ANOTHER SNOWSTORM, NO MORE SNOW PHOTOS

Photos from open gardens I visited in the summer in Washington, DC.  I can't wait, miss my gardens and flowers.

CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW - CREATING A DISPLAY FOR THE CITY OF DURBAN

Last year, I fulfilled a lifelong dream. Not only did I get to visit the Chelsea Flower Show in London, but I also spent two weeks as a volunteer worker on the spectacular display garden for the City of Durban, South Africa, done by the Durban Botanic Gardens. Although I now live in America, I flew in as a South African to help get my hands dirty.

Here are a few photographs I took showing an empty slate. Then a few of the actual teamwork involved in a project of this magnitude, the display coming together, the team, the Curator of the Durban Botanic Gardens, Chris Dalzell, being congratulated by Queen Elizabeth on the Silver Gilt award, and a few of the magnificent completed display garden. I got to meet the Queen, she is lovely.  Well done to all involved, and thanks for the memories.

And this year, Durban went on to win a Gold Medal, congratulations.

THE ORANGE OF AFRICA

Having been born and bred in South Africa, my heart still yearns for my trips back home. Mainly to see my family and very special friends, but then also the breathtaking scenery, the smell of the earth, the people. South Africa is rich in exquisite indigenous plants and flowers, some well known worldwide, others only treasured by those lucky enough to find them growing out in the wild. Some of my favourite orange flowers grow in the mountains of the Drakensberg, in the Kloof Gorge, the Durban Botanic Gardens, the Western Cape Coast and the Kirstenbosch Gardens. Here are just a few of the magnificent orange ones.