It's a secret...

The Morinda (Noni) gardens are still a little known secret! A place as beautiful as this should be swarming with people on a beautiful sunny afternoon... although I suppose foot traffic and business would take away from the serene beauty and charm of the place.
 

It has been 6 years since I worked there, and every time I visit I am awed and amazed at how much everything has grown and matured. Most of the trees were purchased at mature size and trucked in from the Northwest, which gives the gardens a much more established feel than their 9 years would normally lend. These weeping blue atlas cedars are just stunning.

Every flower is like an old friend to me. It was so good to see them all. These peonies are one of my favorites... what a show!

It was very bright outside but we tried to a get picture with the pretty flowers.

The kids enjoyed running around and exploring the gardens, although we have to be careful because there are so many water sources.

This is a beautiful groundcover I wanted to remember for shade... it's called Dead nettle. 
 

It wasn't even there when I was a gardener, so apparently it spreads quickly!

The rose arbor was always one of my favorite spots. Only a few roses were in bloom yet, but there were hundreds of buds. A few more weeks and it will be glorious!

Some more flower favorites... this is called corydalis and is supposed to be good for shade. I've had my eye on it for color in my front flower bed.

Sea thrift is so pretty! It spreads and grows together very slowly but it's so interesting in a rock path area.

This dianthus was a bright splash of color in a raised planter.

I have been looking for shade tree ideas to shade our back deck someday, and I'm considering these zelkovas.... they sure make a pretty tree lawn. 

The lilacs and iris were in full bloom! Ahhhh, walking down this pathway smelled so delicious!

I always loved these coral bells. The tiny flowers are bright but not loud, and I love the leafy green mounds.

The kids were so cute going over the bridge to find a picnic spot.

The stream beds have changed and grown the most over time. The tri-color beech on the middle island was just a little whip when I was there. It is huge and colorful now!

 Whaddya think guys, is this a good spot?

I'll say! It was perfect!

It was hard to keep the kids away from the stream, especially after they spotted the fish and saw them jump when they threw pebbles in.

Then they found a secluded shady hideout. These gardens could be magical for little kids if left to wander and play!

I am in love with this shady hill. Towering on top are three full grown Dawn Redwoods. With the lush sweet woodruff beneath them, you almost feel like you're in a forest.

 I always loved this impressive view of the lawn and mountains. 

This is another groundcover I love called Geum.

Two more colors of iris in full bloom... someday I hope mine look like these!

My mom had this variegated purple variety growing up and I always loved how they smell like grapes!

 

Now here's the real secret... the gardeners pull out all the bulbs ever year to replace them with the annual summer display. If you catch them at the right time, you can get some before they throw them away! I know, it's a travesty... but at least I saved a bucket full from their doom. Now I'm drying them out to replant (and wishing for compost in my flower beds to appear!).

I so love and miss my gardens. I told Mike when I was there amidst them, drinking in the sights and smells and getting my hands dirty, I got lost for a minute and no time had gone by at all... and then I blinked and had 3 kids. :)