Monet's Garden at the NY Botanical Garden

If you are in the New York City metro area, you might want to take a stroll through the NY Botanical Garden's newly opened exhibit, Monet's Garden. We luckily discovered it on opening day. Having been fortunate enough to actually visit Giverny last fall, naturally I was curious. The exhibit did not disappoint.

At the entrance to the Botanical Garden, we were greeted by a luxurious display of foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) in full bloom. Talk about a wow factor! 

A little background for you...

 A photo of Monet's garden (reflected in the water) taken by photographer Elizabeth Murray

The water lilies in the Conservatory Courtyard Pools

The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory was a treat for the senses. Before we even entered the garden display, one could smell the roses. The iconic green of Monet's trellises was dead on. Delphinium, roses of all types and colors, poppies, hydrangea, foxglove and, I am sure, dozens of more flowers were blooming happily together. Not a weed or brown leaf or petal to be seen. Granted, this was the first day, but just to bring these plants to bloom to perfection and look natural was an amazing feat.

 Laburnum tree (commonly called golden chain)

Poppy pods in front of delphinium

It was a sight!

 As you strolled out of the flower beds, you passed through this lovely "house" façade.

Just look at this gorgeous structure! 

The Conservatory is a Victorian-style glasshouse that opened in 1902.

There are also two of Monet's paintings and rare Monet artifacts on display in the Rondina Gallery, which we did not have time to see. 

The New York Botanical Garden

  2900 Southern Boulevard 

Bronx, NY 10458 

718.817.8700

I hope you have the chance to go!

February Doldrums Break: Giverny

I had been holding off sharing my photos of our ever so inspiring trip to Giverny last fall, waiting for the right moment. It is here! We all need a break from the winter greys and there can be no better way to kick those greys than to stroll the grounds that Claude Monet walked every day.

It was every bit as colorful as you might have imagined it. I had always wondered just exactly what color that pink was. You cannot see much of it from the front of the house, but this view of the back shows the home at its best color.  As we saw often in France, literally the back wall of the house is directly on the street.

It was almost impossible to take photos without hoards of people surrounding you. While Monet's home is very public now, other than restricting visitors, I don't know how else they can handle it. 

When you arrive at the property, you have little choice with your route. But, what a route it is, strolling through the various "rooms" of the estate and catching the familiar looking glimpses that you've seen in the postcards and books. 

It must be quite humbling to work in the gardens- the actual soil that Monet so beautifully painted. It takes a large team of dedicated workers to keep this huge garden in a constant blooming mode.

The trellises are all here, their green color vibrant.

The water lilies, the willow trees...

the vibrant colors of the flowers. Tomorrow I'll cover the flowers close up.

 Quite amazing, really. Makes you want to get out that easel...

French Muses

Greeting Friday with an eclectic group of French inspirations:

We visited the Cleveland Museum of Art last weekend and I have been haunted by this lovely painting by Claude Monet. The 1873 painting is titled La Capeline Rouge, Portrait de Madame Monet.

I wish I would come across such a treasure as this urn when I am browsing in the flea markets and antique stores. I know right where I would put it in my garden!

 And when I am next in Louisville, Kentucky, I will visit the European Antique Market. Shawn scours the French countryside for goodies to ship home, like these:

You can also follow her on her blog, Country French Antiques.

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