Europe is a planter paradise

Editor's note: This is part two of Beverly Peterson's European trip to see the beautiful gardens and parks:

A visit to the New Carlsberg Glyptotek Museum provided another delightful set of garden spots. There were planters to brighten the outside entry area but even more delightful was a sitting area where passageways to different areas converged.

Sitting on benches flanked by planted areas, a person would be facing a waterfall area with plantings around its pool. It was a tranquil spot. Up a few steps was a little cafe, a lovely place to sit and look down on the lovely garden area. Oh yes, the artworks from all periods of history were also delightful.

All through the old part of Copenhagen, spring flowers were apparent, providing natural beauty to the brick and cobblestone areas. Later we found a flower market selling arrangements of flowers for homes and street vendors.

As we drove past yards and parks in Stockholm, Sweden, early spring gardening was under way. In a park, a large rectangular area had been dug up with two smaller rectangles within each other. The small center one already had transplants, the one encompassing it was being planted and the outermost "ring" was awaiting its plants.

I could imagine three types of flowers in three different colors with the tallest at the center and tapering down to the smallest in the outer area. This type of planting was done in other countries where a design was already planted with the outlining rectangle to be planted. Varied shapes, geometric and flowing, were seen.

In Finland, we visited Hrittask, the studio home of three architects who wished to be away from the bustle of the city in order to concentrate on their designing. One, Eric Saarinen, became famous in our country for his work. The studio home was beautifully built of logs and natural stone and blended well with the isolated area. Flowers were blooming in the English-style garden areas by the house and there was even a small flowering tree in the yard.

In Tallinn, Estonia, we were in the historical section with cobblestone and brick streets. There were cafes on platforms with planters attached to their side rails to give atmosphere to their diners. We also found an outdoor flower market. Flowers in bunches and vases priced and ready to sell were on display to tempt the passer-by.

Many flowerbeds were placed around the bases of statuary. This seemed to be the case in all of the countries. One that stood out was in the Gustav Vigeland Park in Oslo, Norway.

Vigeland is a park of statuary celebrating man's progress from cradle to grave. The outer walkway was separated from the main area by beautifully blooming flowers. The final statue is of the sculptor himself. It is boxed in by a bed of flowers and has the distinction of being the only statue of a clothed person in the whole park!

Of course, there was a fountain in the main part. Much emphasis is put on the soothing effects of moving water, spraying or flowing, and the relaxing sounds it produced.

The gardens at Peterhof in St. Petersburg, Russia, were especially beautiful. There was a large fountain area with the waterway extended out to the sea. Statuary abounded in the fountain areas and alongside the waterway. Gardens surrounded it.

The darker green of the hedge's geometric designs contrasted with the light green of the grass. The hedge area led to the wooded areas. From the balcony it was a breathtakingly beautiful sight.

In Gdansk, Poland, we passed balconied apartment buildings. One was especially beautiful with all of its balconies sporting beautiful potted plantings.

Even at the top of the famous ski slope at Holmparken outside of Oslo, Norway, planters with flowers were guarding the edge of the large walkway between the restaurant and the precipice. It was a beautiful safety barrier.

Back in Denmark, we visited the National Gallery, where there were large square raised garden areas with walkways between them. The flowers were blooming well by then.

At Roskilde Cathedral where the royals are traditionally buried, we also found planted areas. The flowers were blooming well there, too.

Somewhere, if we looked hard enough, we could find a garden or planter with flowers anywhere we wandered.

Back in Yuma, our vegetation is beautiful! Brilliant Mexican bird of paradise, bougainvillea, trees and other shrubs that grow in our desert area delight my eyes. It's good to be home.

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Beverly Peterson is a Master Gardener, past president of Yuma Garden Club and currently western district director.