Garden Portraits Newsletter, Autumn 2005
The Changing Seasons
In Autumn, gardeners are busy planning for the spring season. But Autumn is also one of my favorite times of year for photographing in the garden. I love the vivid colors of the changing leaves and the interesting seed pods left behind as the weather turns cold. The lovely bright red holly berries now add an extra sparkle to my front walkway and the mums add bursts of color all around the yard.
When winter approaches, the garden photographer can also look for interesting architectural elements, including the sparkle of ice hanging from the pines, a brown gazebo dotted with white snow caps, and the sharp round balls poking through the landscape from fields of Black Eyed Susans.The gardens' changes make interesting photographs on their own or can be used as wonderful backdrops to your family portraits. The changing light of the seasons accentuates the beauty of the gardens and can be used to create unique personal portraits.
Summer Sojourns to Southern New Hampshire Nurseries
I end the growing season by thanking the garden centers that have allowed me to photograph on their premises this year. Each center had numerous plants that are highlighted in my garden photography gallery. These photographs are available for purchase as notecards or wallhangings by contacting me at Melissa@mannon.org.
I began the season at Pickity Place in Mason. Pickity Place is known for its wonderful selection of herbs, which makes it an ideal jaunt for those like me who feature herbs in their perennial gardens. Pickity Place is also known for the quaint building on the site that served as the model for one of the nineteenth century "Little Red Riding Hood" publications. The gardens served as the backdrop for one of my favorite portraits, which is called "Bird Bubble Bath" and can be found in my portrait gallery.
Depot Farm and Gift Shop in Merrimack was the stop for my first floral shoot of the season. The Depot's beautiful roses are featured in my gallery. Any rose lover would find this place an ideal stop. Don't let the view from the road fool you because behind the small building is a large selection of perennials for the avid gardener.
Mount Uncanoonuck Garden Perennials in Goffstown is featured in many of my gallery photos and was the site or a number of my photography visits this year. I enjoyed their wonderful display gardens and purchased many plants to add to my personal gardens. Mt. Uncanoonuck is a gardener's paradise and home to delightful butterflies, frogs, hummingbirds and other creatures that add to the place's charm and interest for the garden photographer.
Bedford Fields is another wonderful garden center that I visited, photographed, and purchased from numerous times this year. This garden center is open year round as it sports an indoor greenhouse, animal feed, and lovely items for the home. It is a wonderful place for holiday shopping.
This summer I discovered The Mixed Border in Hollis, where I spent an enjoyable morning admiring many plants I had never before seen. The shade arbor at the center of the gardens and stock made a beautiful backdrop for photographs. Just a short distance from Nashua airport, this site will be on my list for frequent return visits next year.
Finally, this summer I headed back to an old favorite spot called Amherst Garden Center. This center is remarkable for its emphasis on water gardening with plants that you will be unable to find for your ponds in other area nurseries.
I encourage all my readers to visit these centers during the open season to find that perfect spectacular plant. Take some time to enjoy a walk among the flowers as a pleasant outing with your family.
Melissa creates garden collages from garden center images and from images taken in personal gardens. For more information or call Melissa at 603-661-7611.