Springtime! Thursday, 4/18/19

When Kial James of Nevada City Scenics proposed a photo walk at Crystal Hermitage Gardens (part of Ananda Village) for Thursday evening 6-8pm, Jimmy and I jumped at the chance and signed up.  For a small fee, we'd be free to roam the gardens, sans the daily throngs of people eager to see the tulips, take as many pics as we could stand, and simply enjoy the tranquility of the gardens.  Oh boy, the weather had finally warmed and the sun had shone much of the week, so the flowers would be bloomin' like crazy! 

Roughly 45 people were able to attend, and what a treat we were in for.  "We planted over 111 varieties of mid- and late-season Dutch bulbs this year,” said lead Gardener, Nancy Mair. “We blend tulips with a rainbow of complementary pansies, wisteria, rhododendrons, azaleas, peonies, dogwood trees and the fabulous cherry trees, so that guests enjoy a different garden in each terrace.”

Blue Berry Ripple is the berry/white tulip in the foreground.

Throughout the month of April 2019, folks are able to enjoy the glorious color and serenity of 17,000 tulips in bloom for Springtime at Ananda at Crystal Hermitage. Since opening to the public, its garden’s beauty has been enjoyed by over 48,000 visitors from around the world.  As you might imagine, weekends are packed.

The sensational kwanzan sekiyama cherry trees were blooming, both pink and white (above and below). These are the same as the famous Washington DC flowering cherry trees.  Standing beneath either was like being in a cloud -- so glad we didn't miss this!

Tulips are the most popular spring bulbs and many gardeners reserve a special place for them in their garden, a spot of bright color; I have mine planted in a large pot.  Currently, over 3,000 registered tulip varieties exist, which are divided into fifteen groups, mostly based on the flower type, size and blooming period.  As I mentioned, 111 varieties are represented at Crystal Hermitage. 

I was being splashed!

Tulips generally signify perfect love, and different colors often carry their own significance. Red tulips are most strongly associated with true love, while purple symbolizes royalty. White tulips are used to claim worthiness or to send a message of forgiveness.  In these gardens, seeing the many shades of tulips tiered together with lobelia, alyssum and pansies was breathtaking!

Another view of the cherry tree.

The late afternoon sun highlighted the trees below.

The “Moksha Mandir” means temple of spiritual liberation.
It wasn't open during our visit.

The group as a whole either drove or walked to a ridge to catch the sunset.  We were a tad late to see the sun actually sink below the horizon, but we enjoyed the onset of twilight.  The surrounding hills remain a deep spring green, thanks to cool and rainy weather.

Jimmy watching the big ol' full moon rise.

We wondered if we'd be the only two people with point 'n shoot cameras, but, no, a few others showed up with small cameras, or their phones or a tablet.  Many, however, did have large cameras and tripods.  We used our two working cameras, a black Canon and a red Olympus; aka, the black camera and the red camera.  These photos are from the black camera which I use.  Tomorrow I'll post pics from the red camera.  It was a marvelous evening.