcissus, daffodils are sometimes called jonquils, and in England, because of their long association with Lent, they’re known as the ‘Lent Lily.'” ~ Teleflora

Photograph – Green & Graven Symmetry

On February 13, 2015February 13, 2015 By TimelessladyIn Photo Challenge at WordpressLeave a comment

Symmetry – “For this challenge, share an image of symmetry. Don’t limit yourself to architecture — you can bend this theme in any way you’d like.”

Symmetry – the quality of being made up of exactly similar parts facing each other or around an axis.

Bird’s Nest Fern – Longwood Gardens Conservatory

This beautiful Bird’s Nest fern while not being perfect in its symmetry, is still a good example of a plant growing in a symmetrical manner. Growing a Bird’s Nest Fern is easy. The plant is more resilient against dry conditions than the more feathery ferns. An added plus is a Bird’s Nest Fern is a low-light plant.

Another example of symmetry is a gravestone. This one, weathered by years, wind and sea salt can be found in the graveyard on Block Island, RI.

Phlowers – Flowers on Fridays/Longwood Gardens Conservatory in January

On January 23, 2015January 22, 2015 By TimelessladyIn Phlowers13 Comments

Plant – Anthurium

On November 12, 2014November 13, 2014 By TimelessladyIn PlantsLeave a comment

I have long admired the anthurium plants displayed each year in the Longwood Garden Conservatory in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. I have a small anthurium with red heart-shaped flowers, although in reality, according to horticulture experts, what we call a flower is a spathe.

I’ve always hoped to run across a pink and green Anthurium, and recently I was lucky enough to find one to purchase. The plant is lovely and growing well in my living room. It receives strong morning sunlight and seems to be adapting well to life in my home.

Culture Tips for Anthuriums

Give Anthuriums a try for a bit of tropical beauty indoors.

Photograph & Phlowers – Wordless Wednesday/Blue Poppies/Longwood Gardens

On March 19, 2014March 16, 2014 By TimelessladyIn Phavorites, Phlowers6 Comments

Peace – Longwood Gardens

On December 28, 2013December 28, 2013 By TimelessladyIn Peace1 Comment

Longwood Gardens is a place that brings me a beautiful peace. If you are on the East Coast near Philadelphia try to visit this beautiful conservatory.

I wanted an instrumental song to highlight my Longwood Gardens slide show, but didn’t want to infringe on any copyrights. Youtube and Daniel Otsuka solved the dilemma for me. Through a program on Youtube called audio swap I was able to use one of Mr Otsuka’s beautiful songs to accompany my slide show. I couldn’t have found a better song in my own collection. Enjoy.

Plants – Himalayan Blue Poppy

On December 11, 2013 By TimelessladyIn PlantsLeave a comment

Every year, usually during the first week of March, Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, displays collections of Himalayan Blue Poppies. (Meconopsis betonicifolia ) These poppies are difficult to grow, but some instructions can be found here: How to grow Himalayan Blue Poppy . I love these flowers. They are truly sky blue with delicate and fragile petals. If you see them once they will be forever in your heart.

Plants – Anthurium

On April 29, 2013April 28, 2013 By TimelessladyIn PlantsLeave a comment

A few months ago, on the supermarkets “salvage” plant stand, I found an Anthurium plant. It didn’t have a bloom, but the leaves alone were beautiful, apple green with pink tinging the veins. I was thrilled to find it.

Through the winter the plant grew steadily, and this past week a beautiful bloom unfurled.

Here is a bit of history of Anthurium plants, and a how-to article on how to grow them.

Anthurium

How to Grow an Anthurium

This year Longwood Gardens had a lovely display of Anthuriums. I am hoping to one day locate one of these pink beauties to grow in my own home.

Perspective & Phavorites – Blue Monday

On April 1, 2013March 31, 2013 By TimelessladyIn Perspective, PhavoritesLeave a comment

A blue mood can sometimes take hold after the joy of a holiday. Today I am giving into the blueness and delighting in the many shades of azure I was able to enjoy in the Longwood Gardens Conservatory on Sunday. What an array of tones we found there, from the sky blue of Forget-Me-Nots and Himalayan Poppies, through the deep purple-blue of Spring Pansies. These blues lift my spirit. I hope they lift yours too!

Artists and Crafters: Please feel free to make use of these photographs as reference for painting, projects, etc.

This beautiful blue poppy is almost spent, but in it’s last hours the petals are at their most beautiful as they become tinted with softest pink before dropping from the plant.

I thought this bed of blue flowers was incredibly lovely, a gorgeous mix of hydrangeas, cineraria and Himalayan poppies.

I am always entranced by the buds of the poppies too.

Who can resist smiling back at these joyful pansy faces?

Plant – Bird of Paradise

On February 26, 2013 By TimelessladyIn PlantsLeave a comment

About this time of year I really need the sunshine, and this Bird of Paradise flower, and the many other blooms in the Longwood Gardens Conservatory, brought a bit of brightness into the cold winter days.

Plantings – Longwood Garden’s Square Foot Gardens

On January 30, 2013January 28, 2013 By TimelessladyIn Planting3 Comments

While walking through the Longwood Garden’s conservatory I came upon this amazing raised bed planting box. It brought to mind Mel Bartholomew and Square Foot Gardens. I didn’t see any labeling of the box, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Square Foot Gardening technique was what the gardeners had planned. The box held a magnificent display of swiss chard, brussel sprouts and parsley. If I ever have a big greenhouse you can be sure I will grow vegetables throughout the winter in just this way.

To read more about Square Foot Gardening check out their website and visit all the links. Square Foot Gardening

Proverbs & Place – Conquering Winter Blues

On January 28, 2013January 27, 2013 By TimelessladyIn Place, Proverbs1 Comment

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” I Peter 5:7

Banishing wintertime blues and anxieties can be as easy as visiting a local garden, a nearby park or arboretum. Even a quick walk or bike ride around the neighborhood does me good in the winter. Saturday was a perfect day to visit one of my favorite gardens, Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. The sight of God’s beautiful flowers in the conservatory was the perfect prescription for my hunger for green.

Check back tomorrow for a slideshow of my favorite flowers in the Longwood Conservatory.

Painting – Acrylics/Sunflowers Part I

On November 25, 2012November 25, 2012 By TimelessladyIn PaintingLeave a comment

Longwood Gardens Sunflowers

This sunflower photograph was pleasing, but pointing in the wrong direction, I flipped it in my photo workshop, and added it to my final composition. I will have to be careful that I don’t misrepresent the direction of the shadows when I begin to paint.

I am very new at painting with acrylics. I have painted with watercolors for well over twenty years, and I still plan to use this medium in the future, but I have been enjoying the boldness and opaque qualities of acrylics.

To start I coated the 18 x 24 inch canvas with a layer of gesso. I don’t have as large a palette of colors with acrylics and used a combination of cobalt blue and ultramarine blue to begin painting the sky.

I had a good time creating the clouds. In watercolor the use of white is taboo. You must save portions of the paper completely without color to give the effect of white. This can be difficult and one loose drop of paint can spoil the effect you are attempting to achieve.

In acrylics, the whites are opaque, and produce good coverage. I was able to actually enjoy painting the clouds, and painted exuberantly, rather than holding my hand and creativeness in check.

I blended the cobalt blue into the white at the bottom of the clouds to give them some stability and shadow. I used medium extender to keep the paint wet longer, giving me more time to move it around.

I will update the progress of the painting in a few days. So far I am pleased with the progress.

Plant – Sunflower Sunday

On September 16, 2012September 1, 2025 By TimelessladyIn PlantsLeave a comment

Longwood Gardens was ablaze with the glory of sunflowers this week. A friend and I visited and strolled through the idea garden where these beauties are growing. To my fellow artists and crafters: Please feel free to use these photographs as a reference for your paintings or projects. Happy painting and crafting.