Monday, July 06, 2015

In the Morning Light

Monday, July 06, 2015   Mark and Gaz   25 comments

The other day I was muttering to myself that as much as I love summer, one thing that I do miss about the spring over it is the softer lighting. Sunny summer days can mean harsh brightness that make it difficult to take photos with the contrast, and you may have to wait till sunset to get softer tone of lighting. Also looking around can be harsh on the eyes too (I suppose that's what sunglasses were made for).

Love the views of the garden especially on sunny mornings
Then the other day I was reminded that there are the mornings too, that even on a sunny day you get that narrow gap that it is bright but still soft enough to just illuminate but not too glaring.

As I prepared breakfast that morning I caught glimpse of the garden and appreciated how lovely it looked outside. Before I carried on preparing food I went out for a quick and took a few snaps...

 The top patio is home to lots of extra pots this year (more about this later) and this 'lush' side is almost done. The Schefflera macrophylla is glowing in the morning sunshine.

Agave geminiflora, a new purchase this year is looking extra nice that morning too.

The succulents on the the succulent table are bulking up nicely.

On to the koi pond area...

Great display as always from Kniphofia thomsonii, with the bloom spikes looking like flames in a cluster like that.

Cytisus battandieri is extra floriferous this year, so many yellow blooms! Beyond it you can see the burnt trees from the garden fire we had a couple of years ago. They are in our neighbours garden so it's not up to us to remove them.

Chamaerops humilis var. cerifera and Yucca linearifolia getting more blue as the warmer months progress.

And so is this Yucca rostrata.

The Yucca faxoniana in the second raised bed is pushing out even longer leaves and is looking even more imposing, we love it!!

Altogether now!

This Aloe polyphylla has had four winters outside already, receiving no extra protection during the colder months. I wonder when it will reward us with flowers? Even so we are pleased that it is doing really well.

Schefflera delavayi in the third raised bed.

Love the golden glow of this Schefflera rhododendrifolia under the soft morning sun.

So is this Schefflera aff. myriocarpa that is towering above us already.

Once again the first raised bed.


Finally, on my way back to the house to finish preparing breakfast I caught glimpse of the top patio from the koi pond area. Just had to take a photo as for some reason I never really paid attention to this particular view before, and it was looking good in the morning light.

 Must do this more often, get up early on a sunny morning and appreciate the garden in the morning light.

 Mark :-)

Posted in: exotic blog , exotic garden , exotic garden blog , Leagrave Village , summer

25 comments :

  1. Hoehoegrow6 July 2015 at 22:43

    Garden is looking absolutely fantastic ! It looks good in the early morning light - and in every sort of light I imagine ! I love your yuccas - are they all hardy or do they need protection over winter ?

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    1. Mark and Gaz7 July 2015 at 07:28

      Thanks Jane! A lot of garden photographers we've spoken to before prefer early morning light, I'm not surprised why :) all the yuccas in the pics are planted out, with very good degree of hardiness and have been fine out for several years now.

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  2. Alan6 July 2015 at 23:35

    It's funny, but I never think of your garden as being sunny. Now I know why: because you always show it to us when the lighting is softer. :)

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    1. Mark and Gaz7 July 2015 at 07:30

      Thanks Alan :) not all the time but the areas near the house are quite sunny

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  3. ChrisC7 July 2015 at 00:27

    Your garden is so lovely.This time of year,in Florida,the early morning is the only time I get out to take photos.The rest of the day is just too hot and humid.

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    1. Mark and Gaz7 July 2015 at 07:31

      Thank you Chris! We don't get long periods of sunny and humid weather but when it is it can get uncomfortable too with mornings and evenings becoming the best times to be outside

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  4. Lisa C. D.7 July 2015 at 01:13

    Oh yes!! you must do it more often!! and show us the results!! everything is so beautiful!! I really enjoyed this post.

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    Replies
    1. Mark and Gaz7 July 2015 at 07:32

      Thanks Lisa! Next time you're in Wngland we'd love to show you the garden :)

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  5. Denise7 July 2015 at 02:10

    On such beautiful summer mornings, it's a wonder you get breakfast made at all! That is truly an amazing display from A. thomsonii. I keep moving mine around and won't see any blooms again this year.

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    1. Mark and Gaz7 July 2015 at 07:33

      Thanks Denise! I didn't wander further down the garden though as I was still wearing a dressing gown then. That thomsonii has such a long flowering period too :)

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  6. Kris Peterson7 July 2015 at 04:48

    Set that alarm and get out there and take more early morning pictures! The garden looks fantastic.

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    1. Mark and Gaz7 July 2015 at 07:34

      Thanks Kris! Too often though the temptation to lie in is just too much to resist :)

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  7. danger garden7 July 2015 at 06:26

    So glad you didn't just keep the beauty to yourself but rather took the camera along. I know it's been so sunny here that I've almost given up on taking any photos!

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    1. Mark and Gaz7 July 2015 at 07:35

      Thanks Loree! When it's so sunny the contrast can be so much that taking pics becomes almost pointless. Still loving summer though :)

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  8. Libby7 July 2015 at 09:00

    drool, I think I really must rethink my garden,the patio area that is. I love popping over to your blog and seeing the lush planting you have xxx

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    1. Mark and Gaz7 July 2015 at 10:16

      Thanks Libby! But you're doing a fab job already :)

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  9. karen gimson7 July 2015 at 11:48

    I'm running up the green house to bring some of my small palms down to the glass porch. One day they will be as gorgeous as yours. They've just got to grow a bit. I really love your Kniphofia thomsonii . Haven't seen those before. Isn't it great learning something new every day.

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    1. Mark and Gaz8 July 2015 at 10:06

      In no time at all those palms of your will be looking even better Karen :) you'll love K. thomsonii, it has a long blooming season all the way till the first frosts most years.

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  10. Alexandra Campbell7 July 2015 at 14:50

    I just went to a talk on photography where I was told that the best time to take photos is when you want to be eating - breakfast and supper (I presume the speaker doesn't eat lunch). Your morning light looks lovely.

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    1. Mark and Gaz8 July 2015 at 10:09

      Thanks Alexandra! Love the softer tone of lighting on both those periods :)

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  11. rickii8 July 2015 at 01:00

    It's enough to make an early riser of me...almost.

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  12. outlawgardener8 July 2015 at 14:47

    Thanks for taking us along on your morning walk in your gorgeous garden. What's for breakfast?

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    1. Mark and Gaz8 July 2015 at 18:24

      It was just toast that morning Peter....and bacon :)

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  13. debsgarden12 July 2015 at 02:48

    I was thinking today of the harshness of the summer sun, not to mention the accompanying heat! Your photos are lovely. I confess, I am not an early morning person. It is late afternoon photos for me!

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