Lazy W Marie

Carpeing all the diems in semi-rural Oklahoma...xoxo

almost wordless wednesday, OSU-OKC campus garden photos

Tuesday morning I arrived for Master Gardener class early enough to stroll through the campus teaching gardens for about twenty minutes. I took lots of photos and just luxuriated in the atmosphere. Right there at northwest tenth and Portland, in the middle of rush hour traffic, near the highway and everything, the campus garden at OSU-OKC is brilliant and accomplished, a cultivated bubble of art, peace, and beauty. What struck me, in addition to the health and vibrancy of each individual plant, was the overall composition of the garden. Curves in just the right places, color, texture, rhythm, even surprises. This small series of plots and walkways, raised beds and borders, has it all. See for yourself.

 

OSU OKC teaching garden
I love the clean edge of this curved path and how packed the border is. Packed but not crowded. Lush and rhythmic.

 

OSU OKC teaching garden
This raised bed is so nice in its perfection. Just cinder blocks, nothing fancy, but absolutely pristine. Not a weed in sight. Love these heavy zinnias.

 

OSU OKC teaching garden
These color and texture combinations are just so beautiful. And I wish you could have seen this sunlight for yourself. It was streaming through the branches. Sparkling.

 

OSU OKC teaching garden
Speaking of sunlight, this view quieted me more than yoga had earlier that morning.

 

OSU OKC teaching garden
This shrub put me in the mood for autumn, all by itself. And that simple driftwood arbor is so great too. I love it all.

 

OSU OKC teaching garden
In my dreams and overactive imagination, my east-facing flower bed at the farm looks a lot like this.

 

OSU OKC teaching garden
Or maybe like this… I have enough space to pretend both gardens are mine. : ))

 

OSU OKC teaching garden
I used to grow this every year when my girls were little. It’s hyacinth bean vine, and it is a show stopper! What a great idea to grow it on a driftwood tipi. Super cool.

 

OSU OKC teaching gardening
I fell in love with this plant after seeing it in New Orleans years ago. Gardeners there drape angel trumpets with white twinkle lights all year long! Not just at Christmas! Rumor has it that my class mentor Schroeder Wilson brings starts of this plant (just bare sticks) to the students every year. I’m basically counting on it now. My white twinkle lights are ready and waiting.

 

OSU OKC teaching garden
Is this rosemary again? I think so. I like how it looks against the mulch and cut log. Finished ground areas make all the difference in showcasing gorgeous plants.

 

Friends, I saved my favorite photo for the last.

 

OSU OKC teaching garden
Pure enchantment. I can barely take my eyes off the whole long enough to see the individual parts of all this beauty. I just stood there for a few minutes and breathed deeply.

 

So there’s a quick little garden tour for you this Wednesday. It’s about as wordless as I can be. Hope you enjoyed it.

I’ll be sharing more and more about the Master gardener classes as the weeks progress. Just two sessions under my belt and I am learning a holy metric ton. And there’s so much happening at the farm right now! Lots of gratitude floating around, lots of energy being drained and replenished day after day. Thank you for all the kind words on my daughter’s birthday!

Happy gardening, friends! Happy everything.

A garden reminds us the value of intention-
plan, prepare, nurture…
A garden lets us work the soil,
teaching us everything is interrelated and interdependent.
Why not enjoy the company?
~Jean Larson
XOXOXOXO

p.s. I have been invited to be a guest on a podcast all about nature and simple living, I am so excited! Stay tuned for that.