Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, it gets ridiculously better...

And this concludes the Gruss an Aachen flower porn, I swear!

I take it back: Gruss an Aachen is fragrant, after all!

I don't know what it is about this weather, if I can blame the temperature or perhaps humidity, but suddenly roses that have had no scent to my nose are perfume powerhouses. 

Take Gruss an Aachen. I've read more than once that it has a strong scent, but I've only occasionally been able to pick up a faint fragrance early in the morning. Until Sunday, and the last two days it's been strongly, wonderfully scented, and blooming its gorgeous heart out.

I can't believe what a transformation this rose has undergone since I moved it from the backyard. I can't believe that I almost yanked it out to put it out of its pathetic, twiggy, blackspotted misery!

The Garden Conservatory's Open Days Tour

After visiting James David and Gary Peese's amazing garden during Spring Fling, I couldn't miss a chance to see it again and drag some more friends along with me during The Garden Conservatory's Open Days Tour. Just like my first time visiting this garden, I spent more time searching out interesting niches and talking to people than I did taking pictures. No matter, the garden was crowded with visitors and the light was terrible for photography, though I did have some decent pictures turn out in the shade.

And ironically, once again I somehow escaped taking a picture of the dramatic lawn. Someday I'm going to compile a list of links to everyone's Spring Fling pictures of that lawn, and it's going to be awesome.