White Clematis...

Clematis vine, Dixon Gardens.

Walkways, Dixon Gardens

Walkways at Dixon are one of the most important elements in the gardens. Not only do they make walking easier around the perimeter of the South Lawn (especially in inclement weather), but they also beckon you to each separate garden room and little hidden places featuring seasonal plantings, an antique bench, or statuary. Some walks are curved and some are straight, and usually are constructed of brick or pea gravel.

Above and below are the terraced brick walkways joining the first garden room I showed you, and the one I will share after this. In the photo above you can see the restored, 19th century cast iron fountain that is the focal point in the distance (please enlarge this photo for a better view).

I hope that you are enjoying a nice weekend. We are spending time with my father today, and then I'm looking forward to catching up with each of you.

Dixon Gardens, South Lawn

This is the first view of the expansive South Lawn of the gardens that you see after you first enter the gardens from the main entrance. My father says that it reminds him of Augusta National Golf Club during the Masters Tournament.

Formal Garden Room, Dixon Gardens (100th Post)

Yesterday, my father took me to Dixon Gallery and Gardens in celebration of my birthday (you can also read more about Dixon here).. You know how some days are just "perfect", and you know that you will remember that day as special forever? Yesterday was one of those days. It was a mild day, perfectly clear and sunny, and probably the prettiest Spring day in Memphis this year. My father and I walked the entire perimeter of the 17 acres of garden area, and it was breathtaking, and fun to just spend an afternoon with my father.

Of course, I took too many photos (don't we all?), and have chosen my favorites to share with you over the next several days. I hope that you will come to love this special place as I do. It is truly wonderful any time of year, either for its blooms, lush grounds, or well-designed architectural beauty. But, during the first through third weeks in April, it will take your breath away. You may enjoy seeing the larger version of this photo...just click on the photo and then click on "all sizes" and choose the larger size.

This is one of the formal garden rooms, fashioned after French and Italian formal gardens, on the east side of the museum building. This area is planted in clipped boxwood, pink azaleas, an ivy border, and white dogwoods. It is this lush in color in person, and it was lovely sitting on that bench and just taking it in.

Today is my 100th post, and it is hard to believe how quickly that time has passed. Participating in this community is a highlight of each day, and I hope to have many more "anniversaries".

My Favorite Spot in Memphis...

Well, this post is a little self-indulgent, but I hope that you will think it's a beautiful place, too. You see, today is my birthday, and since I've earned another number (for which I am very thankful!), I thought it would be fun to share with you my absolute favorite spot in Memphis.

This is "Europa and the Bull", which can be found at the rear of the South Lawn at Dixon Gallery and Gardens. I will be showing more beautiful detail in the coming days....it's stunning! Here is some information about it, found here on the Dixon website:

Europa and the Bull, located as a focal point in the south vista from the Gallery, is an 18th century marble group from Grimston Park, Tadcaster, York. It was bought in 1962 when the entire contents of the castle and gardens were auctioned. Greek mythology tells the story of how Zeus, transforming himself into a white bull, carries off the maiden Europa, daughter of the Phoenician king, Agenor (or Phoenix in some versions). He swims with her to Crete where she becomes the mother of Minos, Rhadamanthus, and Sarpedon.

I googled Grimston Park, and look here to see what I found for sale....Grimston Park, the original home of this magnificent marble sculpture! It's a very lovely residence, but a bit pricey...even for my birthday...

edited to add...Jim asked if I had shared which number birthday this is? :) Of course not! ;) But, I will say that the sculpture was acquired at approximately the same time as my birth, which is actually neat considering how I adore it.

Pink Azalea

I thought you might enjoy seeing a pretty pink azalea after the pink dogwood yesterday....click to change the size to a larger photo to see even more detail (by clicking on "all sizes" and then choosing the larger size) . We found this beauty at Dixon Gallery & Gardens last weekend. I'm hoping that the azaleas may be fully-blossomed this weekend.

The past few days have been long workdays, and I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone tonight and tomorrow!

A Little Bit of Green...

There are still no big signs of Spring here (although we probably have only a few weeks at most before we see our first blooms), but some things do still stay green in Memphis, even through the cold of winter. This pretty fern at Dixon Gardens (which I first posted about here) seems to be a perennial harbinger of the good, green things soon to come. I also am in love with that vintage iron planter!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day and cherubs just seem to go hand in hand, so I thought you might enjoy seeing this little one that we found along one of the garden paths at Dixon Gallery & Gardens. I first blogged about Dixon here, and it's one of my favorite places in Memphis.

I hope that you are having a wonderful day! My niece made the card on the left (is there anything sweeter than something made by a child?) and DH surprised me with a box of See's Chocolate---yum! Isn't he the best? Those of you on the West Coast know just how good this candy is! If you're looking for me after dinner, I'll probably be curled up with a good mystery and eating decadent chocolate! It doesn't get much better...

What says "Valentine's Day" to you?

Sculpture, Dixon Gallery & Gardens

As you can see, not everything is "traditional" at Dixon Gallery and Gardens. This is one of the outdoor sculptures that I discovered while walking the many paths at Dixon. I always enjoy modern or abstract art (especially when mixed in with the more traditional or classic) because it makes you think. The piece ends up being whatever you find while studying it...which is always interesting, and there is no right or wrong in how you interpret it.

I'd love to hear about what you see in this piece...

South Lawn, Dixon Gallery & Gardens

This is the view of the bridge and statuary at the rear of the South Lawn at the Dixon (to the rear of the original house and museum). To give you an idea of just how large the entire rear lawn area is, the photo below was taken from the walkway just behind the house (in the same direction as the first photo), and the one below that was taken looking the other way, toward the rear of the house and museum. The statue shown is my favorite on the property. It was raining steadily when I took this photo; on my next visit I will take a more detailed photo of the statue itself.

The rear/South lawn is where the very popular Dixon outdoor concert series is held each spring and summer. Past entertainers have included Bruce Hornsby, Wynonna Judd, Michael McDonald, Al Jarreau, and Hootie and the Blowfish.

The Gardens at the Dixon...

This is another view in the gardens of Dixon Gallery & Gardens, this time looking toward the Conservatory and Greenhouses.

Dixon has an extensive horticulture program and uses many native plants in the gardens. This is not only a "greener" and healthier approach to garden design as the plants easily accomodate and adapt to the local environment, but it also produces an interesting and historically-correct garden. The Dixon also has a wonderful, very popular plant sale each year, where you can obtain young specimens of the plants used in the gardens there.

Rambling Round certainly made my day with the "You Make My Day" award! Thank you so much! I am so glad that you enjoy your visits here...that makes my day more than anything. :) The award rules say: "Give the award to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about blogland. Let them know by posting a comment on their blog so they can pass it on. Beware you may get the award several times."

I am constantly inspired and delighted by every blog I visit...each one of you truly makes my day, with what you share on your blog, and also your visits and comments here. It is hard to choose ten, but these wonderful bloggers have been an inspiration and wonderful support in the short time I've been blogging with Daily Photo, and I would be pleased to pass this award on to them:

Miss Mari-Nanci at PhotosCityMine/Saratoga Springs, NY,
Dusty Lens, Minneapolis, MN,
Annie at Little Rock Daily Photo,
Jilly at Menton Daily Photo,
Steve at New Orleans Daily Photo,
Zentmrs at San Diego Daily Photo,
Thien at Seguin, TX Daily Photo,
Jim at Terrell, TX Daily Photo,
Joy at Norwich Daily Photo,
Pat at Guelph Daily Photo.

Please stop by and visit these amazing bloggers!

I hope that your weekend is off to a wonderful start!

Winter Garden

Memphis has some beautiful gardens, but there isn't much blooming here this time of year. The big "show" of Spring is only a few months away (Memphis is absolutely breathtaking in April), but the flowering cabbage and kale have been particularly colorful and lovely this winter. I found these at Dixon Gallery and Gardens.