Saturday, January 14, 2017

Bayview Arbor

We are sitting at home with an ice storm outside.
 Christmas is behind us,  the tree is down and back
  in the attic and I'm yearning for 
Spring already! 
One of my favorite things to do on a winter's weekend is
 to revisit our vacation destinations
 through our photos.  It's an escape from the cold dreary days that seem to linger in January and February and reminds of  the places we love.



Our visit to Whidbey Island in Washington  included
  a stop at  the well known Laburnum Arbor
 in the Bayview Farm and Garden Center.






I've seen photographs of the arbor in garden calendars,   books and magazines and thought it must be in a large botanical garden somewhere.  When vacation planning I discovered the arbor was growing in the middle of a retail garden center outside a charming town we would be visting.   


We hope to revisit again when the laburnum is in full bloom but here is a picture of my hubbie under the 
arbor in July.  The laburnum also known as 
'Golden Chain Tree' blooms in the spring.  The trees have been trained onto an arch support.  When looking at the photos I originially thought these were prolific vines.    


 I would love to be a loyal customer if we lived nearby.  
The selection and quality of their plants was impressive.  The staff was so helpful and knowledgeable, even giving me advice for my garden in Oklahoma. 


I'm a hydrangea lover and wish I could easily
 get these varieties at home.
This is 'Bobo'



The panicle hydrangeas are stunning!





The Flower House Cafe within the  garden center 
 serves homemade soups, sandwiches and 
wonderful coffees.   










The garden center was a delight to visit in July with so many beautiful flowers and plants in bloom. 


















The dahlias were huge and throughout Whidbey Island I noticed dahlias growing in gardens and in bouquets for sale at farm stands.



    

Hope you enjoyed the armchair tour of Bayview on Whidbey Island.  The area is beautiful with so much to do and see. 
 It's so worth the journey!



 Peace out and stay warm and safe!


10 comments:

  1. Goodness...the arbor had me at Hello! This is one cool place, Sonia. I would love to visit the garden center, too. How could you not be inspired?

    Thank you and I wish you an early spring! ;-D

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  2. Oh my - these photos are pure joy! I love love gardening and your photos are lovely and also your header!

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  3. Sonia, I love Whidbey Island in Washington. We went 2 years ago for vacation. We discovered a cute little garden shop called Petals. We also went to Christianson's Nursery & Greenhouse in Skagit Valley. It was definitely worth the trip. It looks like Bayview Farm is another stop on my bucket list. Thank you for stopping by. Happy Sunday! Hugs, Jody ♥

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  4. I love garden centres and this is my kind of outing! My favourite centre which is not that close but worth the drive makes little garden displays with potted plants. They have pots of the plants right beside the display so people can purchase and recreate it at home.

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  5. What a lovely way to spend a winters day. Your photos are so colourful. I too love Hydrangeas but haven't yet found white ones. Those bright yellow chairs are lovely too. Stay warm. We have just experienced an awful heat wave but it's been forgast a cooler week,so we managed to get out into the garden today for a tidy up. Always a pleasure.
    Jeanette ann

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  6. What a nice tour -- and from the comforts of my armchair! I didn't know there was a laburnum arch her in the US. I only knew about several in England, especially the famous one in Rosemary Verey's garden, underplanted with alliums. I planted a laburnum in my yellow garden a couple years ago, but it hasn't bloomed yet -- I hope it will someday.... Anyway, thanks for the tour. Hope your spring is lovely! -Beth

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  7. Wow, I did not know about this place. While not super close, it's someplace I should visit. Thanks for the tour!

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  8. Absolutely beautiful!

    Chippy White Cottage Blessings,
    Rebecca

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  9. So, so, so pretty!! I'm glad spring came early this year in OK for us. It's exciting to see things blooming already, love it!!

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