What's in a name? Well, the 'Annie Girl' Garden Chrysanthemum would smell as sweet and be as beautiful at any name, but the name certainly clinched it for me! Annie has always been my family nickname. These beauties in the Sensory Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden have to be my favorite fall flower this year. Soft pink with that sassy burst of gold and they smell heavenly. Believe me, I know. I sat on the bed ledge photographing them for over an hour yesterday. As you will see in the last photograph I experimented with a fun technique of covering my lens with tulle to give a very soft focus effect. 'Annie Girl' Garden Chrysanthemum 'Annie Girl' Garden Chrysanthemum 'Annie Girl' Garden Chrysanthemum Don't miss the mum displays all over the Garden. They are really spectacular this year. Have you seen the display in the Crescent Garden? They go from deep red to gold in color and I love the addition of the Japanese maples along the path to the lake. Our colors are just starting to pop and the air is crisp and cool. Happy fall!

Crescent Garden in Fall