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.