Petalwander

This is Cornell Farms, my favorite nursery, in Portland's west hills. If you go on a cloudy day, everything sort of shimmers and glows with spring.

It's all just starting.

The season obviously comes early in the Northwest, but it's none too soon for me. Once I get over my whole "snow, please snow!" thing (in early January), I'm thoroughly and immediately ready for winter to be over. One of the first buds to bloom is the camellia, queen of the yard, in all her soapy-petaled perfection.

Cornell Farms is gorgeous. Tucked onto the side of a hill, it is an artfully organized, beautifully displayed collection of the best spring has to offer here. On Monday, we were two of only a small handful of people browsing, and I felt like I was in a private wonderland.

It feels like the way being in an art-supply store feels, your brain massaged by endless rows of color, phalanxes of pure pigment, and the potential inherent in all those tools. You could create a masterpiece, you know. It's all there.

But you have to remember to water. I can't seem to remember to water as I should, but I hear it's important. . . .

I like sedums. I think they are absolutely adorable. Whenever I see a table full of them, I can't resist patting them gently, to feel their plump, waxy faces. They make me smile every time.

And primroses are ubiquitous here (these are only 59 cents a piece), but no less bush-ily, crink-ily wonderful for that.

I'm a big fan of shamrocks. There's something so simple and naively optimistic about them. I have big clumps of big green ones all over my parkway, and they make these fabulous green domes. But these bi-colored sweeties are cute, too.

This is their little motorcar, which transports plants about the place. I think it's so cute. It reminds me of something I'd drive around Busytown (where I've always wanted to live).

Hellebores have an ethereal but poignant sort of quality, like angels.

Don't they?

Goodness me.

Rangelunculus.

Magnoliangel.

Comments

[ruthie]

beautiful flowers!! the camelia is awesome!! thanks for showing us. wish I could see all that beauty in person.
xox

[tiffany]

I adore Primroses even they are a bit common and on cost a few pennies they are still one of the earth's most lovely miracles. And, to be able to purchase a miracle for a mere 59 cents is a miracle too! What a happy post. I love all your beautiful pictures. You made my day Alicia. :)

[Andrea]

I absolutely love coming to your blog. It's so colourful and you take the most beautiful photos!

[Peg]

Thanks for the breath of spring. I was at my (LGS) - local garden shop yesterday and bought a single hellebores - oh how I want some double ones!!

[Brandy]

Just wanted you to know that I recently found your blog (and all the other wonderful crafting blogs out there!) and I have very much enjoying looking over your site. Your pictures are gorgeous as is your home! Very inspirational!

[kelly]

Oh, thank you. With these images, the rumble of thunder and the pouring rain and the 67*s, I'm feeling almost hopeful for spring.

It could still snow, though.

[kelpkim]

those are some seriously pretty flower pictures there lady!
you always take such wonderful pictures--not just the subject, but the technical things of taking a good photo--the light, focus, background, etc. i'm always impressed.
it has definitely brightened my day to see these pretty flowers here! xoxo to audrey and the kitties! :o)

[pam]

Isn't that the perfect light to capture nature's bounty? I can't wait for my cherry tree to be in full bloom, just the slightest hint of color is there now.. I get the shivers just thinking about it! Lovely photos.

[kyrie]

oh, i love this nursery, too. when we found it (before we even moved here!) we felt like it was our own personal fairyland. have you SEEN (and smelled!) their heirloom roses? heaven.

[Vicki in Michigan]

It's way too early to plant stuff, here in Michigan.

A good thing, given all the temptation in this post! :-)

[Tara]

Thank you for the pick-me-up in the middle of a drab office day!

[charlotte]

Who needs spring when we have you out and about with a camera? Thanks! (Thought of you last night when I posted about my "ie" issue. Wish they had called me Posie instead.)xoC

[Leta]

Absolutely gorgeous.

[mimulus]

another gorgeous post Alicia! thanks, and i hope you brought that magnolia home with you.

[Sarah]

These photos are beautiful! It's so great that you got to enjoy the nursery almost all to yourself. There's no spring flowers here yet, so I'm particularly jealous.

[The Shopping Sherpa]

Can I come live in Busytown too?

[Leisl]

Did you know (wait for it, another piece of fascinating but useless information from the fingers of Jorth) that in the Middle Ages, hellebores were used to treat madness?

Well, now you do!

[Amanda]

I wish I had a yard. Or even a nursery to visit. I think if I did have one, I'd want to take all the plants home but then they'd just die in my little apartment. :( Soon as spring comes, I think I'll visit the botanical garden for some therapy...

[Ruthanne]

Beautiful! I must have a camellia for my garden, hope it likes the English weather! Do the staff ever question you wandering around with your camera?!... people are uptight here about that sort of thing and I'm sure I'd get told to stop!

My husband and I love the Richard Scarry books from our own childhoods too and have bought some for the kids who love studying the tiny details.

[Renee]

So pretty! Wow what a tour for us all - all those flowers were just beautiful. So much fun. x

[Judy-Craftaroo]

Such beautiful photos. Autum is just begining in Sydney. My garden adventures are on hold because I think I have sold my house.

[Roberta]

Ranunculus are such feminine flowers...beautiful.
I have to say I was perplexed about your spelling of them until I read Magnoliangel. lol

[mo]

You might already know this, but next time you are at Cornell Farms, you should consider checking out the cafe at Oregon College of Arts and Crafts across the street. It is fantastic. All the meals are sort of dreamed up daily (or so it seems)so you never know what they will have. Plus all the plates are hand made from the clay studio. It is one of my very favorite places to eat.

[erin michelle]

Stunning photos. Yesterday when they were discussing the first day of spring, the kids at school were like "So it's not going to be cold anymore?!!!" and their teacher was like "Well, it doesn't always quite work that way." But it's definitley in the air!!! I'm so happy to finally have a yard. Thanks for the garden inspiration, dear.

[Alicia G.]

What color! And love the new banner, too.