CBG: The view from the street

When we were in Cleveland three years ago we spent a day at the Cleveland Museum of art and squeezed in a visit to their botanical garden. When we were in Cleveland last summer, we again spent a day at the art gallery but this time added a short visit to the natural history museum.

Since I could see the garden from our breakfast table at the Glidden House hotel across the street, I dashed over to take a peek even thought the gardens had not yet opened for the day. These are all shots taken quickly with my iPad during a break in the rain. These areas are outside the main gardens and are adjacent to the entrance driveway and parking ramps. 

Cleveland's Botanical Garden is in the area known as University Circle which is a museum-rich arts area.

i thought this was a great way to hide this utility vehicle ramp from the main entrance drive on the other side of the greenery. 

You can enter from the sidewalk and I am sure many people walk through this area as a shortcut to work or the other museums. 

I took this photo last June for my Madison garden friends to show them that the botanic garden had lost a big Hibiscus just like many of them. Another result of the harsh winter along the Great Lakes. 

I am a big fan of "true" Geraniums and was impressed that the plant was being used as a little hedge here. 

I believe that is a Lemony Lace elderflower in the background. Or was it a Japanese maple with bright foliage? Too fascinated with the Geraniums to take note of the other plants!

Since this bench is right out in the open, it's bolted to the cement. But at least it is subtle and doesn't take away from this peaceful little scene. 

Note how you can see the street and some of the buildings of Case Western Reserve University right behind this tree. The view from that building must be lovely all year. When I visit botanic gardens I try to take a photo of a plant's label so I can identify it later. But it seems like I missed doing it with this gorgeous tree. If you recognize it, please let me know in the comments. 

A busy street on the other side of this planting. It's such a gift to residents that a large area of this garden is not behind fences and gates. I loved walking through and chatting with the folks already hard at work in these outer gardens. 

Since there is nothing green and growing around me at the moment, I will be showing some of my photos from last summer as a break from winter images. 

Comments

[Peter/Outlaw]

What a gift to the neighborhood! Thanks for the visit to summer, just the thing for winter-weary eyes.

[Stephanie O'Neal]

Linda,

It looks like a Stewartia trunk.

Stephanie

[Linda Brazill]

That was my guess. If you think so too, I'm going with it!

[Loree / danger garden]

Public gardens like this are so valuable! Thanks for sharing.

[Kris P]

So much green - and in summer too! I don't know what that tree with the mottled bark is but it's a beauty - and very probably something that doesn't grow in my part of the country.

[Nell]

If the mottled bark of that tree is such a strong feature when surrounded by greenery and flowers, just imagine how showy it is against snow! Inspiring.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

That geranium hedge is amazing. I have never seen this plant used like this. This is giving me ideas. I enjoyed this glance back at summer scenes. I will look forward to seeing more.

[Linda Brazill]

I've never seen geraniums used that way either. It must be a variety that clumps more than entwines like some. I wonder if they prune it?

[Bob]

When I saw the image of the bark I thought immediately of Lacebark Pine

[Linda Brazill]

I think you are correct. Now that I look at the photo again, I see needles not deciduous foliage. We lost one of those trees that we'd had in our garden and I think that I took the photo because of that. Thanks for commenting.