Wednesday, 27 November 2013
Sunday, 24 November 2013
Sunday Selections #147
Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life. The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent. Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.
Like River, I generally run with a theme. Today I am going back to the Arboretum. It is also home to the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia (Penjing is the art of growing a miniature landscape in a pot or tray).
I am ambivalent about both bonsai and penjing. I do admire the artistry, and recognise the skill and dedication involved. Some of them are very beautiful. However, on the whole I would rather that the trees grew to their natural height and shapes. Tree torture keeps popping into my mind...
Here are some of the featured examples. (Click to embiggen.)
This is an Atlas Cedar and has been growing since the 1960s.
An African Olive - growing since the late 1980s
A Trident Maple - growing since 1989
A Japanese Garden Juniper - growing since 1967.
And a pair of Bonsai Bottlebrush .
And to finish on something I enjoyed without reservations. The visitors centre makes wonderful use of light and wooden beams. Here are a couple of photos of the interior.
The barrel like structures were showing information videos.
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life. The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent. Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.
Like River, I generally run with a theme. Today I am going back to the Arboretum. It is also home to the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia (Penjing is the art of growing a miniature landscape in a pot or tray).
I am ambivalent about both bonsai and penjing. I do admire the artistry, and recognise the skill and dedication involved. Some of them are very beautiful. However, on the whole I would rather that the trees grew to their natural height and shapes. Tree torture keeps popping into my mind...
Here are some of the featured examples. (Click to embiggen.)
And a pair of Bonsai Bottlebrush .
And to finish on something I enjoyed without reservations. The visitors centre makes wonderful use of light and wooden beams. Here are a couple of photos of the interior.
The barrel like structures were showing information videos.
Thursday, 21 November 2013
Our baby Arboretum
Today we went on a small outing. Something we have been meaning to
do for ages. It was a very grey day but the promised rain didn't happen
while we were out (or at least not more than a little incontinent
pigeon rain - splat, splat and it was gone).
We went to our National Arboretum, which was officially opened in February this year. Trees being slow growing, I will be long gone before it comes into its full glory, but I was excited to see the work already done and the promise it offers.
It is on a 250 hectare (620 acre) site, and was created after the area was burnt out in the Christmas 2001 and 2003 Canberra bushfires. Planting began in 2005 and it is now home to over 90 forests of rare, endangered and symbolic trees from Australia and around the world. Over 35 000 trees have been planted.
Many, many photos follow - which as always will embiggen if clicked upon. The forests are small, but they will grow and the location is beautiful. There is an amphitheatre - for concerts in the forest, walking trails, a cafe, restaurant and children's play area. Joy.
This is a California Fan Palm - and I loved the tendrils on each leaf.
The dragon trees are obviously dangerous - they were all caged.
The entrance to the Visitors Centre. I really liked the use of natural materials.
Detail from the railing at a look-out.
We went to our National Arboretum, which was officially opened in February this year. Trees being slow growing, I will be long gone before it comes into its full glory, but I was excited to see the work already done and the promise it offers.
It is on a 250 hectare (620 acre) site, and was created after the area was burnt out in the Christmas 2001 and 2003 Canberra bushfires. Planting began in 2005 and it is now home to over 90 forests of rare, endangered and symbolic trees from Australia and around the world. Over 35 000 trees have been planted.
Many, many photos follow - which as always will embiggen if clicked upon. The forests are small, but they will grow and the location is beautiful. There is an amphitheatre - for concerts in the forest, walking trails, a cafe, restaurant and children's play area. Joy.
This is a California Fan Palm - and I loved the tendrils on each leaf.
The dragon trees are obviously dangerous - they were all caged.
The entrance to the Visitors Centre. I really liked the use of natural materials.
Detail from the railing at a look-out.
Sunday, 17 November 2013
Sunday Selections #146
Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life. The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent. Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.
Like River, I generally run with a theme. And, just for a change, I am reverting to garden delights - things which are delighting me in the garden, and a wonderful bouquet I was given as part of an award. With luck, I will be able to give you something different next week.
As always, click to embiggen.
I fell in love with this Hippeastrum when I saw it in a garden pornography catalogue - and while it didn't bloom last year it has more than made up for it.
The first of our Christmas or Orchid Cacti to flower this year.
And the flowers from my bouquet. Aren't they gorgeous?
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life. The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent. Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.
Like River, I generally run with a theme. And, just for a change, I am reverting to garden delights - things which are delighting me in the garden, and a wonderful bouquet I was given as part of an award. With luck, I will be able to give you something different next week.
As always, click to embiggen.
I fell in love with this Hippeastrum when I saw it in a garden pornography catalogue - and while it didn't bloom last year it has more than made up for it.
The first of our Christmas or Orchid Cacti to flower this year.
And the flowers from my bouquet. Aren't they gorgeous?