TODAY'S FLOWERS ~ Spring has Sprung at the Gardens

On the way back from Melbourne last week, we stopped in at

the Ballarat Botanical Gardens and what a sight met our eyes!

Even outside the gardens the grass was full of daisies

and once we got inside, I was quite surprises at the grand

spring plantations that had been brought into being.

Spring bulbs galore, thick as thieves between the azaleas

and beds planted around the birches in circles and arcs.

How can one resist such beauty?

I certainly could not and kept snapping away . . . can you see

the little statue in the background?

Another innovation since last we visited, is that immense glass

house. The lanterns are like old fashioned gaslights and there

are quite a number of marble statues and bronze busts of all

the Australian prime ministers lining an avenue of very old trees.

Here is a raised semi-circular bed of multi-coloured polyanthus.

All pictures enlarge with a click.

Join TODAY'S FLOWERS and show off the flowers around you.

TODAY'S FLOWERS ~ 32 Wonders of Spring

There were compensations along the way in driving
a thousand miles to Sydney. This glorious flower display
greeted us on leaving our cabin in a caravan park in
Blackheath in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales.



We were lucky enough to get the last night in the
last cabin when we were dog tired, so tired we did
not even notice the beauty of the street until the
next morning.



The whole street was full of Azaleas, there was a pond
in the dell surrounded by Cherry Trees.



Ducks on the pond and sun on the cherry blossom,
there was beauty all around....



as we headed up the hill again through the extensive
gardens, the Rhododendrons hit us like a steam train,
they were enormous and many were in full bloom.
No wonder the place was booked out until November
with the Rhododendron festival starting!



Rhododendrons as high as houses and in the most
vibrant colours imaginable...



this one made a pretty picture shielded by the
protective arms of the native Australian Eucalypt.
The Rhododendron was a good 30' tall, seldom have
I seen one so large.



So often when one makes an effort to do something nice,
the Universe blesses one with a wonderful gift - this
was such a time.

All pictures enlarge, enjoy!

The world is full of beautiful flowers, click on the Logo and see.

Thanks to Luiz Santilli Jr. and the Flower Team we can join in
and enjoy this meme.