My Virtual Garden Cat especially for my sisters and daughter

Friday, November 25, 2011

A Thanksgiving Gift


Look what bloomed on Thanksgiving! It's the common Shamrock plant (oxalis). I am thankful for flowers on any plant, indoors or outdoors, during the month of November in Central Ohio.

I did some research on bloom times and learned a lot in the process. Here is a link to some great information from the Iowa State University Extension on this plant.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Robins Twice in One Season

We feel lucky to have had two sets of baby robins born on this Delaware Green Acre. This last group of three (that's our best guess) was found in a nest in our front yard right in the middle of a Globe Blue Spruce on a Standard.

When we found the nest, the babies had already hatched and had some feathers. The babies had to be pretty far along because they were not in the nest for long.

Hubby making and sharing a discovery


What's for lunch?
Mom caught a worm and is getting ready to share it with her babies

Thursday, June 9, 2011

A Special Trip to Schnormeier Gardens


Once a year Ted and Ann Schnormeier open their gardens for public viewing. The Columbus Dispatch did an article on this beyond beautiful Asian inspired garden and noted the dates that this would be open to the public. We checked out the weather for these dates and quickly decided when we would visit. We could not have picked a better day. The weather was wonderful. The temperature was in the low 80’s and a there was a light breeze all day long. Last time we visited these gardens, the temperature was well into the 90’s and no breeze. This visit was going to be just perfect.

Schnormeier Gardens are located in Gambier, Ohio. The gardens spread out over 75 acres. There are nine distinct gardens along with many lakes and large lawn areas. There are gently rolling hills throughout the property which adds much interest to the different areas. Every detail was carefully thought out when laying out these areas.

Enjoy a pictorial walk of the property and gardens.

A bronze sculpture of Ted and Ann Schnormeier commissioner for their 50th anniversary sits in a garden

A rolling hills view of Schnormeier Gardens
On the way to the Waterfall Garden

Experience the Waterfall Garden


Hubby on Chinese bridge to Swan Island
in the Waterfall Garden
A view of the lake from Swan Island
Japanese Teahouse

Rhododendrons blooming in early June

A view of the Stream Garden

Art in the Stream Garden

Schnormeier residence inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright along the lake
Gardens near the Schnormeier home



Container gardens along the lake side of the home



View of the bridge to Swan Island from the house
Japanese Garden


Chinese Cup Gardens with view of Chinese pavilion

Chandelier in the Chinese pavilion
One of the Cup Gardens



Japanese Garden House in the Serenity Garden overlooking one of five ponds

Japanese garden house in the Serenity Garden
Japanese Bridge

Some of the many rare conifers in the Serenity Garden

Snake-Branch Norway Spruce


Hinoki Cypress

Korean Fir



Japanese White Pine



Weeping European Silver Fir

Alaska Cedar
Vista of the Serenity Gardens

Hosta Garden surrounded by Sassafras trees

Trunk of a Sassafras tree




Woodland Garden with sculptures





Sculpture at one end of the Woodland Garden

Lupines in the Meadow Garden

Peonies in bloom
The zigzag bridge


Australian black swan
Lake view from the Meadow Garden

Quarry Garden
Along the lake edge of the Quarry Garden