Monday, July 18, 2016

Gorgeous gardens dominate 2016 Garden Bloggers Fling in Minneapolis

I just returned from a wonderful 5 days at the annual Garden Bloggers Fling, held this year in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  It was a long weekend filled with good friends, good food and gorgeous gardens.  It's always so fun to spend time with long-time friends, some of whom came to the very first Fling in Austin, and to meet new Flingers and get to know them.

Our first stop was the Eloise Butler Wildlife Garden and Bird Sanctuary.  The garden includes 500 different plant species and more than 130 bird species.

It was a cool morning -- which felt like heaven to this Texas girl who left behind temps in the 100s in Austin.  We began walking through the most amazing wildflower prairie, walking through narrow paths with beautiful blooms up to my waist and higher.  We brushed by many plants I knew, and many that I didn't.  Peaceful, serene and natural, the garden provided the perfect start our day.


I didn't many photos in this garden, as I focused on being in the moment, truly able to reach out and touch the garden with every step.


These were some of my favorite blooms in the garden.


See how high the wildflowers were?


This is just a short, teaser post. Many more are percolating in my head, so check back soon!
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6 comments:

  1. Jenny H.July 19, 2016 at 9:00 AM

    I've been to the sanctuary - last July when visiting my son and DIL in Minneapolis - and found it to be as lovely as you describe. Looking forward to seeing more from your visit there.

    Also - I'm a new garden blogger and would love to learn more about the Garden Blogger's Fling you mentioned. Thanks!

    Jenny - harmonyhillshomeandgarden.com

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  2. DianaJuly 19, 2016 at 9:15 AM

    Hi Jenny - so nice to "meet" you. The Fling is held every year and it began here with us in Austin. If you go to the search box at the top left of my blog, that searches my website for content only on my site. Just type in Garden Bloggers Fling and you will be able to see many, many posts all 9 flings! We have a private FB group and a website - I will get back to you and get you onto them and you can start planning to join us next year in the northern Virginia/DC area in 2017 and then Austin in 2018!

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  3. Kris PetersonJuly 19, 2016 at 12:20 PM

    I look forward to your fling posts, Diana. I'm hoping to get to the next one!

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  4. DianaJuly 19, 2016 at 1:08 PM

    Kris - It would be great to see you at next year's fling - you'd love it!

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  5. Beth @ PlantPostingsJuly 20, 2016 at 8:13 PM

    The Eloise Butler sanctuary was a highlight ... but there were so many! I really enjoyed the Fling, too, and I was glad to get to know you a little better. The Fling happened during the best days possible. Now we're in a heat wave here in the Upper Midwest, along with much of the country. Great teaser post!

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  6. HelenJuly 22, 2016 at 10:50 AM

    I really enjoyed this garden. The meadow was lovely to explore. Great to see you again, Diana!

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