This week, spring finally arrived, bringing with it a tidal wave of flowers—and tree pollen! European birches are my nemesis. I’ve been sneezing like crazy, but that isn’t going to keep me from getting out and enjoying the sunshine.
We are lucky enough to live near the University Botanical Garden (Ogród Botaniczny) here in Warsaw. The gardens are not large, but they are very well-kept and pack an amazing variety of plants into a small space. There are also greenhouses, and a nice café at the entrance. I have made a mental note to come back with a sketchpad one of these days
Yesterday, the gardens were crowded with families enjoying the ephemeral sunshine and the first blooms of the year. Once again, we were waved in for free. I am just lucky that way!
Tulips at the entrance.
Throughout the garden, students have made these signs and other yard art from various natural materials. “Ogrod” means garden.A burst of orange.An odd lily that caught my eye.Some very intense nature photography going on.“Tulipany” or tulips. We’re pretty much in the hyacinth and forsythia stage here so far, but there are some tulips blooming in sunny places.Magnolia blossoms.Not an American dogwood, but something similar?Exploring the rock garden. (There are always kids everywhere in Poland!)I am fascinated by these houses, which are built to attract “beneficial wasps.”Smaller versions, like this, are sold at hardware stores. I think I’ll buy one to take back to the States.Upside-down pots filled with straw are for bumblebees, if I read the sign correctly.More yard art–an old window frame with hanging plants.Very relaxing water garden.
Well, That Was Different 
What a magical place to greet spring!
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What a nice place! The “not a dogwood” above is a Magnolia. I had thought a stellata, but it only has six petals — maybe a cultivar?
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Nothing makes me happier than a nice botanical garden. Thank you for sharing this one.
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