Government House January 10, 2012

Snowdrops were up but the snow was yet to come.

I must stop taking pictures of witch hazel, but it does add some welcome colour to a winter garden.

Most of the colour was from berries.

I had a little picnic in the gazebo.

Butchart Gardens January 16, 2011

Spring Prelude

The indoor garden at Butchart's opened on January 15th. It can't be too soon for me.

Spheres seem to be a theme this year. I like them.

Also, we see more rough wood/logs/bark being featured.

This year a new leaf fountain...

... joins the regular water features.

I don't know what this tree is but hope to find out. Update: other visitors figured it was a Mimosa.

And then there are the old standards, like the witch hazel in the bottom photo, which, for some reason, I am always happy to see.

It is often the lighting that makes this garden so interesting.

Butchart Gardens Jan. 15, 2010 - Outside

On the grounds

There was warmth in the sun. One could start to believe spring was here.

A sign of 'real' spring. We've also seen snowdrops blooming in our neighbourhood.

Two types of the fascinating Witch-hazel.

Except for staff, the carousel was completely empty so I got to ride on the RCMP horse (see top photo in 'The Rose Carousel' from Dec 1st).