Garden Photo of the Day

READER PHOTOS! Kielian's visit to Ecuador, Day 1

comments (9) September 17th, 2012 in blogs

Michelle Gervais, Senior Editor

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The official greeter was asleep beneath the geraniums at this hacienda.

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Photo: Courtesy of Kielian DeWitt

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Today's photos are from Kielian DeWitt in Montana. But we're not seeing her Montana garden today (we've featured her spectacular garden 3 times before--check it out HERE, HERE, and HERE). Instead, she's sharing some garden photos from her trip to Ecuador earlier this year. Kielian says, "I was entranced by the variety and colors of the flowers and produce in Ecuador during my recent trip there. Traveling from Quito at 9400 feet up to 16,000 ft (climbing part way up the Cotopaxi Volcano), back down to Cuenca at about 8300 ft and finally hitting sea level on the coast in Esmerelda, I saw some fascinating plant combinations. Unfortunately, I don't know many of their names, but despite my lack of knowledge, I wanted to share some photos with you.
The cool humidity and moderate temperatures at the higher elevations in this equatorial country remain a comfortable 70-75 degrees year-round. Night time temps require a fire in your room (not many hotels were heated, but those that weren't boasted fine fireplaces)." Gorgeous, Kileian!! *** Kielan sent so many fantastic photos that I split them up into two posts. Tomorrow we'll see the second set, which includes some gorgeous shots of what can be had at the local farmer's market. Yum! Stay tuned... ***

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posted in: Ecuador

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READER PHOTOS! Kielian's visit to Ecuador, Day 2

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READER PHOTOS! Daryl's garden in New Jersey

Comments (9)

Annek writes: @ Quitlingmama: Sounds like you have a lovely vacation planned. Enjoy the wonders of Ecuador! Posted: 9:45 am on September 18th

Quiltingmamma writes: Annek,
I was born in the Caribbean, but returned to Canada when very young. I know the trees as I have been to several other Caribbean Islands, Florida Botanical Gardens, and Africa where these trees grow and people always want to know the name.

I am planning a 3 - 4 week Galapagos Island, Amazon, birdwatching in Mindo cloud forest with some forays into the Otavalo area hoping to stay at some Haciendas and visiting the smaller crafting villages. Thanks for the name of this hacienda, I'll add it to my 'consider' list.

I think the blue porch columns are my favourite too. It's a favourite colour in Peru, too. Posted: 5:17 pm on September 17th

cwheat000 writes: Thanks for the mini vacation. I'm getting a kick out of the official greeter(on a gorgeous bench). Stunning vistas. Posted: 3:52 pm on September 17th

tractor1 writes: I always find Nat Geo contributions facinating. That countryside doesn't look as tropical as I first imagined, I suppose due to the elevation, which leads me to wonder whether those interesting trees would survive the fridgid Catskill winters, or do they not get hard freezes there? That's a very picturesque countryside, actually looks very much like north west Montana in summer (Kalispell?). Now I'm confused, is Annek and Kielian DeWitt one and the same? Posted: 1:54 pm on September 17th

pattyspencer writes: Beautiful! That one tree is just awesome! And I agree - paint the picture! Posted: 10:03 am on September 17th

Annek writes: @ meander1: well, your brain is definitely not aging! You are correct, we took our trip in March while the cold and blowing Montana winds were pushing snow around and Ecuador was just getting ready for an equatorial fall (the beginning of their dry season).

@hummergirl: what a lovely idea! Painting those blue columns with the whitewash walls and trailing flowers would make a wonderful picture!

@Quiltingmama: thank you for identifying that exquisite tree. Are you from Ecuador or the region? The name of the Hacienda we stayed at was Hacienda Zuleta in Angochagua. It is quite out of the way (an hour-plus long trip on a bumpy, part cobblestone, part dirt road), but even if you go there for the afternoon, enjoy a meal and spend time on the grounds, it's worth it. They also host the Condor Andes Rehabilitation Program....it is fascinating. Posted: 9:49 am on September 17th

Quiltingmamma writes: The tree in question is the Golden Flamboyant (Yellow Poinciana) which is a common tropical tree. It also comes in red.

Beautiful photos and a wonderful way of instilling a mood of the area. I have an upcoming trip to Ecuador. I would love to know what Hacienda this was. Posted: 7:19 am on September 17th

hummergirl writes: Wow! they are some great pictures. I just love the courtyard and the blue pillars with the greenery-they are stunning! Since I am a decorative painter, I want to paint the pictures to hang inside my house so I can see them at all times! Thanks for sharing your photos! and can't wait to see Day 2. Fantastic! Posted: 7:15 am on September 17th

meander1 writes: Hmmm, my aging brain is reminding me that the seasons are reversed from ours in the Northern hemisphere so did you take your trip during your Montana winter? I am not much of an adventurer so it's always nice when pictures from another land are shared via GPOD and and remind me that there's a whole big world out there. I especially like the line up of the blue columns with the hanging plants. Posted: 7:02 am on September 17th

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