Butchart Gardens - October 15, 2011

I thought it would be months before I could face going to Butchart Gardens on my own. I even wondered if I could ever go back - there are so many vivid memories of happy times there with Glenn. But somehow I found myself drawn to the place in mid October, less than a month after he'd passed away. It was my first visit as - strange to think of myself of as this - a widow.

 An odd angle view of a large hedge.

Salvia patens (Gentian sage), I believe.

Callicarpa or Beautyberry.

A few Dahlias were still in bloom.

Down into the Japanese Garden. It was too early for foliage colour.

I wasn't able to write down the proper name of the three interesting shrubs/trees in the picture above, but False Cypress would probably do. They are pruned this way.

Some fading hostas.

Up near the Rose Carousel crows were dropping nuts around the walnut trees so you had to watch your head.

 The pond in the sunken garden.

I had told myself before I arrived that one thing I couldn't bear to do was stop in the cafe, and walking by on the way in confirmed that feeling. I thought I would burst into tears if I did. But at the end, to my very big surprise, I actually went in, got a hot chocolate and sat down. That's what Glenn would have done. Here's to you, Glenn.