"April prepares her green traffic light and the world thinks Go."

~Christopher Morley, John Mistletoe

I'm dedicating this entry to my blogging friend Sylvia. When she talks about flowers that she loves, it seems that hydrangeas rank the highest.

Please check out her blog,"Sylvia Cook Photography" for some of the most gorgeous floral images you will ever see. If you click the title, you will taken directly to her blog, or you can cut and paste this blog address.

http://sylviacookphotography.blogspot.com/

These photos were taken at Roger's Garden, in Orange County, California. This store is a gardener's dream. and it feels like Disneyland for gardeners. They have displays like no one else. Their spring arrangements were stunning, as they included gorgeous birds nests with colorful eggs.

And of course, their fuchsia hanging baskets were simply irresistible.

Enjoy springtime. Everything is certainly blooming in Southern California now.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

Here's a little music to accompany this poinsettia. It's Elvis, who I think is the rockin King of Christmas music!

Merry' Christmas Baby ~ Elvis
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtjY3X-8JVE

Orchids

Orchids , originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

I do believe Roger's Garden has the best orchid displays I have ever seen. It's a gardener / photographers paradise there. Click the title, and the link will take you to their website.

When I saw the distant orange wall behind these orchids, I couldn't believe my eyes. I knew that wall would be the perfect backdrop for these amazing flowers.

Purple Orchids

Purple Orchid, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

I finally made my way to Roger's Garden, in Corona Del Mar, California. The flowers, plants and displays were even more breath-taking than my gardening friends had described. Imagine one entire room filled with purple orchids!!!

I'll be making numerous posts here with my finds.

Here's the website, if your want directions, hours, and more information.
http://www.rogersgardens.com/

Pierre de Ronsard Rose

The first time I saw the Pierre de Ronsard climbing rose, it instantly became my favorite rose of all time. It's a stunning rose, that's beautiful to photograph, and see in your garden.

Pierre de Ronsard Rose, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

Stephanie, a friend and fellow gardener, had this growing up and over her pergola, in her cozy cottage garden. A real beauty, this old-fashioned looking rose also goes by the name Eden Rose.

Hybridized in 1987, it's disease resistant, a vigorous grower, and low maintenance.

This rose is a nearly continual bloomer, with year round health and vitality.

If you live in California, and want to use this for your garden, you'll be thrilled if you purchase it from Roger's Garden. Here's their web address, and I've linked their to the title above, and here's the website:

http://www.rogersgardens.com/


(The roses in this post, belong to Frank. More of Frank's flowers are featured below. Frank mentioned that this rose is lovely on the vine, but droops when you try to use it as a cutting rose in a vase.)