There’s something exhilarating about seeing a famous garden in person. I also find, and, maybe it’s just me, that I am usually slightly underwhelmed. Maybe it’s because often there are hordes of tourists, or I feel like I have to take everything in and end up hurrying through, snapping photos, without really enjoying it.
I tried not to build up Giverny in my mind so much, to avoid disappointment. I don’t really think I needed to though.
It was the perfect time to be there. Everything seemed to be in full bloom: irises, roses, peonies, violas.
I was pleasantly surprised to find seemingly-wild colour combinations (although I’m sure they were carefully orchestrated). I guess I’d expected the whole garden to look kind of like a My Monet weigela; muted pinks, whites, mauves. Indeed, pastels rule at Giverny, but so do reds, oranges and blacks.
I took my time wandering through the gardens. Yes, I took hundreds of photos. But I also crossed my eyes and imagined what Monet would have seen with this failing eyesight. I smelled the roses. I saved fallen petals between the pages of my journal.
And it was good.
degan says
oh that looks beautiful! I love the last one.
Marie aka Piana Nanna says
What a treat. I felt as if I were there myself. Thank you for the photos. They’re beautiful.
Kim says
SPLENDID!!!
Kim says
I love that you crossed your eyest to try to see what Monet would have saw. That’s totally something I would do, so it made me smile.
Great pictures–thanks for posting the little tour. Is the climate there about the equivalent of our zone 7 or 8? (I’m guessing, based on what I know of the area and that purple spiderwort that isn’t hardy here in zone 6.)
Gotta Garden says
What a dream come true! Lucky, lucky you! I would LOVE to see this someday! Thanks for the most excellent photos! Almost like being there!
Lisa G says
Beautiful photographs! Thank you for posting them. Giverny is on my list of “Places to See Before I Die”. I agree, it looks like you were there at the perfect time!
Andrea says
I’m glad you enjoyed the photos – I’ve got about 200 (!) more, just waiting to be uploaded to Flickr.
Blackswamp Kim – Apparently it’s a zone 8 – a humid one, I’d venture! And I’m glad I’m not the only one crossing my eyes.
All I can say is, it’s worth being on every gardeners’ list of places to see before they die!
Jessica Schessler says
Gorgeous pictures!! Thank you so much for sharing, I’m inspired to start visiting my local gardens.
Julie @ Wife, Mother, Gardener says
Excellent post! Thanks for sharing your visit! Giverny is a favorite of mine as well, though I have not gotten to visit it yet. Lovely photos!