When very good friends send emails to me that say "check this out", I usually pay attention. My friend Christine, of Shutters fame... the woman who has possibly the best taste in the world when it comes to decorating, sent me this simple cryptic message. There were addresses to 3 nurseries fairly close by. Being a most perfect day, cloudy with chance of drizzle (perfect for me...if you know me), and my husband having the day off, we hopped in the car for an adventure.

I am taking you along to visit one of these nurseries...Calgo Gardens, a most amazing place. If possible, it is both incredibly whimsical and extremely tranquil.

Because the owners, Penny and Mark Estomin were so gracious as to allow me to take pictures, I have this great opportunity to share some of their ideas with you.

The living wreaths are just beautiful, and something that I am going to want to include on one of the porches of our house. I was so taken by them until I saw this potting shed...

and the concept of a living roof blew me away! I fell madly in love with not only the idea, but the shed itself. All of the color, and the path leading to it, and those pots hanging on the walls...simply fantastic!

The only reason that I didn't bring home any of the statuary was because I couldn't make up my mind. I love, love, love the planter that is half a head, and have a spot in mind for it, and I am still on the hunt for a Buddha which I am hoping the one in the upper right hand photo is still there when I go back... I believe he is "the one" for me.

The granite benches and tables made me want to linger. Can you imagine sitting on one of these to take in the beautiful gardens?

I fell for this vignette of the chairs, glass topped table and outdoor chandelier above. This is in front of their rebuilt farm house, which I was lucky enough to have seen inside and I will have pictures for you to see in another post.

This is another porch, and there were so many details that took my breath away...like the carved pillars...
it seemed that where ever there was an opportunity for an artistic detail, it was not ignored.

Be it a birdhouse topped swing, or a front porch with pillars based in the most fabulous mosaics. This is not a place you want to stop by for a moment, but an hours worthy spot to be sure not to miss anything.

Even this antique wash tub that will look amazing with something growing in it...ferns maybe? I had to include it for Brenda of Cozy Little House blog because she knows the decorative value of a vintage tub.

Not only were there pots in every shade you could possibly want, but I also really liked the granite pillar showing N,S,E and W.

I have come away from my experience at Calgo Gardens with a new sense of wonder and awe. There are so many wonderful ideas that I would like to emulate...

and so many things that I would like to look at again. The pictures that I have shown today, are just a few from the porches and outside. There will be another post including pictures of the inside of the farmhouse, and then there is a gift shop...a very large and very unique gift shop. You have to come back to see those pictures because I guarantee that you will be amazed...I was!!
This post is being linked to The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays, Scenic Sundays, Little Red House for Mosaic Mondays, Smiling Sally for Blue Monday, and Between Naps on the porch for Metamorphosis Monday.
♥, Susan