Brown Eyed Susan

Brown Eyed Suasan at Allen Centennial Gardens in Madison Wisconsin

Brown Eyed Susan © 2010 Bo Mackison

The flowers that are faithful bloomers in September bloomed in August, and now the fall flowers are blooming in September. The trees are beginning to turn. As I look out my studio window, the leaves that were green only a week ago are fading into a yellow-green and some are already bright yellow.

What are we going to have for color in October?

This Brown Eyed Susan was photographed last week at Allen Centennial Gardens on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison.

Lovin’ Yellow – Autumn Sunflower

Sunflower Photographed at Allen Centennial Gardens in Madison Wisconsin

Lovin’ Yellow © 2010 Bo Mackison

Another view – autumn is a comin’.

Photographed at Allen Centennial Gardens, the University of Wisconsin horticultural gardens, in Madison.

Red Bridge Reflection

Reflection in Pond at Allen Centennial Garden in Madison Wisconsin

Red Bridge Reflection @ 2010 Bo Mackison

Interesting colors towards the end of the day while visiting Allen Centennial Gardens on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison. Love the mix of bright colors – yellow-greens from the trees’ reflections, the bridge’s reflection in bright red, and the blue-green tinted lily pads.

Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise Photograph from Olbrich Gardens in Madison Wisconsin

Bird of Paradise @ 2010 Bo Mackison

I photographed this unusual flower, or at least this unusually named flower. I guess to someone, this flower looked like a bird. In Paradise, no less.

Supposedly it does resemble the real bird of paradise, a tropical bird found in New Guinea. Hmm. Paradise?

Photographed at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison Wisconsin.

Red Daylily – A Photo Visit in My Garden

Daylily in Garden
Red Daylily © 2010 Bo Mackison

I visit many botanical gardens.

I love botanical gardens, especially the ones where winding, almost secret paths lead from area to area. One minute I’ll be wandering in a rose garden, the next, in an alpine conifer garden, then a trip across a bridge brings me into the magical world of a Japanese Garden. I love all those grand sights, the vistas, the fragrance only a million roses in one garden can offer. But I am one of the lucky ones. I don’t have to go to a garden across town or across the state to get my flower fix for the day.

There are gardens surrounding my home that I lovingly tend.

I don’t live in the country, though a country home has been on my life list for decades. I don’t think it’s going to happen. We are too content in our home on the edge of the city. And after living here for nearly 25 years, the barren lot we purchased has been lovingly transformed into a luscious green space. The trees we planted back then now reach way beyond our roof. The gardens we planted with little bits of plants now mound high in the summer with bouquets of perennials. The rock garden is well established, as is the hosta garden. I have my little space of country here on the edge of the city.

I love tending my flower gardens, but I don’t take photographs as often as I might.

So for the next week or so I will offer a few photographs of my own gardens along with my favorite visiting garden spots.

Today’s flower is the lovely day lily, from a plant I transplanted from my grandfather’s garden in western Illinois more than 20 years ago.