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.
I love the clean edge of this curved path and how packed the border is. Packed but not crowded. Lush and rhythmic.
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.
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.
Speaking of sunlight, this view quieted me more than yoga had earlier that morning.
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.
In my dreams and overactive imagination, my east-facing flower bed at the farm looks a lot like this.
Or maybe like this… I have enough space to pretend both gardens are mine. : ))
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.
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.
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.
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.
That’s awesome! I would love to be there enjoying that with you! The garden is lovely and the classes sound awesome too. Can’t wait to hear the podcast. Yippie! and Congrats.
Hi Marie,
Thank you for the beautiful pictures. I oversaw the gardens that year, and it is so nice to have the hard work of the garden committee gorgeously documented. Sadly, that garden no longer exists, but the Path of Life Garden is very reminiscent of the old one. It is located behind the OSU-OKC greenhouses, on the same campus of the old extension building. Oklahoma county Master Gardeners can work in the gardens or greenhouse for service hours. Come by the Horticulture Center anytime for a peek.
That’s awesome! I would love to be there enjoying that with you! The garden is lovely and the classes sound awesome too. Can’t wait to hear the podcast. Yippie! and Congrats.
Hi Marie,
Thank you for the beautiful pictures. I oversaw the gardens that year, and it is so nice to have the hard work of the garden committee gorgeously documented. Sadly, that garden no longer exists, but the Path of Life Garden is very reminiscent of the old one. It is located behind the OSU-OKC greenhouses, on the same campus of the old extension building. Oklahoma county Master Gardeners can work in the gardens or greenhouse for service hours. Come by the Horticulture Center anytime for a peek.