Is it just me or is August flying by? Seems like only yesterday that it was the 4th of July. At any rate, we’ve breezed through to another Friday. And if it’s Friday, that means we’re joining our fur-iends, Rosy and her brothers from LLB in our Backyard.
This week is all about waterlilies. A recent trip to the Denver Botanical Gardens proved this is prime time for viewing these plants. Frenchman Joseph Bory Latour-Marliac (1830-1911) often considered the father of hardy waterlily hybridizing, creating over 100 hybrids in a rainbow of colors using species from around the world, including North America, as parent plants. Until the introduction of these hybrids, most people in Europe were only familiar with their native white-flowering hardy waterlily, Nymphaea alba.
In 1889, Latour-Marliac displayed many of his new waterlilies at the World Fair in Paris, where they won first prize and caught the attention of one Claude Monet. Monet placed an order with Latour-Marliac’s nursery (which still operates to this day in Le Temple-sur-Lot, France) and soon thereafter, planted them in his new garden in Giverny. The rest is history.
The Botanic Gardens’ collection includes twenty of Latour-Marliac’s historically significant hybrids in its own “Monet Pool” that were originally introduced in the gardens in the early 1900’s.
The day was sunny and bright (not the best for picture taking) but the reflections were stunning on the still water. The ducks were actively skimming the sides of the pool for whatever it is that ducks eat and dragonflies flitted about enjoying the sunshine and warm temperatures.
Hope you enjoyed strolling through one of my favorite areas at the Denver Botanical Gardens. Enjoy a fabulous weekend and don’t forget to enjoy some nature yourself.
Aren’t they pretty, and that last photo is stunning! Monet has been my favorite painter ever since I did an essay on him in college. I don’t remember that particular story though!
Thanks, Binky. Water lilies are one of my favorites and being around the pool makes me feel cooler even if it’s still in the upper 90’s F. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and have a great upcoming week.
these are GORGEOUS! I particularly like the last one because of the reflection of the building in the water, love it! Gorgeous! Yes, August is flying by and that is FINE with me!
They do. I love going to the gardens and with the membership can go as often as I want. Even if I’m just there for 45 minutes or so (it has gotta pretty crazy busy with scads of visitors), it’s well worth the time spent.
There was a really terrific piece on Public Broadcasting last week about the history of the gardens; showing some early images of the building of the Boettcher conservancy and sharing some amazing facts about the gardens. I had no idea!
Thanks for the beautiful pics and the story. Always was intrigued with Monet’s waterlilies. Happy weekend to you and yes August just kind of blinked and now its almost gone!!
Aww shucks. You’re very kind. One of these days I plan to get to the gardens on the early bird opening for members. The light is so much better than at 10 am.
I love lily pads and those are some really pretty ones.
The botanic gardens has a nice collection of water lilies.
Aren’t they pretty, and that last photo is stunning! Monet has been my favorite painter ever since I did an essay on him in college. I don’t remember that particular story though!
Thanks. Yes, Monet is a favorite of many of us. An exhibit of his is coming to Denver this Autumn and I already have tickets to see it. {swoon}
Pawtacular water lilies; wagnificent colours.
HuMom wanted me to mention she loves the juxtaposition of your last photo.
💜nose nudges 💜
Thanks, Olivia. Tell your mum I appreciate that. 🙂
Amazing pictures of such beautiful plants <3 I have to come back to look for the duckies…😸Pawkisses for a wonderful Sunday to all of you🐾😽💞
Thanks, Binky. Water lilies are one of my favorites and being around the pool makes me feel cooler even if it’s still in the upper 90’s F. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and have a great upcoming week.
Lovely!
Incredible pictures! Lily pads are gorgeous. I always hope to find a floating frog on one too 🙂
The closest I’ve ever come is seeing a dragonfly hovering over them. DBG fhas a lovely selection of these incredible plants.
What a beautiful place for a visit. Thanks for sharing it with us.
We are having the same problem. I think the clocks are not calibrated anymore. They should slow down so we can have more naps!
I’ll drink to that!
The waterlilies are just fabulous!
I think the temperature just went way down just by reading this post.
If the temps didn’t go down, at least it’s a few minutes of tranquility. 😊
these are GORGEOUS! I particularly like the last one because of the reflection of the building in the water, love it! Gorgeous! Yes, August is flying by and that is FINE with me!
I used to live a block and a half away from the gardens and always said if I ever one the lottery, I wanted to live in that white high-rise.
I wish August would fly a little faster. I can give it flying lessons. We need some cooler weather.
Won’t argue that point.
So beautiful, Monika. These shots are terrific.
Thanks. Mother Nature does the heavy lifting when it come to water lilies.
😀
Beautiful water lilies! I love them. So regal and peaceful. Have a great weekend.
Thanks, you have a great weekend too!
Water lilies are one of my favorite flowers also, what wonderful pictures!!
Thank you. They are so calming to see in the hustle and bustle of the city.
They beg to be photographed.
Always love your pics of DBG. Do they still have those papyrus-looking plants? That was always an elegant display area.
They do. I love going to the gardens and with the membership can go as often as I want. Even if I’m just there for 45 minutes or so (it has gotta pretty crazy busy with scads of visitors), it’s well worth the time spent.
Yes, it’s a great spot, I miss it. Always a great place to learn and get ideas!
There was a really terrific piece on Public Broadcasting last week about the history of the gardens; showing some early images of the building of the Boettcher conservancy and sharing some amazing facts about the gardens. I had no idea!
Yes, it has a long history, and a hidden gem of a rare books and archival special collection in the library.
One of these days I’ll have to check that part out.
Such beauty.
Have a fabulous day and weekend. ♥
Next to the Japanese garden, it’s my favorite spot to relax. Happy weekend to you as well!
Thanks for the beautiful pics and the story. Always was intrigued with Monet’s waterlilies. Happy weekend to you and yes August just kind of blinked and now its almost gone!!
This summer has really zoomed by and school has started in many places already.
School starts here on the 22nd. Its just crazy!
Love!!! Your pictures are gorgeous. I must go back to the gardens to see these…
Now’s the perfect time; they are blooming like crazy.
they are so beautiful!! and we agree this summer was over within a moment… is the time doped?
Seems like it, doesn’t it? Before you know it, I’ll be whinging about the cold though with day after day of 90+ degrees, that seems impossible. 😂
That was fascinating…thank you!
Having been hit with two huge unexpected bills this August I shall be glad to see the back of the month!
I know what you mean; I’m still trying to catch up after July’s surprises.
These water lilies are fantastic!
So peaceful with lots of critters enjoying them too.
We get to look at your beautiful pictures AND learn something new!
Win-Win!
Aww shucks. You’re very kind. One of these days I plan to get to the gardens on the early bird opening for members. The light is so much better than at 10 am.
So now I know the rest of the Monet story!
I had always wondered what prompted Giverny’s waterlily pond. Now we know!
That’s so cool!