Taking in Life Around Me.....#Sundaystills : How does your garden grow?

This #sundaystills challenge is hosted by Terri from Second Wind Leisure. It's a great themed photography challenge that you'll enjoy. I love seeing the other participants interpretation of the theme each week...it causes me to think outside the box. I joined in hopes of it pushing me to get out and take more photos...I have to some degree, but I also like that Terri is okay with us finding photos in our archives, which is also a lot of fun. So check out my photos and then head over to Terri's page to participate or visit other's posts. There are some awesome contributors who always inspire me.

When I thought about it be national garden month, and the theme for this weeks #sundaystills, the song "Garden Party" popped in my head. I don't think I've ever been to a garden party, but I would enjoy it. 

When it comes to gardens I lean more towards a cottage garden style, kind of chaotic, full of a mixed variety, no order needed. My hubby likes order. We have to find a compromise...haha. 

While I don't currently have a garden...I have visited some in the past few years and even found some of when I DID have a garden. There are a few botanical gardens near me that I want to visit. 

I have planted some strawberries and herbs in this tower and I'm hoping they all do well. 

While at the Farmers market the other day we bought this lemon tree. This variety will actually grow well here in the northwest and can remain outside most of the year except in the few months that our temps on this side of the mountains drop below 30, than it needs to be brought inside. I'm kind of excited to see how it goes. 

While in Hood River, I spotted this pretty garden behind an antique store we usually visit. I loved it. There were ski poles for stakes, and other quirky things. 

This garden plot above was a school garden in the town my daughter lives in. My grandson and I were exploring it last summer when we were at an event.  I love the idea of schools having gardens. Many of them have produce stands outside the school for the community. 

Last November we went to Durant Farms in Oregon. They are known for their olive oils mostly, but their grounds were stunning and I'd love to go back and see the gardens in full bloom.

More gardens on our day trip to Hood River. So much beauty. If I was by myself, (or with a fellow shutterbug), I could spend hours here. 

The Butchart Gardens were definitely on my bucket list. On our trip, however, my hubby was not feeling his best so we didn't take as long as we might have if he was feeling better. 

They are open year round, and are always continually planting. I can't remember the number of annuals they plant each year. This operation is quite impressive. 

I loved the different gardens and found some fascinating plants. This was the Italian garden pavilion. 

Part of the Japanese gardens above and the rose garden below. I didn't linger in the rose garden as it was packed with people and the paths weren't very wide.

Just look at this...I would go back again and make an entire day of it. 

Outside the Empress hotel in Victoria, the grounds are so pretty with flower borders.

Finding tulip fields is another favorite of mine. One of my favorite spring flowers. 

On Anderson Island, they have a large community garden that is beautiful and HUGE. Maybe someday I'll have my own garden again. 

My container flowers. They are looking a bit bare this year. I need to get some plants to put them. 

The Ft. Worth Botanical Gardens are worth the visit. So many stunning displays. 

The Cottage Garden in Switzerland was so pretty, filled with such a variety of gorgeous flowers. And that view! 

I'm so excited for butterflies! The first one was on a butterfly bush at someones home. I would love to have a butterfly bush. I've heard they have dwarf versions. I've also read that they are considered invasive here in the PNW. The second one was on one of my flowers. 

Above: Years ago I was doing container gardening when the deer just kept eating all my stuff in my garden. I haven't done containers in awhile (at least ones with veggies). I need to do it again. At least a little bit. 

There was a time I did have a garden...above. It did pretty good..but after our neighbors moved and took their horses and dogs, the deer came back and began eating things. If I do another garden, it will need to be fenced. 

In Hood River there is a lavender farm, that it just so pretty. I haven't been back in a few years..I need to remedy that. 

I enjoyed visiting the garden at Magnolia in Waco. 

When we were in Hawaii, I went and visited the Koko Head Botanical Gardens. Now, I was there in February and there wasn't much in bloom...I guess because it was warm I assumed there would be a lot of things in bloom. There was some unique trees though. 

In our town we have the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens. Every May there is a Lilac Days where the gardens open and you can tour the house as well. It is so beautiful. 

Outside of Fort Vancouver there are beautiful gardens where guests are welcome to meander and enjoy! 

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin