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In long walks Beethoven found inspiration for his compositions. In 1810 he writes:

“How glad I am to be able to roam in wood and thicket, among the trees and flowers and rocks. No one can love the country as I do.”

Can mere mortals try and create, through music, the images of beautiful flowers, of a colored arc of light reaching for the sun-kissed rain, of a moon shining brightly enough through the clouds so that it illuminates the night sky?

Absolutely, yes. However, I do believe it is important to follow these four simple credos:

Keep music in your heart and mind every minute of every day.

“It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter.” - John Keats

“Beauty is truth, truth beauty.” - John Keats

The flowers seen here are all grown, cultivated and cared for by Richard, courtesy of Mother Nature. As Beethoven said, there is a strong connection between

music and nature.

  • Star Magnolia

    Buffeted by the chill of some of March’s winds, the sweet fragrance of the star magnolia is joyfully greeted by every gardener.

  • Forsythia

    A sure sign that spring is here.

  • PANSIES

    A garden muse holding up a bowl of pansies in early spring.

  • Lilacs

    A heavenly scented bloom that peaks on Mother’s Day.

  • The "Miss Kim"

    A sweetly scented dwarf lilac.

  • Viburnum

    The sweet and spicy “Spring Snowballs”.

  • Phlox

    St. Francis, known for his ministry to the poor and his care for nature and animals, he founded the Franciscan order and was canonized on 16th July 1228. His monument is shown here with creeping purple phlox.

  • Tulips

    A multicolored display of Darwin tulips standing at attention as the midday sun climbs higher and higher in the sky.

  • Yellow Magnolia

    Yellow magnolias against an azure sky. The smell of fresh lemons is a delight,

  • Azaleas

    Only God could create colors so glorious and pure. Azaleas bloom in April and May.

  • Parrot Tulip

    The exotic and idiosyncratic “parrot” tulip.

  • Gardenia

    There’s nothing like a heavenly, sweet and spicy Gardenia for southern charm. Blooms all summer.

  • Rose

    King of the summer garden - “A rose is a rose is a rose.”

  • Dahlias

    Undisputed garden champion of August through first frost: The Dinnerplate Dahlia

  • Chrysanthemums

    Chrysanthemums

    The bittersweet coming of autumn.