Saturday, September 13, 2008

Pink Saturday - Community Garden

Beverly at the blog How Sweet the Sound has a great idea! It's Pink Saturday. Post about something pink, on Saturday. Here are the rules if you want to Get Pink!


If you stroll along Main Street in the Ocean Park section of Santa Monica, you'll come to a large open space - an entire city block - brimming with flowers behind a chain link fence. These pink hollyhocks were blooming here starting in June this summer.

Did you grow hollyhocks as a kid? My mother did. She taught me how to pick the flower and turn it upside down and make a little lady, wearing a long dress!

This is the Santa Monica Community Garden. Thriving in this spot since 1976, it has 65 individual garden plots for residents to use.

What I love about it is the absolute wild riot of plants that thrive. There are vegetable plots among the flowers, but it's the flowers that catch your eye as you walk by. The hollyhocks are the most striking and impressive plants, but there are also lush rose bushes; plots full of cosmos; huge vigorous shrubs of brugmansia, or "Angel's Trumpet", with their large bell-shaped flowers drooping down behind the chain link fence. Oh, and do "Angel's Trumpets" come in pink? Yes, they do indeed!

This garden is truly a beautiful oasis in the heart of the city. It's the perfect place for a stroll on Pink Saturday. C'mon down, and enjoy!
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31 comments:

  1. Bee Haven BevSeptember 13, 2008 at 5:02 AM

    Hollyhocks are one of my most favorite flowers....they are so old fashioned and make a perfect back drop for a cottage garden! Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Grandma FaithSeptember 13, 2008 at 7:39 AM

    Thanks for the flowers to start my day!

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  3. KatieSeptember 13, 2008 at 9:00 AM

    Love hollyhocks! What a pretty post. Happy Pink Saturday!

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  4. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2008 at 9:14 AM

    Oh I love hollyhocks, too, and YES I remember making little ladies out of them.
    Glad you enjoyed my denture decorating tips!
    Have a great Pink Sat. ! Dana

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  5. VirginiaSeptember 13, 2008 at 10:52 AM

    Happy Pink Saturday! Lovely flowers.Hollyhocks are such pretty flowers.
    Blessings, Virginia

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  6. One Shabby Old HouseSeptember 13, 2008 at 11:20 AM

    Thanks for stopping by and your post about the community garden was interesting. We have a a piece of land on our property that all we do is mow and I thought that it would be fun to offer it as a community garden. Just so I wouldn't have to mow it.
    We are off of Patterson Rd and near the Eagles. Where is your mother in law. You will have to come for a visit next time
    Becky

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  7. bjSeptember 13, 2008 at 11:32 AM

    Oh, G, hollyhocks are my very favorite of flowers. My mother had them as well as most ladies when I was growing up. I intend to plant some next spring. Thanks for reminding me!
    love, bj

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  8. Gabriela September 13, 2008 at 11:46 AM

    Happy Pink Saturday!

    Hollyhocks are among my most favorite flowers. Love your PINK post!

    ~ Gabriela ~

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  9. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2008 at 11:51 AM

    Oh, we are on the same mind set! Your hollyhocks are the perfect shade of pink and so many. Have a wonderful day.

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  10. Satsuki RebelSeptember 13, 2008 at 12:12 PM

    Wish we had a community garden. I don't even think there's one in my city. Nice pictures!

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  11. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2008 at 1:10 PM

    Happy Pink Saturday, Glennis.

    I love hollyhocks, too. Thank you for sharing such beautiful blooms. They brightened by day.

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  12. SmilingSallySeptember 13, 2008 at 1:37 PM

    Pretty hollyhocks. The Angel's Trumpets are poisonous, I think. Happy Pink Saturday!

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  13. September 13, 2008 at 1:41 PM

    I really like hollyhocks. Your photos of the community garden are beautiful and I can imagine that it is breathtaking in person. :o)

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  14. Donna @ Party WishesSeptember 13, 2008 at 1:42 PM

    I love the hollyhocks. My grandmother gave me seeds from her garden so I always think of her when I see them.

    I have propegated the Angel's Trumpet. The smell is just heavenly! Just cut off a branch and stick it in water until it roots. Super easy!

    Happy Pink Saturday!

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  15. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2008 at 2:34 PM

    What beautiful shots for Pink Saturday. Have a great rest of the weekend...

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  16. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2008 at 2:45 PM

    Thanks for sharing your community garden. It is lovely. I have seen angel trumpets in pink. So prtty

    Hugs...Jeanne

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  17. Bobbi Jo NicholsSeptember 13, 2008 at 2:45 PM

    The Hollyhocks are so pretty in all colors but especially pink today! Hugs, Bobbi Jo

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  18. Stephanie Suzanne DesignsSeptember 13, 2008 at 4:52 PM

    g..thanks for visiting me for pink Saturday..That's fantastic that you have that community that naturally has the rose essence concentrates, rose waters and other rose flavored goodies! I just love anything rosey. :0)

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  19. windycornerSeptember 13, 2008 at 6:01 PM

    Thanks for the garden tour....one of my favorite things to do, especially on a pretty Saturday.
    Holley

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  20. Anne FannieSeptember 13, 2008 at 6:24 PM

    Hello Glennis, I love Hollyhocks. I have visited Santa Monica several times. I also like their pier, its a great place to take my Grandkids for a great easy destination for a afternoon. Great Pink Hollyhock pictures for PINK Saturday!
    Love, Ann

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  21. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2008 at 6:35 PM

    oops...I sent my pink saturday comment to your previous post :-)

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  22. Mo..."Mo's Cottage"September 13, 2008 at 6:42 PM

    So pretty...I will have to try and grow them...it is really a pretty flower....
    Hugs,
    Mo :-)

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  23. MyaSeptember 13, 2008 at 6:48 PM

    I love hollyhocks my grandfather always grew them. You are so lucky living in santa monica what a beautiful community garden.
    -Mya

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  24. Susan HickamSeptember 13, 2008 at 8:26 PM

    I love Hollyhocks! They are such a delightful old fashioned flower! We had them at one house we lived at. Mabey next year i will get the seeds i bought this year planted.

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  25. Maryjane-The Beehive CottageSeptember 13, 2008 at 10:40 PM

    Hello Sweet G!

    Love your Pink Saturday post! We had Morning Glories when I was going up! Love those PINK Hollyhocks! I Santa Monica to!

    Hugs,
    Maryjane

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  26. NihalSeptember 14, 2008 at 2:46 AM

    Hi G,
    so nice to start my Sunday viewing your beautiful shots...
    Oh I love hollyhocks. The riotous color reaching to the sky! I love to see hollyhocks at old houses...
    Gardens are perfect for getting away from the crowded city. I enjoy the beautiful garden and fresh air while relaxing on the patio.
    Many many Pinkeey Thanks for the strolling w/ you, G. When will we have our next stroll;)

    Hope you're having the happiest of Happy Pink Weekend.

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  27. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2008 at 10:05 AM

    I love community gardens and holly hocks. My Mom grew hollyhocks too but I haven't had much success with them. I love all the old fashioned flowers. Happy belated Pink Saturday. ~ Lynn

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  28. Missy WertzSeptember 14, 2008 at 1:39 PM

    Beautiful flower post. Have a wonderful PINK Weekend!

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  29. KatCollectsSeptember 14, 2008 at 11:56 PM

    Beauitful flowers, thank you!
    Kathy

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  30. RamonaSeptember 15, 2008 at 2:49 PM

    Pretty pink Hollyhocks! HPS!

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  31. suesuebSeptember 15, 2008 at 10:22 PM

    oh my!! i love hollyhocks but i don't know if they grow here. such a fairytale flower! have a great pink week!

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