Scripps-Mesa Garden Club Uncategorized Pohutakawa, the New Zealand Christmas Tree

Pohutakawa, the New Zealand Christmas Tree

Christmas in New Zealand is summer and everywhere around the coast you will see Metrosideros excelsa, the pohutakawa, in bloom.  It’s relative, M. polymorpha, is native to Hawaii and can also be seen planted around Mission Bay in San Diego.

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Japanese Garden in Portland, ORJapanese Garden in Portland, OR

Located across the road from the rose garden (see other post) it is said to be the finest Japanese garden outside of Japan and it is well worth the entry fee. The attention to detail is extraordinary.  Bring a book or a friend or both and stay a while.

Painting by Jan van Huysum 1722Painting by Jan van Huysum 1722

This painting hangs in the Getty Museum, Los Angeles.  The colors, vibrancy and lushness are striking.  Apparently, he could take months and even years to finish works like this because he always had the actual plant in the studio when he painted.  Since the still life comprised flowers, fruits and leaves from different seasons it was a patient task to paint them all in.