REDISCOVERING MYSELF THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

My Mother's Peony Garden

My mother will be 91 in August; she has raised peonies for decades, and she earned the reputation as the peony breeder who developed new varieties by crossing the elusive wild peony with domestic ones.  Her garden is definitely "free form," and it has expanded over the years into an area that used to be a pasture for cattle and sheep.  Her peonies are all shapes, sizes and colors--singles, doubles, large and small.   This is a glorious time of year for her and a delightful experience for the visitor, even if I'm her daughter.


That barn is down a slope, across the road and in a neighbor's field.  The zoom lens compresses the scene unrealistically.

The varieties have no set order, and they often overlap.


I didn't appreciate this view when I was growing up on our farm; now I would love to have it! Those are the beautiful  Wallowa Mountains in the distance.

15 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

those are fantastic. she should be extremely proud of her hard work! it's amazing!

joco said...

I'm gobsmacked!
This is so beautiful.
A fieldful of peonies!!
And you grew up with that expertise around you. And that view behind.
Thank you so much for showing us.
Your mother was blessed to have such a passion.

BuyAionAccount said...

Those peonies are awesome! She'll be more proud and happier if you are going to take care of it and make it more productive in the upcoming years.

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urban muser said...

wow, i love peonies and these are stunning! kudos to your mom for creating this beautiful scene.

Renee Howell said...

WOW - This is wonderful! I knew of iris, tulip and daylily farms - but never thought of peony farms. What a view!!! Thank you so much for sharing.

Icy BC said...

Gorgeous colors and peonies are just beautiful. The view is amazing!

elizabeth said...

I love peonies too but i don't think they would survive in this florida heat

Ashley Sisk said...

What a beautiful garden...how wonderful!

EG CameraGirl said...

WOW! Your mother was a peony breeder? I'm thinking she must have pollinated many thousands of seeds to develop each peony worth selling!

Lisa Gordon said...

Truly a photographer's dream Evelyn.
Bless your Mom, these are gorgeous!!

Gail Dixon said...

Wow, I am blown away! What a gift!! Evelyn, you did your mom proud with these photos.

Anonymous said...

They ARE beautiful, for sure, but I love love love the unrealistic shot of the barn, not only cuz it's a barn & I love barns, but w/ the flowers in the foreground & then knowing it's actually much further away than it looks, makes it even more beautiful! Very cool shots, E

Anonymous said...

I don't think I spelled your name out... did I just type an "E"? I'm so sorry, I meant to type Evelyn! I'm such a dingbat

Unknown said...

OMG never seen so much peonies, your mother is real peony artist, this is just amazing. You have to say hello from Finland to her and how much I value what she has done there:)
Henrietta

Gale Wall said...

Beautiful photos, peonies and landscape!