Sunday, June 20, 2010

Peony Festival for Mosiac Monday

Last Sunday, June 13 on a drizzling and dull morning my friend and fellow blogger Judith at
LavenderCottageGardening  boarded a bus with other gardening lovers and hosted by Wendy Downing and Veronica Sliva of Garden Excursions bound for the Canadian Peony Society's Annual Show and Peony Festival at the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens.  Rows and rows of beautiful peonies were on display outside.  Some were so fragrant and some either did not have a fragrance at all or smelled rather yucky.  All  of the peonies were stunning and glorious.   Inside the arena was the judged show with rows upon rows of peonies in vases that have been thoroughly looked at and judged for their beauty, form and condition.  The sun appeared at about noon and was a glorious afternoon.  Our tour took us to the Parkwood Estate, the former home of The McLaughlin family of General Motors fame.  We had a wonderful lunch in the Tea House by the pool seen in the pictures.  After lunch we were taken on a tour of the house.  Sorry no photos were allowed of the inside.   I can tell you it was huge and it was grand.  Needed a lot of servants to keep it running smoothly.   We had no time to look at the gardens after our tour.  We needed to board the bus back home.  But Judith and I said we would go back another day.  Hope you like the photos.   Have a great gardening week.   Join Mary at DearLittleRedHouse for more Mosiac Monday.   ValeriePosted by Picasa

35 comments:

Linda said...

Lovely mosaic. It has been many years since we lived in Oshawa and visited Parkwood Estate.

Snap said...

I bet this was a wonderful day! I do love peonies and can't grow them down here. I'm jealous! Have a great week.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Hi Val
It was a super day! Thanks for mentioning my blog and let's go back soon to see the gardens. Lunch at the teahouse again would be OK too.
Judith

Lana G! said...

I love, love, love peonies! Beautiful!

BailiwickStudio said...

I just adore peonies, and would love to visit a garden of them! ::Jill

eileeninmd said...

Sounds like a lovely day. The peonies and your mosaics are beautiful.

Carol said...

The photo's are beautiful! and looks like a fantastic time! Enjoyed your mosaic!

Doro said...

I did like the photos, and the excursion seems like it would have been a wonderful day. I really need to start taking part in more cultural opportunities. With work being stressful lately, it seems I become more and more a homebody on the weekends. Inspiration like this makes me wish to re-think my weekend strategy.

podso said...

Wow, spectacular! We had our first peonies finally appear this year!

eileeninmd said...

Beautiful day and visit to the gardens. The flowers are gorgeous!

Lori E said...

Are you serious? A yellow peony? I have never seen one before. Wow.

ruma said...

These peonies are very gorgeous.
Form. Color. Those all is beautiful...


Greetings.
ruma

Shirley said...

What a beautiful place that must be. I'm glad you had a chance to visit and have lunch with your fellow blogger!
I love going on house tours.

Mary Lou said...

Really gorgeous mosaic Valerie.

Georgianna said...

Oh, Valerie, this looks like a marvelous day out! I know what you mean – some of the peonies do not smell great to me. But they are all gorgeous. Hope you have a wonderful week. Georgianna

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Is this still opne? I like to attend. Such beautiful flowers.

Ingalill said...

Wonderful mosaic, so beautiful peonies :)

Natasha in Oz said...

I love peonies! These pictures are so beautiful. What a great place to visit.

Best wishes for a great week,
Natasha.

luna said...

Beautful mosaic,I just adore peonies!
Happy MM!

Kathy said...

Oh! My goodness! I want to be there! What a delight for the eyes and for one's heart! Gorgeous peony photos!
God Bless,
Kathy

Anonymous said...

Hi and it's so nice to meet you! Thank you for popping in to see me. Oh, your mosaic is so pretty! I'm sure the festival was breathtaking! Even your header is a lovely mosaic!
be a sweetie and hope you'll come back for a visit sometimes.
Shelia;)

Heather at Dusty Bay said...

Sweet peonies and lovely mosaic - have yourself a great day!

linda said...

Peonies, the belle of the ball in the world of flowers...Southern Belles on parade.
Beautiful flowers.

Wendy said...

Amazing! I would love to have been on that tour. Don't think I've ever seen a yellow peony!

EG CameraGirl said...

What a lovely show. Sorry I missed it!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

They are beautiful. I have not had any luck growing peonies. Thanks for sharing the tour with us.

Sue said...

Valerie, Thanks for stopping over from Mary's. Your mosaic of peonies and the mansion is lovely. I'm not a gardener, although I enjoy looking at everyone else's gardens. I tend towards a brown thumb! It's always fun to do something with a friend. Glad you enjoyed your day at the show.
:-) Sue

Barnyard Country Gifts said...

Peonies are beautiful flowers. Love your mosaic.
Annemieke

Debbie said...

What a wonderful day and such lovely pictures.

Naturegirl said...

Oh my word a peony festival in Ottawa!!I must look into attending perhaps next year!I am passionate about peonies...I did a whole page on my blog with various posts about my peonies...just two bushes that bloom at different times because of location in my garden!
Your mosaic is luscuoius...oh my that yellow one catches my eye!
A frilly peony kind of gal..anna

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Dear Valeria, this mosaic of gorgeous peonies is just so pretty! I would love to have peonies in my garden but I simple have never bought one. After enjoying your post I think I should rectify that.

So nice stopping by to visit with you!

Kindly, ldh

shirley said...

I love peonies and ours bloomed so early and quickly this year because of the heat. I'm glad I get to see this collection because they are so beautiful.
Have a great day!

Mary said...

Wow, that must have been a wonderful show! And the estate looks so beautiful! Thanks for sharing at MM. :)

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Beautiful flowers and estate grounds! I always wonder why places such as these will not allow photos inside? Beautiful mosaics!

Unknown said...

Hi Valerie - I know this is an old posting, but when I saw Peony Festival I knew I had to take a closer look. You see, I used to live in Oshawa and was part of the committee to get the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens started. In fact, after the peonies were donated, it was my idea for the Peony Festival and ran it for the first 4 years. I was thrilled to see that one of my blogging buddies had actually been there!! Small world, eh?

I missed it this year for the first time, but lots of reports about it from dear old gardening friends back in Oshawa

Hoping You Have a Blessed Easter