spring in the garden – a pleasure to share

by Sharon Santoni

snowdrops in the garden

Spring really is just around the corner now and I am very excited about a special event that I’ll tell you about in just a minute…..   First though I have to say that the snowdrops in my garden are in full bloom, and the daffodils only need a day or two before they open up bright yellow and I can hardly wait to get back out there and start planning and hoping all over again.

Don’t you think this early spring in the garden is one of the best moments?!    Full of promise, and potential, and wishes and good resolutions.  This is the moment when a gardener like me sees the year ahead full of colour and blooms and overflowing beds;   when you can almost taste the fresh tomatoes that will surely grow in the potager and when the perfume of the roses climbing up the barn wall is already real, where your basket of picked flowers feels heavy in your hand.

mixed border in the morning sun

 

But actually the garden is not a place to be enjoyed alone.  Gardeners are renowned for sharing their pleasure, for learning from each other.  When they’re not comparing notes, then they are taking cuttings for a friend or dividing bulbs for a neighbour.    Produce from the kitchen garden tastes all the sweeter for being shared, and nobody can eat all the cherries or apples from a tree, it’s far better to spread the bounty!

But most of all, gardening is an art or a pastime or even a science where you never finish learning.  Every year I have new projects for my garden, and I regularly visit and revisit other gardens to gain inspiration and learn from their design.   And that is one of the things that I love so much about the garden, is that you can travel around the world, and meet people from all walks of life, and if they have a shared passions for gardens then you never run out of conversation.

And so it is that in just a few weeks time, I’ll be taking that love of gardens across the Atlantic to Omaha Nebraska where I am invited to speak at the Lauritzen Gardens Spring luncheon and arrange a few flowers.  I’m so looking forward to this event and to signing books and meeting the guests and hearing about gardening in their part of the world.    So if you are close enough to Omaha, and you’re free for lunch on Tuesday April 4th, then come along!   I’d love to say hello.   I’ll be signing copies of My Stylish French Girlfriends after the lunch too.

lauritzen garden guild omaha nebraska

I have a date in Dallas the week before, and  I’ll be able to give you the details on that very soon, so if you can’t make Omaha then maybe Texas is closer to your home.

spring flowers on a table

29 comments

Irene G Peterson February 27, 2017 - 9:15 pm

Always a pleasure to open up your recent email. You have inspired me as always.

With affection, Irene Peterson

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pam meier February 27, 2017 - 9:15 pm

I love the Lauritzen Gardens! We lived in Omaha when I was a child and returned for a visit about 5 years ago and spent an afternoon immersed in the beautiful expanse of flowers, grasses, and trees. I now live in Minnesota and we are lucky to have the MN Arboretum. But there really is nothing quite like the prairie! Safe travels and thanks for sharing all things beautiful with the rest of us.

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Edy Cowan February 27, 2017 - 9:38 pm

These are precious …. make my heart sing

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Vicky from Athens February 27, 2017 - 9:54 pm

Sharon, what gorgeous photos! We’ve had such crazy weather here, things that normally bloom in April are already open. My forsythia is just about spent and my azaleas are in full bloom. Now the wisteria is beginning to bloom! I wish I could come and hear you speak in Dallas or Omaha but alas, Georgia is just too far away. Still, I was very fortunate to meet and speak with you last year in Marietta!
Safe travels and enjoy your time in the States!

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Taste of France February 27, 2017 - 10:03 pm

I know Omaha very well. The gardens are lovely. You won’t need a taste of France there, but if so, go to la Buvette in the Old Market. If I were you, I would eat Mexican food (Omaha is known for steak, but I find that boring).
South of Omaha is Fontanelle Forest, which is wonderful and wild.

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audrey February 27, 2017 - 10:31 pm

Lovely photos of garden flowers. Your forthcoming event in the States sounds very interesting – would be lovely to have a similar one in France, perhaps near your home in Normandy.

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Our French Oasis February 27, 2017 - 10:53 pm

I totally agree with you, gardens are for sharing. When I plant tomatoes and everything in the vegetable garden I always make sure I plant plenty, half of the fun is being able to give things away to friends and as you say, share our gardens.

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Sandra Evans February 27, 2017 - 11:31 pm

I so look forward to spring and planting in the gardens. I don’t live close to Omaha however, I hope you get a chance to come to California. Safe travel to the States.

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Mayree February 27, 2017 - 11:40 pm

How exciting to see the beautiful spring flowers in bloom! Here in the Pacific Northwest we are still living in winter with a fresh dusting of snow when I awakened this a.m. I am so ready for warmer weather and starting my garden seedlings inside this week and enjoying a few primrose in my windowsill.
Enjoy your visit to the U.S.

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Corinne February 28, 2017 - 12:14 am

I also used to live in Omaha. Loved that city and the area. Wish I could attend but it is a bit out of my way now since I live on the East Coast! Have a lovely time visiting.

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Doris Clark February 28, 2017 - 12:53 am

Always love opening up your emails!

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Mariana Greene February 28, 2017 - 12:57 am

What? Where in Dallas? The Dallas Arboretum? I am retired garden editor in Dallas and now freelance garden writer. I need to know about this asap!!!!!

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Sharon Santoni March 1, 2017 - 3:47 pm

emailing you! xx

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jane Sloan February 28, 2017 - 2:11 am

You will have a blast with the ladies in Omaha, they are the best!!
Would love to get you to Nashville sometime!

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Gail February 28, 2017 - 3:29 am

I’m so happy that you’re coming back to the states and getting to share your garden secrets and thoughts. I so enjoyed meeting you in Kansas City last year. I love your book and have shared it with my daughters and friends. I felt if I could have heard you speak about your passions, it would have been a perfect day. I hope that all that come to meet and listen to you enjoy it as much as I did.
Thanks for sharing in your blog.

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Jan Drury February 28, 2017 - 4:04 am

Thanks for sharing your beautiful garden with us. I so love gardens, having now moved into an apartment, now don’t have much space. Plenty of pots large & small on my balcony with lots of colourful flowers and plenty of herbs. So delightful to sit out amongst them enjoy your trip to the US again.

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Darina February 28, 2017 - 8:08 am

Lovely Spring post! Can’t wait for Spring to arrive here too!

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dee poquette February 28, 2017 - 2:51 pm

Sharon, just saw recipe for tiramisu and those wonderful pots. How perfect! Will be on the look out for something like that in the States but so hard to find. Also, wondering if you have plans for New York visit and book signing sometime in the future?
Sincerely,
Dee Poquette

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Maude Ciardi February 28, 2017 - 2:51 pm

So Happy to hear you are coming to the US I Live in Ohio so I do not know if it is possible to come. Gardening is my passion and I just love your blog. Thank you for sharing and bringing France to America.

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bonnie groves poppe February 28, 2017 - 9:10 pm

That star magnolia! So beautiful. I garden in Provence and the bees are just beginning, saw a butterfly last week. The weather is above normal temperatures, and we will soon be in full bloom. My ancient amandier (which is very tall and has a lot of dead wood) is bravely blooming. Also coronilla and many wild orchids in the garden. Quite different conditions than Normandy!

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Esthe George February 28, 2017 - 10:37 pm

Hi Sharon, I love Star Magnolia, and all of the above. Thank you for sharing beauty. Till next time, regards Esther from Sydney on a very wet 1st day of Autumn. PS can’t wait to see your flower arrangements.

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Gina @www.ginadiamondsflowerco.com March 1, 2017 - 12:03 am

You are so right….gardens are to be shared. I love talking to my friends about all things garden. Thanks for the reminder.

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Paula March 1, 2017 - 11:16 pm

How exciting, and what beautiful images of your garden! Please do some London or UK dates in the future Sharon – it would be lovely to attend a signing of your gorgeous book over here! x

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Botanic Bleu March 2, 2017 - 9:53 am

Sharon,
Dallas! Whoopee! I live within an hour’s drive of Dallas and can hardly wait to hear the details of when and where you will be. I am so excited.

Judith

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