Planting the Seeds of Hope

In these days filled with uncertainty about the future, I'm constantly on the lookout for things to give me hope. The photo above is a great example - and provided the inspiration for this week's message to you.

Open for 8 weeks in the spring, from mid-March to mid-May, Keukenhof Gardens plants bulbs three deep - to maximize the bloom time and ensure that all visitors are treated to an amazing riot of color. This year the spectacular blooms were visited only by garden employees (although they were enjoyed worldwide via streaming videos.) But hope, as we say, springs eternal - and this week the gardeners at Keukenhof were hard at work preparing for the hoped-for 2021 season.

Closer to home we continue to foster caterpillars with hopes that they will make it through their miraculous lifecycle - flying away as a beautiful monarch butterfly. We've released about 25 so far and just yesterday found a fat caterpillar - hopefully the first of the fall generation of butterflies who migrate to Michoacan. Our bonus - a forest of "volunteer" milkweed plants that have sprouted from the feathery seeds falling from the bursting seed pods. We are hopeful that this abundant food source will attract lots of butterflies (and hope they lay eggs here too!) so we can continue to nurture these amazing creatures.

So while it may be a little while yet before we all feel comfortable traveling again, dreaming of travel gives me hope - and the gardeners at Keukenhof have inspired me to share with you a little bit about three gardens I've had the visiting during past travel.

And for my friends in cooler climates - please consider planting a few bulbs - you'll thank yourself when you spy green shoots emerging from the earth in the spring - a season of hope.

My very best,

Joan

P.S. - When you're ready to plan travel, I'll be here to help.P.S. - When you're ready to plan travel, I'll be here to help.

"We can complain because Rose Bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses." - Alphonse Karr

KEUKENHOF GARDEN, LISSE, NETHERLANDS (NEAR AMSTERDAM)

Rich and I visited Keukenhof in April of 2016 - it was one of the highlights of our "Tulip Time" river cruise. Many river cruise lines and tour companies have itineraries featuring Holland's tulip time, although the garden is close enough to Amsterdam that a DIY visit is very feasible. The name "Keukenhof" translates to "Kitchen Garden" - and this property was a kitchen garden - first, to Teylingen Castle in the 1400s and subsequently for Castle Keukenhof, built in the 1600s. Over 100 Dutch bulb producers donate bulbs to the garden annually, and the bulbs are planted for about 2 months, starting in early October. TIP: The Floriade International Horticultural Expo, held every 10 years, is scheduled for late April to late October 2022 - visitors to Holland in Spring of 2022 will be able to experience both Keukenhof AND Floriade. But be prepared - spring weather in Holland is unpredictable - bring warm clothing - dressing in layers is best.

"A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit in." - Greek Proverb

THE BUTCHART GARDENS, VICTORIA, B.C., CANADA

The Butcharts were drawn to Victoria due to its rich deposits of limestone, a key ingredient in cement production - the family's business. Eventually, the limestone quarry was exhausted, and, from 1909 to 1921, Mrs. Jennie Butchart transformed the quarry pit into a sunken garden. Over the years Mrs. Butchart commissioned well-known landscape architects to add to the garden - including an Italian Garden and a Rose Garden. The Butchart's grandson, Ian Ross, was given the garden on his 21st birthday and continued to operate and expand it until his death 58 years later. Still a family-operated venture, Robin Lee-Clarke, the great-granddaughter of the Butchart's, is the current owner and managing director. A visit to the Gardens is a popular shore excursion for Alaska cruises - alternately taking the ferry from Vancouver to Victoria (and the gardens) is a fabulous day trip. We've visited the Gardens twice - first in late May when things were just starting to bloom, and again in late August when the Gardens were at their peak.

"My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece." - Claude Monet

MONET'S GARDEN, GIVERNY, FRANCE

Growing up in Chicago as a child of art-loving parents, The Art Institute of Chicago was a frequent destination. Renowned for its amazing collection of French Impressionist paintings, its galleries are filled with smiling guests contemplating the sheer beauty of the works from this movement. Claude Monet was a prolific painter - but the paintings from his garden are among my favorites - and visiting the garden he created, starting in the 1890s, has been a highlight of my travels. Giverny is an easy day trip from Paris and well worth your time. (And while you're in Paris, don't miss the Musee d'Orsay and L'Orangerie - Monet created a series of huge paintings of his beloved water lilies for the gallery in this space. A visit to Giverny is not limited to the garden - a tour of Monet's house is included as well, and the house and especially its kitchen are amazing. I highly recommend a visit to Monet's Garden.