Tuesday, October 22, 2013

HIgh class blooms and high flyers, Part 2





The Conservatory at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens


Last year I wrote about my trip to judge the Garden Club of Virginia Rose Show at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond. I talked about the splendid blooms that stole the show, and the Butterflies Live! exhibit that stole my heart.

Randy Scott, Courtesy Tom Mayhew
I’ve just returned from judging the 2013 show and it turned out to be even more spectacular than last year.

Once again, Richmond’s Boxwood Garden Club treated the judges like visiting royalty by throwing a cocktail in the Lewis Ginter rose garden, followed by an excellent dinner (with lots of fine wine) in the Robins Tea House.

Lewis Ginter is a historic property (once owned by Patrick Henry) that features over 50 acres of gorgeous gardens and 9,000 types of plants. More than a dozen themed gardens include a Healing Garden, Sunken Garden, a Victorian garden, and an interactive Children’s Garden. There’s also a classical domed conservatory, a Garden Café, Tea Room and the most enticing gift shop I’ve visited.
A recent addition, but a stunner

The rose garden features more than 80 varieties and 1800 roses selected for repeat performance, fragrance and disease resistance. The visitors I saw were literally spoiled for choice when it came to finding the most sweetly scented blooms in the display.
Crystalline, Courtesy Tom Mayhew


If you are ever anywhere near Richmond, you owe it to yourself to take time to stop and see what I believe is one of the finest gardens in the east.

Snuffy, Courtesy Tom Mayhew
While the judges were chatting during the cocktail party, we heard some of the top exhibitors from several districts would be bringing blooms to the show. The next morning it was easy to see the rumors were correct as we had trouble deciding which bloom would be tapped for Queen.

In the end, Randy Scott took top honors with Crystalline and Snuffy close behind as King and Princess.

Mexican Bluewing
Once the judging was complete, I made a beeline for the North Wing of the Conservatory. I’d heard Butterflies Live! was back and couldn’t wait to have all those brilliant jewels fluttering around me once again.
Dad, is that you?

This year, a Chocolate Pansy (Junonia iphita) landed on the sleeve of my suit jacket and refused to budge. According to lore, this means a loved one from the past has come to say hello, or good luck will be coming my way. (I hope both legends are true.)

I also saw different varieties this trip including a False Zebra Longwing, Common Morpho, Mexican Bluewing and the Julia.

Sadly, the show moves on.

Common Morpho
The Garden Club of Virginia Show moves to a new venue every two years, so this was going to be my farewell trip to Richmond.


Our time there simply flew by. I will miss Lewis Ginter and many of my dear rose judging friends I don’t get to see very often now that we’ve moved to the mountains of North Carolina.

But between the hugs, the high class roses and high flying beauties, I have memories that will lift my spirits for months to come.


Julia



11 comments :

Jonah @ Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden said...

Lynn, We're so glad you got to enjoy the Rose Garden and the butterflies while you were here. It sounds like you really enjoyed your time here, and you got some excellent photos.
Butterflies will be back again in the spring, so I hope you are able to make it down anyway -- even though the Rose Show won't be here next year. ~Jonah

Shenandoah Kepler said...

We live about 2 hours north in Maryland and we have never visited Lewis Ginter, but your photos have made me put it on my calendar for next year. Thanks so much!

Lynn Hunt said...

Jonah, I will be delighted to come back anytime I am even close to Richmond. We are always so busy with the judging, I'd like to come just as a visitor so I can enjoy a leisurely stroll through all the various gardens.

Glad you enjoyed the photos! It was hard to take a picture of the butterfly on my sleeve while holding the camera with my left hand (:

Lynn Hunt said...

Shenandoah, I know you will enjoy your visit! Make sure you go when the butterflies are there. I wanted to stay with those beauties for hours (but had to be considerate of others waiting to enjoy the amazing display.)

Skeeter said...

I cannot tell you how many times we have driven through Richmond and never have we taken the time to Stop and Tour this garden. MIL has told me so much about it but going to see them (Saints parents in VA) takes up our priorities. We must stop some time...

Lynn Hunt said...

Skeeter, you will not be disappointed! But plan to go when the butterflies are there. They will be returning in May next year!

HolleyGarden said...

The butterflies are so beautiful. And what a wonderful place! I'm going to put it on my bucket list. The roses are beautiful, too. Must be extremely hard to judge so many perfect roses.

Lynn Hunt said...

HolleyGarden, I'm so glad you enjoyed the butterflies and roses. I was on "beauty overload" that day! Luckily when it comes to judging, there were eleven of us and we voted more than once. The first ballot was to pick five roses in any order. The second was to choose Queen. I think you can see why Randy Scott won!

Bren Haas said...

Your Blog is BEAUTIFUL!!!

Lynn Hunt said...

Thank you Bren! So glad you stopped by. Please come again soon!

otr said...

Otr 214427
INTERNATIONAL CONCEPT OF WORK FROM HOME
Work from home theory is fast gaining popularity because of the freedom and flexibility that comes with it. Since one is not bound by fixed working hours, they can schedule their work at the time when they feel most productive and convenient to them. Women & Men benefit a lot from this concept of work since they can balance their home and work perfectly. People mostly find that in this situation, their productivity is higher and stress levels lower. Those who like isolation and a tranquil work environment also tend to prefer this way of working. Today, with the kind of communication networks available, millions of people worldwide are considering this option.

Women & Men who want to be independent but cannot afford to leave their responsibilities at home aside will benefit a lot from this concept of work. It makes it easier to maintain a healthy balance between home and work. The family doesn't get neglected and you can get your work done too. You can thus effectively juggle home responsibilities with your career. Working from home is definitely a viable option but it also needs a lot of hard work and discipline. You have to make a time schedule for yourself and stick to it. There will be a time frame of course for any job you take up and you have to fulfill that project within that time frame.

There are many things that can be done working from home. A few of them is listed below that will give you a general idea about the benefits of this concept.

Baby-sitting
This is the most common and highly preferred job that Women & Men like doing. Since in today's competitive world both the parents have to work they need a secure place to leave behind their children who will take care of them and parents can also relax without being worried all the time. In this job you don't require any degree or qualifications. You only have to know how to take care of children. Parents are happy to pay handsome salary and you can also earn a lot without putting too much of an effort.

Nursery
For those who have a garden or an open space at your disposal and are also interested in gardening can go for this method of earning money. If given proper time and efforts nursery business can flourish very well and you will earn handsomely. But just as all jobs establishing it will be a bit difficult but the end results are outstanding.

Freelance
Freelance can be in different wings. Either you can be a freelance reporter or a freelance photographer. You can also do designing or be in the advertising field doing project on your own. Being independent and working independently will depend on your field of work and the availability of its worth in the market. If you like doing jewellery designing you can do that at home totally independently. You can also work on freelancing as a marketing executive working from home. know more, email us on workfromhome.otr214427@gmail.com and we will send you information on how you can actually work as a marketing freelancer.


Internet related work
This is a very vast field and here sky is the limit. All you need is a computer and Internet facility. Whatever field you are into work at home is perfect match in the software field. You can match your time according to your convenience and complete whatever projects you get. To learn more about how to work from home, contact us today on workfromhome.otr214427@gmail.comand our team will get you started on some excellent work from home projects.


Diet food
Since now a days Women & Men are more conscious of the food that they eat hence they prefer to have homemade low cal food and if you can start supplying low cal food to various offices then it will be a very good source of income and not too much of efforts. You can hire a few ladies who will help you out and this can be a good business.

Thus think over this concept and go ahead. Otr 214427

Post a Comment

 
;