Saturday, August 4, 2012

Fernwood Fan

My idea of a vacation is to find the nearest botanical garden to my vacation spot, and visit there. Doesn't matter where I go, if there's a garden nearby, I'll find it. So it's rather surprising to me that I haven't visited Fernwood Botanic Gardens in Niles Michigan for so many years. My hometown of St. Joe is only a half hour away, and I visit there every year. So this time I finally made it down to Fernwood. What a treat!
It was a drizzly, hazy kind of day, but it wasn't enough to keep me away.
But it was enough to keep me close to the visitor center.
I especially enjoyed this border, which didn't seem to have a name. I called it the bog garden. There was a small creek winding through here, and the plantings all looked so natural. Almost like they weren't even planned, yet artfully arranged nonetheless.
I especially liked this pennisetum planted with mouse garlic in between. So pretty and natural.
And this little living willow bridge really caught my eye.
 Found a couple of peaceful sitting spots. Wouldn't you like to curl up with a book here?
 The delightful train garden would surely have tickled the fancy of my small grandson. It's set up with a sensor to detect your presence, so that the train begins to move when you enter the area. What fun! 
Soon the rain became bothersome, so I went inside for a glass of delicious spiced iced tea and a cup of tortilla soup. It was such a peaceful, relaxing day. I can't wait to go back and explore further!

9 comments:

  1. Don't you go home with a bad case of I Want to do That? The gardens are beautiful. You had a good day.

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  2. It is always so much fun exploring new gardens. Looks like a wonderful garden Robin.

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  3. Hi Robin,

    Great piece! Thanks so much for your visit. I'm a horticulturist with Fernwood and also responsible for the border you were drawn to. It's actually called the Stream Side Border, and was planted and renovated last season with the help of our high school horticulture interns.

    So glad you enjoyed your visit. Hope to see you back very soon!

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  4. It's a lovely garden. That Stream Side border was quite lovely too. Lots of textures. I think my favorite spot to enjoy it all would have to be from that charming sitting area in the next to the last picture. That really stole my heart.

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  5. So wunderful pics! What a wonderful Botanic Garden! I would also visit it again and again.

    Thanks for dropping by! Of course did I see your sunset pics, I wrote a comment ;-)
    It's me
    Meggie from "Colors in my life"

    Enjoy your vacation at the Michigan sea!!

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  6. This is such a pretty garden. I think reading a book in a garden is one of life's greatest pleasures! I just told my mother last week that I was out doing that and thinking what a joy it is to have our garden...it makes me smile.

    When you go to places like this, does it influence you to make changes or buy a new plant for your own garden Robin? I know I can never resist when I visit a castle garden near us.

    Hugs from Holland ~
    Heidi

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  7. I usually look for a garden when on vacation. You found a beauty.

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  8. What a beautiful garden! I especially love the bog garden and the train! You remind me of places not so far from me that I intend to visit but for some reason have not yet done so.

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  9. Robin girl this is a gorgeous place and it looked so peaceful and quiet .. not a lot of people that day I bet ? .. I love that bog garden and the willow bridge was really nice to see .. the train is a hoot ! kids would love that ..
    I had a chance to visit an amazing botanical garden when we were on the coast of Spain many years ago .. I was so sad when I saw graffiti actually carved into some of the plants .. it just broke my heart that some one had to destroy the beauty of them ..
    But we went on and tried to enjoythe rest of the gardens which were beautiful : )
    Joy

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