Lens-Artists Challenge #311 – What’s in a Garden?

/ Leya

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.”

– William Shakespeare

The quote is used to state that the names of things do not affect what they really are. There are so many ways to look at a garden, so, my idea is to see what You have found, what You see – at home or anywhere in the world. Everything from your window sill to a big park – to me they are all gardens. And what we have in them, is all up to us! I guess something that brings you harmony, makes you smile, makes your world a bit easier to live in. So – What’s in a Garden? Feel free to use any meaning of the word – or create your own!

You who follow me surely know, and will not be surprised, that I am a romantic and thus English gardens have got all the ingredients I dream of. Everything from lush flowers, plants, trees and hedges, to walled gardens, ponds, statues, old stones and ruins.

Much gardening to do in these, but tiny gardens like the next three ones are easily managed and still bringing much joy!

A canal boat and an atrium found in England, and a Hobbit house with a tiny garden found in New Zealand.

Fruit and insects are essential to a sustainable garden.

As I visited Japan earlier this year, I know they have many kinds of gardens. Some of them are minimalist dry gardens – Zen gardens (with open areas of gravel and stones) -, others are walking gardens, flower gardens, bamboo gardens, bonsai gardens…All of them meticulously well kept. Their aesthetics are comprised of a set of ancient ideals (wabi sabi is one of them) and considered as an integral part of daily life.

Three of the essential elements used to create a Japanese garden, (and many of our western gardens too) are stone, which form the structure of the landscape; water, representing life-giving force; and plants, which provide the color and changes throughout the seasons. You also often find bridges, water falls and stepping stones.

We are looking forward to seeing what You have found, and don’t forget to tag your post Lens-Artists when you link to my original post.

Thank you to Patti for her wisely Zigzaging us through last week, and next week again, Sofia will be our host. Please visit her inspirational site for more!

200 reaktioner på ”Lens-Artists Challenge #311 – What’s in a Garden?”

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  3. A. wonderfully fun post with your signature love of all things lovely in a garden. For me, the Hobbit House says: ”come in stay awhile.” And then I wonder if I will fit. So much beauty and creativity in all this gardens. Thank goodness for gardens. For those of us who love them, they are a respite for our soul. Love ya…

    Svara

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  9. Ann Christine, I am so sorry it has taken so long to get my act together to participate in a Lens-Artists challenge. Thank you for this topic which inspired me. Even more inspiring are your photos. You have visited some truly magnificent gardens and you have managed to capture the grandeur and miniaturae so artistically. Breathtaking!

    Svara

  10. (This is my third attempt: I’m logged in and could like the post but not post a comment.)
    I’m late and have to scroll a looong way to make a comment! Wonderful photos, Ann-Christine.
    I don’t think I have ever seen a double flower Wisteria, it looks phenomenal. We often visit grand English gardens, always a treat to see.
    xx

    Svara

    • Thank you, Dina – I so appreciate it when you are here! I understand you love Sissinghurst and visit when you can. I would wish to as well – too far away though. Thank you again for commenting♥

      Svara

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  47. What gorgeous inspiration for us this week, AC! I know how much you love gardens and how you have lovingly cultivated your own. It’s impossible to pick my favorite images, but I must say that the Japanese gardens are truly stunning–especially that tree with purple blooms (wisteria?) I’ve picked 3 gardens which I love–in 3 different countries! I see that your theme has generated a lot of posts! Enjoy your floral inspiration this week!

    https://pilotfishblog.com/2024/08/13/lens-artists-challenge-311-whats-in-a-garden/

    Svara

    • Thank you, Patti! I am greatly enjoying the floral gardens (and others!) ! Visiting gardens is wonderful, inspirational and everything…but in the end I usually realise that I will not be able to do so much about the garden I already have. I wish I had had the time when I was younger – and the interest! Now the changes has to be small. Maybe another tree, bush or flower only.
      Loved yours!

      Svara

      • Yes…too little time and too little space to expand the garden. I hope you’re enjoying the space in your glass house. It gives you more room for your plants!

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  59. Beautiful. Gardens are close to your heart I know. But the idea of a romantic garden carries over, in a sense, to Japanese gardens. It also struck me that if you are a gardener, or even just love gardens, wabi sabi is a philosophy that you have to live with. Plants grow, they die. Trees grow taller and block out certain views. Others open up. It is hard to impose a vision that remains consistent over centuries.

    Here is mine for today: https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2024/08/12/fifty-shades-of-green/

    Svara

    • Thank you – and yes, wabi sabi is ever present. Thank you for your comment, and I feel lush and wild take turns in fascinating with the more strict and planned. In everything.

      Svara

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  63. Lovely images. I particularly like the ruined wall overcome with plant life. I find it just as attractive as your flower images.

    (For whatever reason, I didn’t receive the email notification to your new challenge and I picked it up via another follower. When I finally came to your new challenge (via someone else) it wouldn’t allow me to comment, so today, I’ve re-followed to see if that works. Seems to happen to me quite often, so it’s not just your WordPress blog).

    Svara

    • Thank you, Vicki. I agree about overgrown ruined walls – they are gorgeous. I’d love to have one in my own garden!
      Sorry for the trouble finding me, I know other bloggers who didn t show up in the reader either. Happy you didn’t give up on it!

      Svara

  64. Lovely post, Ann-Christine! You’ve inspired me to visit our local college Horticultural Research Gardens in Fargo. Your post reminded me it’s a great time of year to visit a garden, any garden!

    Svara

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  68. Such a beautiful post Ann-Christine – your images are glorious! I would love to visit any and all of these amazing places but suspect your photographs will be my only chance to see them. The good news is that you’ve captured them so perfectly I suspect they’re about as close as one can get without actually being there. A wonderful challenge presented perfectly.

    Svara

    • Thank you, Tina, for loving this! You know the theme is close to my heart, and I hope to see many interesting posts with different take ons. Thank you for the high praise of my photos too – means much to me.
      AC

      Svara

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  83. Taking advantage of the vacation time, I have taken a look at the blog and I wanted to say hello to my friends at Lens-artist. I have found this wonderful and refreshing topic, which helps a little to bear the fourth heat wave that we are enduring in Spain, thanks Ann-Christine. I will see if I can prepare something quickly to participate.

    Svara

  84. Such a suitable challenge to come from you, and of course, beautifully introduced. We’re travelling for much of the week, so I really doubt if I can join in. But I’ll make time to look at everyone else’s offerings.

    Svara

  85. OMG I love love love this challenge. It is so good Ann-Christine. Thank you so much.

    I love your photos too. I would love to visit some English gardens, but don’t think that will ever happen. The idea of the walled garden is so appealing and always makes me think of the Secret Garden. Brilliant post.

    Svara

    • Thank you! So glad you resonated with this one! Of course this theme is close to my heart, so I am very much looking forward to seeing everyone’s choices. I know we are in for a treat with yours!

      Svara

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  96. hello a. c.,

    hello a. c.,

    a wonderful theme that I really like, as I find hamburg’s gardens very interesting, especially in övelgönne.
    i like your pictures very much. especially the first 4 and the japanese gardens the 8th picture.
    here is my contribution to the challenge, https://wp.me/pfnz9O-qM.

    many greetings robert

    Svara

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    • Thank you, Sofia, glad if it made you feel better after the rain! Is it still raining? We had some great showers, but it has calmed down again today. I know summers in Scotland and England can be very rainy. We were lucky two weeks ago!

      Svara

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  114. Oh such beautiful gardens from around the world Ann-Christine. Isn’t it amazing that we can share beautiful places through our posts. I bet there’s more beauty to come. This is a great challenge.

    Svara

  117. Dear Ann-Christine,
    the archetypal garden is the Paradise. Everyone has a different idea what their paradise looks like. We very much the Japanese Zen gardens with raked gravel and stones. But we have a normal modern kind of carefree English garden, a mixture of highly cultivated and wild.
    Thanks for your fine pictures and text
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Svara

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