Tuesday 21 April 2009

Woodland Light

I am entranced with the light in the Woodland Garden.



On some days clear sunlight illuminates the blooms, outlining each bejewelled twig.

When mist enfolds the wood, the camellia shines softly.

*
Today the evening sun dapples the undergrowth. Tiny curls reach up, unfurling to the spring summons.


A glowing woodland crown waits hidden beneath the trees.




Daffodils dance round the radiant Prunus.


*
The path is golden.


34 comments:

Diane AZ said...

Beautiful, joyful images of the Woodland Garden. The ferns and daffodils captivate me.

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Diane. The Woodland Garden is a very joyful place!

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

What beautiful photos! They really capture the mood of your words. I love all the color, but also the brown of unfurling ferns!

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Monica. I love ferns too - they are so subtle, and sculptural.

Prospero said...

My favorite is the first camellia shot. What an enchanted forest. I wish I could grow camellias here but they require acid soil... and all I have is this chalky limestone!

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Prospero. The woodland garden does have an enchanted feel to it!

Would you be able to grow camellias in large containers where you are?

Lona said...

What wonderful photographs.I also love the way light and shadows makes things appear. The way it angles against the red blooms is wonderful and behind the ferns to light them up.The camellia's brighten the misty garden scene.

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

What beautiful pictures. It's amazing how lighting can really make things look so different.

Phoenix C. said...

Many thanks, Hocking Hills Gardener!

The lie of the land in the Woodland Garden emphasizes the angles of the light.

I always think camellias have a slightly misty look to them and find overcast days bring out their specialness.

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Catherine. I've always been fascinated with light and shade.

Rob (ourfrenchgarden) said...

Isn't this the best time of year in the woods?

Unfurling croziers and all those plants flowering before the canopy cuts the light.

Lovely post

Rob

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

Oh wow to your camellias! Just perfect. Thank you for your comment on mine too.

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Rob! It is indeed a lovely time in the woods, when there is a lovely feeling of energy of things growing.

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Elizabethm - I do love camellias!

Red Clover said...

Captivating! Loved your pictures, and am so glad you posted them! What was that first one? So beautiful.

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Red Clover! I will check out which Rhododendron the first one is when I'm next at the Botanic Garden.

Woodland Fay said...

Thank you for Woodland Light from a woodland fay. I loved the camellias and ferns, I have dedicated a little area to the same at the shaded southern end of my garden, where the full sun only reaches over the high hedge at mid summer. Your photographs are a spur to get me down there in the early morning light. So well observed and blogged, like a sylvan dream.

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you so much, Woodland Fay! I really appreciate your comment.

Your shaded garden area sounds interesting - hope to see some photos of the early morning light.

Rune Eide said...

It looked like a terrific place to visit with a camera. The quality of the light is so important.

PS Thank you for your interest! My post on benches next Friday may for various reasons be on this blog http://visualnorwayextended.blogspot.com/

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you RuneE. I will visit, and will be looking at benches this week!

lynn'sgarden said...

Hi Phoenix, I love that first photo of the Rhody! Ours are still in tight buds. I wish I could grow camellias in the garden. My "trial" did not make it through this past winter..bummer! Thanks for the visit!
Lynn

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Lynn!

I have no camellias in my own garden, ( the Woodland Garden is at the Botanic Garden), because of the soil, but am wondering whether to try one in a pot some time. We have an Azalea 'Klondyke' in a tub, which always does beautifully - it's in bud now, so I'll photo it when in bloom!

Pondside said...

No camellias here, and the rhodos are just beginning to open up in the sunniest places....but they're still tightly closed in the woods. That was a lovely break in a busy morning!

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Pondside! I'm glad you enjoyed your break here!

v said...

Camelia, like a rose, adds beauty to a garden. Come to think of it, any flowers do the same thing, right? Hmmm ...

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Lili11. You are right - and I guess everyone has their favourite flowers which they plant, or seek out in gardens.

Barbara Martin said...

Pink is a colour that refreshes me in the spring. All the photos are wonderful, especially the last one of the lane and the gate at the end. I can see the beginnings of a story...

Anna said...

What a magical spot - I enjoyed the journey through the woodland. Thank you !

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Barbara! There are many delights beyond the gate on the lane. A story? That would be interesting to do!

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Anna - it is a magical place with fresh surprises every day.

Aiyana said...

That last photo makes me want to take a walk down the lane and see what's beyond the gate. Just beautiful!
Aiyana

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Aiyana! It is that sort of place, where one always wants to see round the next corner, through the next gate, and beyond.

Bim said...

This is such a lovely series of photos. You have captured the light on the ferns and camellias beautifully, indeed.

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you so much Bim, I really appreciate your comment!