Look Up

Chimneys and steeples weren't the only things that had me craning my neck in Buffalo. There are dozens of second story porches throughout the neighborhoods we visited, something I rarely see in Syracuse or Oswego. Some of them had more plants than the garden! Some of these were officially on the walk and some weren't.

No porch? No Problem!

Even this pub downtown had us looking up!

Great Weekend!

Country Girl and I spent the weekend in Buffalo for Garden Walk and we had a great time despite the fact that she was tired and I was cranky. We got to meet Jim and his wife, Elizabeth and her husband, Susan, Michele and lots of very friendly gardeners. We really think Garden Walk would be a great place for a big bloggers meet up.

We started off Saturday morning at Jim's and he has the most unusual planting that we've seen to date. He has an espalier of fruit trees and of course I forgot to take a picture because I was too busy talking, but take at look at his blog.

The weather was a bit iffy Saturday afternoon and we thought that would cut down on the crowds and we could have the gardens all to ourselves. Everyone else had umbrellas too.


For the most part the walkers are polite but there were a couple of incidents that made me wonder if some of the gardeners will say "never again"! I don't know how this lawn held up. When we were there people were swarming all over it even though you could easily see this gorgeous bed easily from the sidewalk. Maybe I'm just cranky because I couldn't get a good picture without any backsides.

Several gardens had areas that looked trampled and there was no need for it. People were in a hurry and couldn't be bothered waiting to use the garden paths, sidewalks and driveways. One house sat on a teeny tiny lot quite close to the sidewalk and still had an incredible number and variety of flowers. We were appalled as an older couple boldly walked up to the house and started looking in windows! We're fairly certain someone was home. It would have made our day if the homeowner had opened the door just as the couple was trying to look in!

This fountain made us think of Annie in Austin.

A buffalo in Buffalo!

While my sister was engrossed in beautiful plantings I kept distracting her by making her look at various architectural details. What's not to love about this house? It was the chimney that held my attention.

Buffalo is full of churches.
The sun really washed out the dark stone facade.

This house didn't have a garden
but look at the harlequin design.

I would love to have a porch. Country Girl has a small one.
I loved most of the ones we saw but especially several rounded ones.

Over the next few days we'll share some of the garden and flower pictures we took.