A couple of weeks ago, when it was still extremely cold (sometimes referred to by me as "butt-freezing cold"), we went to a place in Cincinnati called Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum. It consists of 733 acres of land, 400 of which are meticulously landscaped, containing everything from ponds and fountains to historical buildings. I was pretty surprised to learn that it was founded in 1845, and that the study of plants was one of its main purposes from the beginning. There are 1,200 species of plants grown there, including many "champion" trees (largest in the state or nation), and many that are over 100 years old! Who knew? Anyway, here are a few photos I took when I was there.
One of the historical limestone buildings on the grounds.
I just love the lions with snow on their heads!
A grove of bald cypress Trees.
This beautiful chapel was built by a beer baron. Apparently Cincinnati had 32 breweries in 1875! Again, who knew?
A side view of the same building. I attempted to make this one look like a pen and ink drawing.
A champion chinquapin oak.
There are angels to greet you everywhere.
Adolf Strauch, Spring Grove's first horticulturist, wrote: "There is a certain poetic enchantment… powerfully felt by the beholder… among shady groves of ancient trees, whose trunks are encircled by the garland of eternity, the ivy, and where tuneful birds enliven the stillness of secret solitude."
It really is quite a beautiful place. I can't wait to go back in the spring when everything is blooming!
