I met some friends in the gardens for lunch today. It was mild and beautiful and we had a lovely relaxed time together. But I arrived early (intentionally) and took some pics.

These are dahlias, but with dark foliage.

Almost heart-shaped.

The spikes are, I suppose, intended to say “Keep Away”. But if the spiders got the memo, they ignored it.

Little pagodas. No that’s not what they’re called, but that’s what they look like.

If you look closely at this one, the tight flowerbuds look just like popcorn about to burst.

Pineapple trees these are not, but again, they could be…

Now this is symetry.

I love these with the leaves appearing to have been skewered by the branches. They look like caterpillars made in kindergarden, with discs strung on a string.

Past their prime, but these ecchinacea are still gorgeous.

This is what a drift is supposed to look like…

Does anyone remember a tv program from the early 70’s…english…with a dog called Dougall who was all but hidden under his long coat? This looks like a Dougall family reunion to me.

Red dahlia with the same dark foliage

Looking out from the Rose Pavilion

Ceiling of the Rose Pavilion.