I hadn't been to Giverny in over 15 years and almost forgot how the garden of Claude Monet differs from all the rest of the gardens which I've seen. It didn't take too long to remember, especially just days after visiting several Italian gardens and also Sissinghurst Garden, where the structure of a garden played such a significant part. Here, in Giverny, I forgot about structure. It was not the architecture with its lines, silhouettes and shapes that grabbed my attention. It was all about color.
Monet who lived here for 43 years (1883 - 1926) experimented with colors and used the garden as a huge artist's palette. I probably don't sound original when I say that being there made me feel almost as if I was inside the paintings of the great master of impressionism.
Monet who lived here for 43 years (1883 - 1926) experimented with colors and used the garden as a huge artist's palette. I probably don't sound original when I say that being there made me feel almost as if I was inside the paintings of the great master of impressionism.
Already after returning home, I read about the effort by the garden's new Head Gardener James Priest to restore the place to something closer to what Monet intended to create at Giverny.
The article is here: An English horticulturalist is restoring Claude Monet's garden at Giverny.
Besides the explosion of color, the other thing that came to my mind was how well known, ordinary plants turn to real stars thanks to their planting in masses and striking combinations with their neighbors.
Here are some pictures I took in the garden in May of this year.
The second batch of pictures (the pond and more of the main garden) is
HERE
HERE
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The Garden official website***Copyright 2014 TatyanaS
Wow, what a riot of colors!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing ~ FlowerLady
Lorraine, thank you! I think I got there in right time!
DeleteBeautiful! Thank you for sharing! I love all the colors and beautiful flowers!
ReplyDeleteHeather, thank you! I love many of these color combinations.
DeleteOMG This is soooo very pretty! I've seen images of the garden at Giverny but never were they so colorful and so full of flowers as yours are. You certainly knew when to visit to experience the garden at its best. I have never been in Giverny, never visited any garden really. I really should start doing so. Thank you for reminding me!
ReplyDeleteMarian
Marian, thanks! Do it!
DeleteOh, wow! That's a dream! It looks like the light was very good that day! Thanks for adding that color and joy to my day!
ReplyDeleteBeth, it was a 'color attack'! I am glad you liked the views of the garden!
DeleteOh my goodness Tatyana... this is the best capture of Giverny I've ever seen and how wonderful that you were able to visit... thanks you so much for sharing.... while not my style of gardening, I can fully appreciate what was done here.... absolutely amazing! Larry
ReplyDeleteTatyana... I wrote a lengthier comment but I'm not sure it 'took'... this is an amazing and beautiful post... thank you... Larry
ReplyDeleteThank you, Larry! I am with you with regard to this style, but the color combinations are stunning and wake up so many emotions!
DeleteWow! Stunning! Thank you for sharing this with us, Tanya!
ReplyDeleteOh my, Tatyana, I want to travel with you! I did see all your Sissinghurst posts, even though I didn't comment on all of them, and I thought they were spectacular, but you have outdone yourself here. Giverny has been at the very top of my "bucket list" for a long time, and you have just added to my desire to see it. I've always wondered when would be the best time to go, but looking at all your photos, I can't imagine a better time than May! Lovely, lovely, and every other superlative you can think of.
ReplyDeleteThis post is just beautiful! I don't think I've seen a tour of Giverny quite this way. You are doing a marvelous job of taking us along on your garden tours.
ReplyDeleteI know the garden of Monet is so different and the most beautiful place I have ever seen. Have been there already four times, twice in May and twice in August. When I see your wonderful pictures I want to go there again........
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your photos and your perspective on the garden. I also visited Giverny, May 10th in fact. I think it may have been earlier than your visit because I don't recall seeing any blooms on the arbor. And yet, the tulips seemed to have been further along in my photos. It was my first time so had no idea what to expect. Yes, all about color. I loved it for that but still have a preference for more structure in a garden, so for me Snowshill and Sissinghurst make my heart beat faster. http://wwwrockrose.blogspot.com/2014/06/a-visit-to-giverny.html
ReplyDeleteRock rose, thanks! I was there on the 11th of May! Many tulips looked tired already. I'll look at your post now.
DeleteBeautiful photos. I've never been to Giverny but your photos are the next best thing.
ReplyDelete