We continue to have beautiful snowfalls 
followed by melt, thaw and freeze. On gray winter days, there is nothing more satisfying than gathering colorful pictures of the garden together to create a story.
In one way, it is looking back at the previous year’s triumphs in the garden 
but in another, it is a way of tracing the exploration of an idea over a long period of time. 
Even as I gradually transform the garden into a more pollinator friendly place, I will probably never let go of a few of those plants that inspired me to garden in the first place. I have removed hundreds of plants in my garden in the past three years – those that were invasive or did not serve the eco-system that I am trying to build – and added hundreds of others that contributed to life in the garden. But roses (click on any photo to see a larger image)
daylilies, peonies, lilies, and others
– many of which are interlopers in the North American landscape – still have their place in my heart and I’ve kept those I love the most and which do no harm. My garden behind the fence is still arranged by color and I continue to play in that most ephemeral of paintboxes.
A few weeks ago, I collaborated with a group of gardeners on YouTube to create our own videos of how we interpreted the Art of Gardening, then sharing links to each other’s videos. 
I immediately gravitated to playing with color – it is something that looks good on the screen and people in the northern hemisphere are desperately hungry for color during our long gray and white winters. Creating short garden videos has become a new form of expression for me – I continue to learn and refine my skills while working to add new techniques. My instincts proved correct – my collaboration video has gone a bit viral and gives me encouragement to pursue this avenue of expression. Enjoy a feast of color for the eyes, spring is not far off!
All text and images @2024 Lynn Emberg Purse, All Rights Reserved (excepting the collaboration photo)
composerinthegarden 
Between the gorgeous images, the easy-going, informative text, the music, your soothing voice, and those sweet birds in the background, I say you’ve hit the mark! What a pleasure it is to sit back and watch and listen. I’m not surprised it went a bit viral. 🙂 (Oh, those blush-colored flowers like the Angelique tulip, so perfect!). I bet you have lots of ideas for more videos…I’m looking forward to them!
High praise indeed , Lynn – thank you. I continue to learn and refine the filming and editing process, I’m moving to a better video editor soon – steep learning curve but it will streamline the process. I’m so glad you enjoyed watching – I learn about the garden even as I edit these little videos – who knew? I have a long list of videos to be made, so they will be coming out over the next few weeks and months. So much fun for me!
Good luck with the new editor, that sounds like a great idea. You have a lot to look forward to, between the garden and video ideas. 🙂
This was such a beautiful way to start my day. Thank you, Lynn. ♥
Thank you Robin, I’m so glad.
The colors are scrumptious, and your video is so well executed. A bonus is your narrative-excellent voice and commentary. More to come, I hope!
Thank you, Cynthia! I have been enjoying doing the narration and plan to continue that since it seems to resonate with many. Yes, many more videos are in production now 🙂
I love your gardens, the flowers and the colours, and most of all I love your videos with music. Very very tranquil.
Thank you so much Gerry – I hope you are enjoying your summer!
Such a beautiful video of a very beautiful garden! So well thought out, and just incredible! Thank you for sharing this!!
Thank you, Lori, for your kind words – we need a reminder of color at this time of year! if you make it here this coming summer, I would love to have you stop by in person 🙂
I’m glad you collaborated, and I encourage you to continue doing so! What fun :=)
Also, I was happy to learn the intricacies of your color choices. I’m a devotee of blush colored flowers. The rose Jaqueline du Pre is one of my favorites, simply divine.
And – great video! Maybe one of these years I will finally dive in and try my hand at trying to make one!
Ooh, you should definitely try your hand at video, Kate! I would love to see your garden in that way. I’m working on a before and after on how I started the garden – that would be a cool approach for you too, given how much progress you’ve made in a short time!
I was thinking of trying to do the garden in segments, that way it would be a lot less time fussing over editing, which is the issue I think I’ll run into.
Good idea, keep it simple to start. I shoot about 10 times more than I use – it takes longer to choose but gives me more options.
Beautiful depiction of a beautiful site, Lynn. Kudos!
(The only thing missing was a Pixie sighting. 🙂 )
Thank you, Kerry. Every time I put a Pixie sighting in the video, it drew the eye away from my message, a testament to her appeal! She just had her own feature film, so she got some rest from all the publicity :-))
Another lovely tour of your garden… thanks, Lynn!
Thank you, Eliza – so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
The colors in your many photographs stand out all the more in contrast to your opening view, which is nonetheless pretty in its own way, even if mostly monochromatically brown.
As another commenter said, you’ve become quite the videographer.
Yes, Steve, the first photo is definitely how the world is “now” – the remaining ones are fond memories and visual assistance to getting through the brown and gray of winter! And thank you for the compliment 🙂
“people in the northern hemisphere are desperately hungry for color during our long gray and white winters.” . . . mostly grey in our case but still true. Thank you for the colour.
Thank you tootlepedal – winter without snow seems even more gray! I will endeavor to provide an ongoing feast for the eyes via colorful flower images.
Thank you.
Gorgeous as always, Lynn. You’ve become a very skilled videographer and I love these tours and the music that accompanies the visual feast. I have a pollinator-friendly garden, but would love roses, too, if we weren’t plagued by Japanese beetles…but I do indulge in my love for Angelique tulips. 💕
That tropical garden in LA looked amazing, too! Wow!
Thank you for all the beauty and grace, and for stirring my garden dreams.
Thank you, dear friend. I have been loving creating these videos – they challenge me and are fun too! I will think of you greeting your Angelique tulips this spring. In the meantime, enjoy the quiet season and your garden dreams.
Thanks Lynn. That is absolutely beautiful. You are very right that there is no wrong answer with color. Will await your spring pics even more now.
Graham
Thank you, Graham. Spring is starting to happen here, a few more flower buds starting to show – can’t wait!
Lynn, every single one of these is pure magic — I love how you done a medley of Seasons. Lance
Ah, that is high praise from you Lance! Thank you, and I hope you are weathering the winter well (alliteration not intended!)