"When Spring unfolds the beechen leaf" - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

mark12_30 · 05-19-2003, 10:15 AM

That professor sure had some fun twists and turns and tricks up his sleeve!

Nuru, what I recall from Gandalf's compliment to Bilbo (Early on before Bilbo's departure) was, "How bright your garden looks!" And then TOlkien describes it a bit-- as I recall, nasturiums and snapdragons were on the list, and I think sunflowers?

I don't have my book here to look it up, they were fall-blooming annuals, I think.

And there's a Hildebrant picure that for some reason always sticks in my mind... very lush shady look... not what Tolkien drew, but heart-wrenching in its own way.

And then there is of course Tolkien's classic depiction of The Hill, which gives us the overall layout and was what inspired me to ask, Formal or Informal?

I'll be back with what links I can find.

Oh, boy. This is the inspiration I needed this spring...

(off she goes, hunting for pictures...)

EDIT

Rats. Can't find the one I was looking for. aybe it's just too old; it's from when I was a kid. If my memory serves, it was Sam cutting the "verge", surprised by Gandalf; but not yet being dragged up by an ear: he was listening. The foliage all over the ground was like wild lily of the valley.

But... that isn't mentioned in the books.

[ May 19, 2003: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

mark12_30 · 05-12-2009, 05:29 PM

Inside Bag End, Bilbo and Gandalf were sitting at the open window of a small room looking out west on to the garden. The late afternoon was bright and peaceful. The flowers glowed red and golden: snap-dragons and sun-flowers, and nasturtiums trailing all over the turf walls and peeping in at the round windows.

‘How bright your garden looks!’ said Gandalf.

mark12_30 · 05-12-2009, 05:31 PM

They are amost unfolded, the lovely beechen leaves.

Shire violets, Bree myrtle, beorn-bears-breeches, wilderland lilacs, Eowyn's wysteria, Frodo's bleeding hearts, and a handful of lingering poet's narcissus. Overall a lot of purple.

What is spring doing in your Tolkienish garden?

I wonder... What flower do you associate with your favorite characters? Or to put it another way-- what character do you associate with your favorite flowers?

Luthien is associated with Niphredil (snowdrops), this we know. And Arwen and Aragorn, with Elanor (this we know.) Also with the White Tree blooms.

What kind of flower do I think Amroth would most enjoy?

How about you-- favorite flowers for favorite characters?

***Mithadan*** · 05-25-2009, 12:21 AM

In honor of Birdland, who I dearly miss, I am bumping this up for further consideration.

Lush · 05-25-2009, 03:13 AM

I was able to spend a week in Kiev this month. There was an honest-to-God nightingale in the trees of the old cemetery across the road. The chestnuts and cherries were in bloom and you could smell the sticky new poplar leaves.

I remember stepping off the plane and smelling the rain and flowers and thinking that there isn't a place in the world that feels this way in May. Even the drunks in the park were cheerful. Even the stray dogs drinking from rain puddles were wagging their tails.

mark12_30 · 05-26-2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lush

I was able to spend a week in Kiev this month. There was an honest-to-God nightingale in the trees of the old cemetery across the road. The chestnuts and cherries were in bloom and you could smell the sticky new poplar leaves.

I remember stepping off the plane and smelling the rain and flowers and thinking that there isn't a place in the world that feels this way in May. Even the drunks in the park were cheerful. Even the stray dogs drinking from rain puddles were wagging their tails.

I never knew Luthien lingered in Kiev.

Annunfuiniel · 05-25-2009, 05:27 AM

So, the spring is virtually gone and summer is waiting just around the corner. I've been a bit lazy in my garden this spring though, so there's still much to be done. A whole lot indeed, for my garden is old and not that well kept (we have owned this place for just a year and a half)... So, instead of beautiful, even lawn we have a field of thousands of dandelions (if that weed didn't have those bright yellow flowers I’d be sure it’s the invention of Sauron himself!!). It seems hopeless...

But luckily there are other things blooming or coming into bloom: apple trees, some spirea, violets (the easiest flowers for someone not born with a green thumb, me thinks), daffodils... My lilies are growing fast, and so are the hosta and peonies. Got to love the springtime!

I must take part in this "for or against" oaks -discussion. Where I grew up oak didn’t survive very well the winters and was thus very rare. Now that I've moved to a somewhat milder climate (within the borders of this northern country) I truly am broud to be the owner of one (still quite young, but no matter) oak tree! Alas, beeches don't have much chance growing here, though now I'd really like to have some planted in my garden...

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark12_30

How about you-- favorite flowers for favorite characters?

Don't have favorite flower for one specific character in mind but must say I can't think of a more elvish flower than gladiolus... Can't wait them to bud in my own flowerbed.

mark12_30 · 05-26-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Annunfuiniel

I must take part in this "for or against" oaks -discussion. Where I grew up oak didn’t survive very well the winters and was thus very rare. Now that I've moved to a somewhat milder climate (within the borders of this northern country) I truly am broud to be the owner of one (still quite young, but no matter) oak tree! Alas, beeches don't have much chance growing here, though now I'd really like to have some planted in my garden...

We have taken down about ten oaks this year, ostensibly for the firewood and to make room for a veggie garden, but coincidentally the beech trees now have a great deal more room to stretch their limbs.

THis year we are definitely siding with the entwives... at least around the house. Back acre is still entish.

Quote:

Don't have favorite flower for one specific character in mind but must say I can't think of a more elvish flower than gladiolus... Can't wait them to bud in my own flowerbed.

For some strange reason, at the moment, when I thought of Amroth I thought of Cosmos. I'm not sure why that makes emotional sense. I'll have to give it a lot more thought. Since his voice comes on the wind from the south-- but I'm not thinking of his voice, I'm thinking of his character... but I still don't get why I like the idea. Must ponder.

05-19-2003, 10:15 AM	#1
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	That professor sure had some fun twists and turns and tricks up his sleeve! Nuru, what I recall from Gandalf's compliment to Bilbo (Early on before Bilbo's departure) was, "How bright your garden looks!" And then TOlkien describes it a bit-- as I recall, nasturiums and snapdragons were on the list, and I think sunflowers? I don't have my book here to look it up, they were fall-blooming annuals, I think. And there's a Hildebrant picure that for some reason always sticks in my mind... very lush shady look... not what Tolkien drew, but heart-wrenching in its own way. And then there is of course Tolkien's classic depiction of The Hill, which gives us the overall layout and was what inspired me to ask, Formal or Informal? I'll be back with what links I can find. Oh, boy. This is the inspiration I needed this spring... (off she goes, hunting for pictures...) EDIT Rats. Can't find the one I was looking for. aybe it's just too old; it's from when I was a kid. If my memory serves, it was Sam cutting the "verge", surprised by Gandalf; but not yet being dragged up by an ear: he was listening. The foliage all over the ground was like wild lily of the valley. But... that isn't mentioned in the books. [ May 19, 2003: Message edited by: mark12_30 ] __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

05-12-2009, 05:29 PM	#2
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Inside Bag End, Bilbo and Gandalf were sitting at the open window of a small room looking out west on to the garden. The late afternoon was bright and peaceful. The flowers glowed red and golden: snap-dragons and sun-flowers, and nasturtiums trailing all over the turf walls and peeping in at the round windows. ‘How bright your garden looks!’ said Gandalf. __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve. Last edited by mark12_30; 05-12-2009 at 05:32 PM. Reason: A new answer for Nuru's old question.

05-12-2009, 05:31 PM	#3
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	They are amost unfolded, the lovely beechen leaves. Shire violets, Bree myrtle, beorn-bears-breeches, wilderland lilacs, Eowyn's wysteria, Frodo's bleeding hearts, and a handful of lingering poet's narcissus. Overall a lot of purple. What is spring doing in your Tolkienish garden? I wonder... What flower do you associate with your favorite characters? Or to put it another way-- what character do you associate with your favorite flowers? Luthien is associated with Niphredil (snowdrops), this we know. And Arwen and Aragorn, with Elanor (this we know.) Also with the White Tree blooms. What kind of flower do I think Amroth would most enjoy? How about you-- favorite flowers for favorite characters? __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

05-25-2009, 12:21 AM	#4
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,397	In honor of Birdland, who I dearly miss, I am bumping this up for further consideration. __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.

05-25-2009, 03:13 AM	#5
Lush Fair and Cold Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the big onion Posts: 1,770	I was able to spend a week in Kiev this month. There was an honest-to-God nightingale in the trees of the old cemetery across the road. The chestnuts and cherries were in bloom and you could smell the sticky new poplar leaves. I remember stepping off the plane and smelling the rain and flowers and thinking that there isn't a place in the world that feels this way in May. Even the drunks in the park were cheerful. Even the stray dogs drinking from rain puddles were wagging their tails. __________________ ~The beginning is the word and the end is silence. And in between are all the stories. This is one of mine~