thanks for the beautiful photos, mousetoes.

Thanks and you're welcome!

exquisite photos!!

What are the plants that look like cactus with milkweed seeds?

Those are balloonplants (Gomphocarpus physocarpus) which are related to the milkweeds.

Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous!!
Just wow! Thanks for bringing up a delightful memory - I visited Longwood Gardens in the early 60s with my great aunt. I remember being impressed with the grandeur of the place.

Glad to bring fond memories!

One of the DuPont's wasn't it? I was there several times earlier in life. It was a really nice place. As memorable as the FDR home and estate, The Met (NYC). Thanks for the nickel tour!!

Pierre S. du Pont, who died in 1954.

I especially like your use of leading lines. They direct my eye to the distant views. Quite remarkable that a 2-dimensional medium can seem like a 3-dimensional creation.

Wonderful!

The layout of the gardens is replete with leading lines. It's one of a multitude of reasons I love shooting there. Yes, sometimes there's a wondrous illusion of depth.

I just visited Longwood three weeks ago. Most of the flowers were gone, but the fall foliage was beginning which I enjoyed being from Florida. However, the Conservatory was breathtaking in its perfection. I was awed by the bonsai display. I always visit botanical gardens wherever I travel. I find it good for my soul. These photos are stunning.