Fond Memories of Chanticleer

Chanticleer is a magical place.

I shared a few of my thoughts about it and photos last September, after the Philadelphia Garden Fling. But when I couldn't attend this year's recent Puget Sound Fling, it had me thinking about Chanticleer again.

My words and photos can't do it justice, but it seems like a good time to share a bit. I don't have tags for all the varieties of plants in my photos, but I did my best to ID most of them. Mainly, while at Chanticleer, I wanted to simply take it all in at this special place instead of focusing on the details too much. I definitely want to go back again...

The plantings were regal throughout the grounds, including these groupings of Birds-of-Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai), Elephant Ears (Colocasia esculenta), and Spider Plants (Chlorophytum comosum).



The pathways throughout the grounds were well-maintained and great for visitors of all abilities; subdued, but also beautiful.



The meadow edges were naturalistic, but at the same time artfully arranged.

This grouping of hedges and border plantings was organized, yet comfortable.



The Ruin Garden was fascinating--combining the beauty of historical structures with lush, beautiful, draping plants.



Here and there were surprise combinations, like this potted grouping of succulents.



The naturalistic, yet creatively placed, elements throughout the grounds really appealed to me--like this pollinator house paired with beautiful rocks, mosses, plants, and structures.



The wildlife seemed at peace at Chanticleer, too, like this juvenile great blue heron.

While I don't have all the variety names, here are some individual blooming plants that captured my eye:

Tricyrtis formosana

Physostegia virginiana

Lantana camara 'Samantha'

Hydrangea macrophylla

Echinacea purpurea 'Green Jewel'

Dahlia pinnata with Symphyotrichum spp.

Dahlia pinnata

Colchicum autumnale

Anemone x hybrida

The water features, perhaps most of all, really captivated me during our visit. Many who reported on Chanticleer after the Fling noted these lovely floating displays of mixed colorful blooms and foliage.

Nymphaea mexicana with koi

The koi fish enjoyed the Waterlilies as much as we did.

Nymphaea nouchali

Nymphaea mexicana

Our time at Chanticleer was enchanting and way too short. I must go back.

To learn more about the Garden Fling--past, recent, and future--visit gardenfling.org.

Join Me for a Short Hike on a Misty, Summer Morning

(It's Wordless Wednesday and Wildflower Wednesday! Join the fun!)

An Autumn Afternoon At the Aldo Leopold Nature Center

Recently, I spent a few hours hiking around the grounds of the Aldo Leopold Nature Center, in Monona, Wis., near Madison. The center is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

It was one of those days when I felt a strong desire to be outside, since I know those mild days are numbered now.



The nature center's mission is to provide hands-on programs which "... teach the student to see the land, to understand what he sees, and to enjoy what he understands," in the spirit of famed ecologist and naturalist Aldo Leopold. His book, "A Sand County Almanac," is a collection of essays advocating a "land ethic," or a responsible relationship between people and the land they inhabit.



The nature center grounds are geared toward youth education, including admiration and respect for nature, and encouraging sustainability and stewardship of the land. Anyone of any age, though, can tour the Leopold trails--through woodlands, wetlands, prairies, and meadows.

Here's a brief wordless tour of the Monona campus in early autumn:

































































I hope you enjoyed the tour! It's a wonderful place to visit with children, with a friend, or just by yourself for a relaxing hike.