“My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece” – Claude Monet, 1840-1926
One of the world’s most famous painters had a horticultural side which inspired many of his paintings. Monet pursued gardening as passionately as he pursued painting – planting, weeding and watering the densely packed flowers himself. In 1890, he was able to purchase the home and gardens outright, at which time he employed six gardeners to assist him in creating one of the most beautiful floral landscapes in the world. The garden consists of two parts – the Clos Normand flower garden near the house and the Oriental water garden which is just across the street. The main garden is set out on a grid with herbaceous plants such as roses, delphiniums, nasturtiums, foxgloves and vegetables allowed to grow and flower in super-abundance. Now, the 5 acre garden is maintained by 8 gardeners throughout the year.
In Giverny, France, artists and gardeners alike can enjoy Monet’s house, three studios and gardens from April through to October. Off-limits is his greenhouse, however, which he built himself and cultivated orchids, exotic ferns and grew his seedlings.
Another garden on my ‘must visit’ list.
Monet’s pink house and the colorful area of parallel flower beds he designed.
In October, the tall flowers of late season mix their pinks, blues, yellows, oranges and reds and their different textures and shapes, creating a living painting that moves in the breeze. Sages, dahlias, asters, cosmos, roses, black eyed Susan, tithonias are all enchanting in September and October.
The famous Japanese Bridge that Monet painted so often. There are 272 canvases by Monet featuring his water garden.
Claude Monet in his garden.
Gardening in the Lines 
Love his gardens I’ve not seen them in person but have many books dedicated to them and his philosophy!
wow looks beautiful!
I’ve been to his gardens. During the memorable visit I was awed by the notion that I was strolling on the same ground he did. I was staring at the garden that he created and painted. I was traveling in my present and his past. That experience is as clear today as it was then, Sally
What an experience that must have been, Sally. It’s a dream of mine to visit his gardens.
Always looks a wonderful garden – so colourful. It is on our must visit list.