Walking in the Rain

I would like to show you my favorite place:)

A creek runs in my neighborhood, where we can enjoy various flowers.

Although it was a rainy day, I walked there to see hydrangeas along the stream.

Umm... where are they...?

Oh, here they are!!!

It was a little bit annoying to take pictures putting an umbrella up, though...ahaha...

This creek is a little bit famous for spot-billed duck parent and children.

borrowed the image

 

I think color of the each flower looks vivider in the rain...

We are in the middle of rainy season...

But it was a pleasure walking along this creek to see the seasonal flowers and ducks:)

Do you have any amusements on rainy days?

Thank you for stopping by!

Hydrangea Temple

In Japan, the rainy season has set in, which means that we can enjoy hydrangeas in full bloom.






We visited Hasedera Templ in Kamakura City, about 1-hour train-ride from Tokyo.





It is known as a Hydrangea Temple.

About 2,500 of hydrangeas are being planted in a steep‐sided hill, which makes a magnificent scenery.

Kamakura is known as one of the most famous ancient cities in Japan, as with Kyoto, and has a lot of old temples.

You can see this 'Kamakura Daibutsu', Great Buddha, in Kotokuin Temple.

 The Great Buddha is some 11.3 meters tall and weighs around 121 tons.

Although this statue is being designated a National Treasure by the Japanese government, it sits outdoors.

Don't you think that the national asset can suffer rain and wind damage?

It originally sat indoors.

 It is said that the tsunami (seismic sea wave) occurred in 1495, destroyed the building that housed it, resulting in the open-air statue seen today.

We think this statue suites the blue sky:)

Thank you for stopping by!

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day - June 2016

With the early start to spring, I thought that the flowers might be getting sparser by mid-June, but that hasn't happened. 

Annabelle

Continuing from last month, Veronicas are still filling the garden with pale pink color.

Veronica 'Fairytale'

Geranium 'Rozanne'

Clematis are now the main flowers instead of roses in my garden.

Clematis 'Blue Angel'

Clematis 'Mary Rose'

Clematis 'Romantika'

Some of the roses are still flowering, though:)

Rose 'Kizuna'

Rose 'Old Fantasy'

My favorite scene is here...

Living in an apartment, I enjoy gardening in our balcony.

These sedums and polygonums put down their roots into a narrow space between the tiles and bricks paved on the concrete floor.

Polygonum

Polygonum is flowering here, which makes me feel impressed by its vitality:)

Although I am saying good bye to spring, there are many gardeners who are just now welcoming beautiful flowers into their gardens. Please visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens to see what's blooming in other gardens from around the world.


Thank you for stopping by!

Climbing Rose

Rose season is about to end around here...

This spring, I visited many places especially to see roses, because I've been thinking about getting more  climbing roses to my garden..

I went to Yokohama English Garden and looked for the good one...

'Paul's Himalayan Musk' looked lovely!  But I was wondering its flowers would bloom for a short period of time...

Then I found the one emitted sweet odor...

Its name was 'Sanders White'.  I want white roses, so, this has become one of the candidates:)

 I also visited my friend who loves white flowers.

She recommended me 'Iceberg" which was climbing up a pergola in her garden.

The rose I want is...

- Climbing rose

- White flower

- Small or Medium-sized flower

- Disease-resistant

- Strong fragrance

Oh...is it too acquisitive? ahaha...

If you know the good one, please let me know!

Thank you for stopping by:)

Dried Lavender

There are various kinds of lavender, which one is in your garden?

My favorite is  "English Lavender".

Every morning, I cut off some of them just prior to come into bloom.

To produce the dried lavender in a better shape, cutting them when their buds are about to burst is one of the keys to success, I guess.

The leaves separated from the stems are to put in a sheer paper back.

Putting it in my pillow, I drift off into a peaceful sleep:-) 

Let's hang them in an airy place...

Love this antique lace ribbon:-)

A couple of days later, let's decorate them...

with a handmade wire craft...

I'm wondering where the next batch should be...:)

Having a sweet smell, I feel a small happiness every morning to do this short time work:-)

Thank you for stopping by!