Minneapolis Springtime Gardens: Kristin Perry Photographs our May Color
Someone talented recently gifted me a new perspective on the flowers on our front garden. Kristin Perry is a teacher, writer and photographer who regularly spends time with the botanical world around the Twin Cities. I admire her practice of being quiet and still outside; looking closely and listening deeply to the shapes, light and movement of the earth has become a ritual I think. Often, my work with flowers is hurried. I do find in my garden I slow down, and that is a rare occurrence for me. Present to Beauty is Kristin Perry’s endeavor — find it on IG as a hashtag, but also visit her website, presenttobeauty.com, for more images and thoughtfulness.
Our front garden is shady most of the year, but in spring before the trees have leafed out, it gets enough sun to nourish many early blooming varieties. After a dreary winter, I wake up every day in March and April thinking about what might have changed overnight. I watch the brown slowly speckle with green and then — the May garden is my pride and joy. Already established, an ornamental plum, a weigela, and three rhododendrons made the perfect backdrop. A few hundred bulbs and many perennials later, it’s an absolute burst of color for a couple weeks. My favorite part might be when on walks, little kids stop and make their parents wait on the sidewalk while they hop up on the retaining wall and touch different petals.
Where are your favorite gardens around the Twin Cities? Have you been to the Lyndale Gardens or Peace Gardens by Lake Harriet in Minneapolis? They change so often throughout the season; it’s a magical place! Of course, the Lyndale Gardens also house the Lyndale Rose Gardens, one of the largest in the country!
Thank you so much, Kristin, for taking the time to show us your perspective on these spring flowers.
Pictured are: Tahiti Daffodils, Bleeding Heart, Fritillaria, Hellebore, Ranunculus and Tulips. Most of these are perennials that will come up in your Minnesota garden year after year. Shade sites are not a problem for many of these either, because the absence of leaves makes the site sunnier than usual in spring. I hope this inspires your gardens! Happy planning; happy planting.