A little GREEN for y’all today and a first for me … I am sitting in a cafe! Yes, my first cafe-side created post. Today, a wonderful cafe called Green Sage Cafe in Asheville NC with many fresh, healthy ingredients on the menu – including GREEN Vegan/plant-based meals. I could get used to this.
We have been traveling for a week so please forgive my absence. I’m a little road weary but today and tomorrow we rest and plan to stretch our legs on a hike or two somewhere among this beautiful country side (Smoky Mountains) in search for the end of the rainbow and a pot o’ gold – Mojo will be oh, so grateful. He’s a good dog, but even a good dog has his limits! Thursday it is back on the road and finally home as we plan to arrive the first day of Spring. Spring is here (in Asheville)! Daffodils, forsythia, azaleas are in bloom. I know I will have awhile to wait once we arrive home so I’m soaking it up.
Not too long ago this lucky girl visited the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota FL, and I wanted to share some of the sights with you. Selby is known for its collection of epiphytes which includes many types of orchids. We began our venture right in the hot house! A beautiful collection of epiphytes contained within glass in ideal conditions. I’ll let the sights speak for themselves … (wish I could also share the scents and sounds of gently trickling water).
You might believe those orchids would steal the entire show, but no, I was won over by the pitcher plants. I have never seen some of these types and I was fascinated.
My favorite!
I was also entranced by some of the beautiful patterns of foliage – so much to see and absorb in just one trip. I’m not sure I’m giving these plants and gardens a fair show. There were so many names, plaques, plants that are/were new to me. So begins my education by simply, exposure. I dream of a tropical garden someday that never dies under a blanket of white – only shifts and transitions between blooms, exotic seed pods, large lush leaves.
Did I mention “exotic?” Wow. (CAUTION: some of this content may not be suitable for young children!)
There are so many layers to a garden. I find that I am now drawn to the forms of plants mainly because I have some scenes in my head that I want to paint on paper – all lush and large. Looking through my photos, one can tell; it’s not only in the flowers that I find interest. Believe it or not I used to own this very same plant as a houseplant – look at this root!
Look at these seed pods!
Then, of course there were trees to ogle over. You know me, I’m all about trees.
This tree was in full bloom – large, fist-sized red flowers.
The bark of a Gumbo Limbo tree.
Just one of a superb collection of Bonsai.
Not sure if this is a tree per say, but its form is certainly tree-like.
The magnificent roots of a Fig tree.
More roots – look at this network!
One of my favorites – Banyan tree.
Banyan tree.
Well, I hope you enjoyed these sights. I assure you Spring is on its way. The Robins are singing here. Soon, it will all creep further North. I hope to hurry it along and bring some home with me. I certainly picked up many great things this tour to reflect upon – best Winter I have ever had!
If you ever find yourself in Sarasota be sure to visit Selby but WARNING: they sell orchids! Imagine the restraint I had to use not to bring one of these beauties home (simply had to remind myself that I’m a plant murderer).
Orchids for sale at the Selby gift store …
The Violet Fern 
03/17/2015 at 1:48 pm
Kathy, thanks for todays blog. I love looking at the orchids an tropicals. I spend my winter in SW FL and love going to Lowes and Home Depot because they have wonderful garden centers full of orchids at GREAT prices. I usually get a few for the winter but I too am a plant killer so they usually don’t come north with me, but I do enjoy the blooms all winter. I am glad to hear NC is full of daffodils because we also stop there on our way home and I love the car ride home because I love seeing spring blooming all the way home. Have a fun safe trip back to The River. I hope to see lots of tropical art work from you this summer. Clayton’s farmers market is just a few months away.
03/18/2015 at 11:35 am
Thanks Elayne! I am scared to go home but looking forward to it at the same time. Can’t wait to start some seeds. I hope to paint this summer but gardening takes precedence – really want to get a small pond installed. Still, I am so inspired and full of ideas that I will have to let them out! Hmmm, I could pick up some orchids next year to enjoy and then stick them in the ground somewhere before coming home – or donate them to someone or someplace in Florida – thanks! Safe travels to you and see you at the River!
03/18/2015 at 1:35 pm
Kathy what a fabulous exotic garden…..enjoy the road. We have a foot of snow still and cold below normal temps predicted through next week.
03/22/2015 at 11:54 am
Hi Donna! Home! We have snow – quite a bit but Crocus are up and Daffodils are shooting up, too!
03/18/2015 at 8:45 pm
Amazing and wonderful place! Thanks so much for sharing it. Have a safe journey home and I hope you’re bringing spring temperatures with you! 😉
03/22/2015 at 11:55 am
Well, Eliza we have glorious sunshine today – still a little cool but I checked the temp in the greenhouse (still standing!) and it was 60°F!
03/20/2015 at 10:34 am
Home is calling … enjoy!
03/22/2015 at 11:56 am
Thank you Diana – everything still works and my car even started right up! I’ll be disappearing from winter again.