Six months have past...

Magnolia Elizabeth

It was a time of anticipation... six months ago... it's now a time of preparations. The gardener plans for the next phase that is the life of the garden. Concerns, decisions, changes that may or may not be an improvement over the way it was... all these thoughts and actions weigh heavily as the administrator of this garden space seeks some sort of perfection in the imperfection of nature... 

Magnolia Rose Marie

Magnolia Rose Marie

Six months ago was the season of magnolias... as I, the gardener, go through hundreds of photos... most new to this post... I find refreshment in the realization that the gardens are maturing after years and years of changes, a litany of lost plants (whether to disease, climate, or the hand of the gardener) never ending changes on this canvas that is far from bare, but perhaps will never be complete. The heart of a gardener cries out for change... improvements over a lifetime of changes with the goal of total tranquility immediately obvious to any who would wander here, through this very personal little world unlike any other...

The gardens at Oak Lawn are an earthly passion for this gardener... I think being passionate is ok as long as that passion is held in perspective to the other things of importance in the life of any human... faith, family, friends, service to mention but a few... gratitude, love, compassion, obedience, and wisdom... the list is long... none of these things necessarily preclude the acceptability of being a passionate gardener...

Magnolia Wada's Memory

a cultivar of Soulangiana Magnolia

It is good to reflect on the past six months and the hours spent in the gardens, admiring the bounties of creation, reflecting on the Creator, arranging the pieces of the puzzle that have been made available to the gardener like Legos to a young child... using whatever wits gifted to the gardener that allow the arrangement of thousands of amazing pieces into a whole that inspires appreciation and thanksgiving for the gift of flora.

Magnolia soulangiana

Step back in time with me to my world a mere six months ago...

Magnolia White Rose

Magnolia Simple Pleasures

Magnolia Wada's Memory

Magnolia Angelica

Above and below... chance seedling selection from the gardens

Magnolia Ann

Magnolia Simple Pleasures

Magnolia Blushing Belle above and below

Magnolia Roseanne above and below

Another chance seedling of some merit

Magnolia Butterflies

Magnolia Elizabeth

Magnolia Toro

Magnolias Betty, Pinky, and Alexandrina

Magnolia Butterflies

Here at Oak Lawn, the predictable need for change is in full swing. Trees are being pruned and some removed all together. Several mature shrubs will be gifted to the local historical society for planting about their building this week. A trail has been carved for use by a skid loader to install rocks for the new rock garden. Several conifer purchases have been made and another twenty-four uncommon conifers have been ordered for spring delivery. After almost 25 years of searching, an Acer saccharum 'Monumentale' has been located and purchased. It was very expensive for such a small plant and hopefully it will prove to be the cultivar that I've been searching for... an extremely narrow and tall sugar maple with amazing fall color. There appears to be some confusion regarding this plant... the one I want grows 50' tall with a width of only 4' and can be seen on the 'Buchholz and Buchholz Nursery' web page.... hoping I got the right one. Additionally, the new north wall and doors on the greenhouse have been completed and a large pile of cedar poles has been collected and trimmed for the building of new arbors. Fall is in full swing and the crisp clear air quickly reminds me that I love this time of year.
Regards, Larry

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