A quiet and colorful early autumn......

Speechless about how nature quietly makes you take notice.....of the beauty that surrounds you....

Freedom Weekend of sorts......

 

 

My nephew, James graduated on May 18th from Colgate University in Hamilton, New York a few weekends ago - with honors.  My brother's only son has accomplished a task that has made all of us very proud of him.  He is now free, in a way, to chart his own course to success.  He will continue on to Wake forest where he will work on his Masters, another rite of passage towards freedom.  Each of Jame's family members - from his parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins - played a part in the cultivation of this young man.  Even his crazy aunt  (Me) with the funny "dress" high top tennis shoes.  I tried to plant the seed of individuality and just being himself.  After all, no one likes an impostor or the person who just goes along to get along.  Strong leaders are true to themselves.......

 

Which leads me to the second part of my Freedom Weekend.  I could not go to Upstate new York without attempting to make an effort to pay homage to a Shero of mine. As a little girl, I have always admired and respected strong women.  Women who rocked the boat ...but did not fall off.  Women who felt confidant in their freedom of choice always seemed to get my attention.  One of these women was short in stature, strong willed in spirit, defiant by nature and was true to herself in every way imaginable.  She settled for little that was not right, spoke of freedom and then just made it happen - boldly and confidently.  This woman was called the Moses of her people.  Her original name was Araminta Ross, but I know, admire and love her as Harriet Tubman. 

 

Fort Hill Cemetary Entrance

Schematic noting who is buried there and where

I knew that her burial took place at the Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn, New York.  She is buried in a place where many other people of note are buried as well.  How could I be so close and not pay homage to this wonderful, powerful and fearless woman.  I had to stop and ask a couple of neighborhhood people who were standing outside,  if I was at the right entrance to the Cemetery where Ms. Harriet Tubman-Davis slept.  They directed me to go in and bear to my left towards the West Lawn C and go down the curve and she was resting under a big tree.  My nerves were right under my skin, or so it felt as I cautiously ventured into the Fort Hill Cemetery and my eyes welled up with tears.  There were many large trees and I asked my grandsons and my godson to assist me in this search.

 

It was music to my ears when my eldest grandson, Tyree, clearly and calmly stated "Grandma - it is right here Harriet Tubman - Davis".  With caution I proceeded to the marker that  sat between two small boxwoods and at the base of a wonderful huge evergreen.....it was here that I wept.... I  had found my Shero. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Mrs. Harriet Tubman-Davis resting with memento's of previous visitors before me.  I brought nothing to share with her except my words of promise.  A commitment of sorts to continue my quest of freedom to share my love of gardening, educate others about the freedom of expression that gardening allows and to make every attempt to share my horticultural skills with others who are interested in gardening, by giving back to my community.  After all, she gave of herself to her people with total abandon..

 

Cultivating another persons gardening skills, can help with beautification efforts within the community or their own dwelling, can lead to potential employment opportunities and enhance a personal appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us daily.  After all, as a people, this is what we know. 

 

I sincerely appreciate Mrs. Tubman and everything that she accomplished in her lifetime. Talk about a woman on a mission........she knew she could be free, so she just kept walking.  Her only plan was to convince others that she could find freedom by following the North Star, size up the people she met along the way and be successful in her efforts  Simply by allowing the stars be her guide. Sort of like gardening, sometimes there is no plan only inspiration.  You find a plot, a plant and then you have the freedom to build and create an abundance of beauty that will surround you.............Freedom to wear my beaded dress tennis shoes whenever and wherever I want....what a mindset and what a weekend!!!

 

Have you found your freedom???

 

 

Sleepless in Spring

Every year we patiently await Spring.  I know, by February you are bound to be tired of hearing Spring this...Spring that......well not me.  Why because there are too many things to do in the Springtime and not enough hours to get everything done or to see everything offered.  However choosing the right thing to go to can be a challenge. Other than the PHS Flower Show in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, there are so many relatively local events to discover as well. Here are a few offerings I am interested  in attending.

The Horticultural Society of Maryland and The Perennial Plant Association are offering a day long seminar PERENNIALLY INSPIRED, featuring five experts on perennials, of course. I personally am excited abut seeing Sandy McDougle of Sandy's Plants in Mechanicsburg, VA.   I met Sandy years ago while working in Fredericksburg,Virginia and attending the Horticultural Conference in Virginia Beach, VA.  She gave a talk about perennials and invited the attendees of her speech to the nursery - Sandy's Rare and Unusual Plants.  I remember seeing how organized it was and she could remember exactly where each and every plant was and could tell me if she had enough  in stock for purchase.  I was and still am in awe of this plantswoman.   Other speakers for this event are Sandy Clinton of Clinton & Associates, Claudia West - Landscape Architect, Tom Mannion - Tom Mannion Landscape Design.  Also attending and imparting information will be Nancy and Pierre  Moitrier, Designs for Greener Gardens. The date and time for this event is Saturday, February 22, 2014 from 8:45 am - 4:00 pm  check out their website: www.mdhorticulture.org There is a fee for this event...but I feel it is worth it!!  I am really excited about this.....I will make time for this!!!

Almost every year, I try to make sure I can make it to the Ladew Topiary Gardens Spring Festival in Baltimore County.  After enjoying walking through these elegant gardens, imagining the Golden Age of garden parties, enjoying some specialty food items and exploring the gift shop - TRUST ME - you will not be able to escape some of Maryland's finest vendors of awesome plant material.  It is usually the first weekend in May, check their website in February when the details will be outlined.  In the meantime, there are other programs offered at Ladew Topiary Gardens from Nature Stories, Maple Magic to My Ladies Manor Steeplechase Races.  In the summertime, there is a Summer Concert Series which is a must go to event at least once.  You will be seriously impressed with the acoustics and the peacefully serene setting..You have got to see the tea house.  I will not spoil this treat for you, so check out their website: www.ladewgardens.com...I just might see you there!!!

Clyburn Arboretum also has an Annual Market Day.  It starts this year on Friday May 9th ($) and continues on Saturday, May 10th (free).  I went last year and met the nicest ladies who had recently dug tulip bulbs to share and sell from the gardens there.  Yes I obtained a few bagfuls and they invited me to dig with them this year.....I will certainly have to check the dates they will be digging.  They seemed like a fun bunch...as most passionate gardeners are! If you visit this awesome place, go to the peony garden.....breathless....I just could not catch my breath as the blooms were just outstanding!!!

 I won't even begin to explain the arboretum....but AWESOME....I TELL YOU AWESOME!!  Did I mention they have a plant sale as well??? The Baltimore City Master Gardeners, Baltimore City Recreation and Parks in addition to local groups and garden clubs all grow plants for sale at this event.    Clyburn won "Best of Baltimore Natural Art and deservedly so.....  Check out their website and visit as Spring approaches:  www.clyburn.org

Since I am very familiar with Virginia Garden Week, I wondered if  Maryland offered a similar experience.  I worked and lived in Virginia for so many years, I am most familiar with the garden events south of Maryland at Lewis Ginter and Maymont as well as Richmond and all points in between.  Now I am trying to familiarize myself with Maryland homes an gardens and all that they have to offer. Much to my surprise there is The Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage.  Formed in 1930, MHGP is dedicated to preserving and restoring architecturally significant properties in the State of Maryland. It is almost like Maryland Garden week.  Spanning from Saturday, April 26th to Saturday, May 31, 2014, different counties have different days to show off their beauty.  Anne Arundle, Queen Ann, Baltimore City (Guilford), Somerset & Worcester and Charles County are represented at this event.  Usually lunch is offered for a fee and I understand, it is scrumptious!!!.  Closer to the date, a detailed  listing of the homes, their age, their history and most importantly their gardens will be posted.  While most of these would make it an all day event, grab a garden buddy and support these historic homes and gardens.  Of course, check out their website for more details: http://mhgp.org

I love to go to the familiar garden events locally and also, go to events outside our region.  This allows me to to explore as many available possibilities of multiple horticultural fantasies.  It excites my mind and revives my spirit....and usually there is some pretty good shopping too!!!

Now I could get myself in a lot of trouble trying to list each and every garden tour festival, etc for every neighborhood in DC/MD/VA....but I trust that each of you read Washington Gardener Magazine.  WG Magazine and Kathy Jentz are THE  resources for all things pertaining to gardening in the DMV/Mid - Atlantic region.. If you are  not a subscriber, I must ask......WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??? I bet you also missed the seed exchange!!! Explore her website:  www.washingtongardener.com
From garden trips, book club, lectures, events to seed exchanges - Kathy provides as much as possible for the Mid-Atlantic passionate gardener.

Off to dream about gardens, gardener and all things beautiful......

Art...........Garden............Spring.......................

Funny how we see something that strikes our fancy that might highlight a particular feature in the landscape, but we just can't figure out what it is?  Is it the height of a particular shrub, the color or texture of a leaf or simply the plant combination?  Sometimes there might be a "something" that draws you to this particular area of the garden.  For me, this something is art.

I remember several years ago I attended a garden club event in Staunton, Virginia.  I loved going to these events.  What made these trips memorable, was the iconic artwork that was nestled at the base of the bridge at US 250 & US 11.  Standing 18 ft x 20 ft was the biggest watering can and pots under planted by the garden club, of course, with the appropriate plant material to complement it's existence in this little town..  There is also a very large book at the local library...you could not miss this if you tried. This garden art is the work of Willy Ferguson a welder and sculptor.  I remember thinking how awesome it would be if every town had some bodacious art that would make people smile.  It is still there making a visit to Staunton worth it  for a look see, a bit of antiquing, lunch at Mill Street Grill and a pause by the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Mansion (there are some very old tree peony's there). It still brings a smile to my face when I intentionally get lost in the Virginia countryside and end up near Staunton.

While visiting the Denver Botanic Garden and even the Bahamas few years ago, there were also some areas in the gardens I visited, accented by wonderful pieces of art - perfect for the plantings that complemented them in their grandeur. From trellises to stonework to merely colorful exclamation points throughout, art in the garden proved once again to be an enticement and not a distraction.

Flash forward to Paris......(of course :)

On my first trip to Paris, since nothing was in bloom, the art in the garden stood out as if it were the garden. The grass, fallen leaves and autumnal glow of the grasses seemed to make these statues stand out - as if they needed my coat.  As I strolled and smiled, I realized that these same pieces would simply melt into the landscape when the seasonal flowers began their garden party for the tourists.

Even bright colorful art that enticed young children to pause, interact and enjoy could be found in the Jardin des Tuileries where people were out, even in November to enjoy the gardens in their winter nakedness.  It was certainly a wonderful sight that gave me reason to pause and wonder, if there were more opportunities for people to enjoy the garden out of season, as in season, wouldn't the world be a wonderful place???  Art would certainly fill this void....

I have to admit, this one had me cracking up while sitting on the bench observing it from every angle, trying to figure out what in the world was this artists vision.......although I am not an art critic..  It just pops in the midst of a gray Paris day.

Even the infamous Eiffel Tower is considered art.  The vision of this at one time temporary piece of art, has been captured and duplicated so many times, most people are very familiar with it all over the world.  Yes art in the garden has its virtues.

Recently while in New Orleans, I visited the New Orleans Botanical Gardens and lo and behold, more art in the garden. All very beautiful, quite stunning and capturing the interest of those who walked past....or paused....I am enamored with the thought of art in the garden.  Once again, I was not alone in these gardens, families with children were enjoying the art in the gardens, as they should......any time of the year.

Which is why it is so important for us to support the Philadelphia Flower Show and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.  In it's 185th year, this show is THE Flower Show of the season.This years theme is Articulture.  Every year for the past twenty years, I have visited this event.  The memories of what I saw, learned and purchased stay with me as I anticipate the next year.  I am often impressed with the working of PHS City Harvest.  This group utilizes the neighborhood urban gardeners to serve the under served and under resourced within the community.  20,000 pounds of produce feeds about 1,000 families per week during the growing season in a calendar year.  This program is so impressive and can be a great way to embrace and revitalize communities all throughout America. Utilizing inmates and teaching them a skill to not only feed themselves but to help feed the community, would be a powerful tool in this economy. Giving back to our communities is something that each if us can and should do, no matter what our life path is. (In one of my past horticultural adventures, when I was lacking personnel, I had to utilize inmates from low security detention centers and I was quite impressed.)    Please visit their website: www.phsonline.org

I will be going to The Philadelphia Flower Show a few times this season - because I can and I am addicted to flowers in the best kind of way.  I also enjoy the memories of the adventure itself.  Not only do I learn something new, I always meet a new gardening friend that is just as in awe of the day as I am. There is no better way to officially start the gardening season in earnest than catalogs in December/January, indoor seedlings in February and The Philadelphia Flower Show in March........then I hold my breath for Garden Week In Maryland and Virginia...ah Spring, I humbly and patiently await your embrace..............  Will I see you there???

Horticultural Heaven in New York......................

Well I am finally exhaling after a wonderful day trip to New York to visit and revisit a few spots in my horticultural bucket list.  I am a true believer of visiting gardens in their winter nakedness.  Amazing how structure, plant selection and peacefulness can make a garden seem so magical during the winter months.  I had the New York Botanical Garden, The Highline and a re-visit to my old friend Wave Hill on my list of places to go before the end of 2013.  Well, I just made it and I am glad that I did. 

 

(This is actually the reflecting pool....but the perfect place for a Christmas Tree!)

When I arrived at The New York Botanical Gardens, I saw so many folks carrying their children and pushing strollers as one of the more popular holiday events was taking place.  Inside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory was the awesome Holiday Train Show featuring trains that flowed past  replicas of NY landmarks that have been created from plant parts.  Yes - plant parts.  You can even get a look at how this was done if you visit the Artist's Studio onsite.  The smells...oh the smells of the season as well as the smells from the New Holiday Dining Pavillion, appropriately called "Streets of New York.

The Dining Pavillion is in a tent behind the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory where you can wander down tree lined paths to get to the interesting and creative menu stations.  Amongst the Victorian and historical  street scenes, the opportunities for families, groups and couples alike, to pause and grab a bite, take a photo or just take in the feel of Christmas are endless.  From fried chicken (representing Harlem) to homemade cookies and pies (representing Greene Street Sweets) there were options to please most - Arthur Avenue and Chelsea Market were also fantabulously represented.  However....it was not the food that I came for......it was the garden.

Yes......was cold....but with my I do not ski - ski jacket, it was not too cold to deter this avid gardener.  Once I calmed down (like a child on Christmas morning, I was extremely excited to visit this garden of note) I spotted the gift shop...that is always the first thing I do....after all, one must have a momento of the journey. Perennial Garden Way called my name, so that is where I started the journey.  There were placards with poetry referencing nature as well as historical fact boards, that made you think as you walked past not only perennials in their winter state of dormancy, but large evergreens that stood guard over the plants at their feet.  I am an admirer of the natural garden, where plants can reach out to touch you, as if to greet you into their sphere. 

Wandering past the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, I had to pause.  I absolutely love a traditional herb garden with elements that speak to the symmetry of the space.  From seating at the corners to the walkways to the boxwoods that caressed the wrought iron gate, the Luce Herb Garden was simply beautiful.  

I will not spoil it for you BUT....I will share one more area of interest that I just had to visit.  Resisting visiting the native plant area was not in the cards.  I love native plants for their beauty, simplicity and ease of care.   So one might understand how I was captivated by the Red Osier Dogwood 'Cardinal' and 'Artic Fire'..........I just could not get enough of it throughout the different gardens rooms - not only in the Native Plant garden......

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are so many more exciting moments that I experienced while visiting The New York Botanical Garden, but it is one of those places that you must experience for yourself to really enjoy.  When I look at the garden map, I realize that I only covered a small portion of this 250 acre gift to those who enjoy beauty.  It is open year round, Tuesday through Sunday and on Federal Holidays that fall  on a Monday. There is a Tram, most areas are wheelchair accessible and a cell phone tour for those who like to wander and enjoy at their own pace.  Make time to see this garden of note and experience all things beautiful. I shall return as there is so much more to explore, at a different time of the year........ok...maybe this winter again.......250 acres...........oo lala!

 

 

 

 

 

Winter at the Wave.............Wave Hill that is......................

I could not bear the thought of NOT re-visiting Wave Hill again after seeing it in 2012 with the Cultural Landscape Institute during the late summer months.  After all, who could not resist seeing this

 

or this.......

 

 

I simply love the borrowed view of The Palisades, where Theodore Roosevelt, his friends and family had the opportunity to sit and be surrounded by such privacy, raw nature and create personal beauty along the banks of the Hudson River.  I wish I could personally thank the Perkins and Freeman families for donating such a place of beauty to be shared by all, to the City of New York.  When you visit Wave Hill, the memory of this place will linger in your mind.  Which is why I had to go back and see it in it's winter nakedness................

 

Wave Hill has been a public garden for almost 50 years and a lot has been experienced on it's grounds from concerts, to artist and gardener workshops as well as art exhibits and educational programs.  With donations from private donors as well as the admission (a mere $8.00), this estate and gardens continue to bring people from near and far to experience the beauty that surrounds us.  Even in the winter, the grounds provide awesome ideas for winter color in the garden, structure in the garden,  as well as unexpected seasonal scents that amaze you.  Observing the different garden rooms and borrowed view, the intimacy of Wave Hill truly makes this gardener appreciate the space. 

 

The first thing that you see upon entering Wave Hill is the Pergola.  Looking through the Pergola provides a window to a view of the Palisades and The Hudson River that will leave you speechless....yet wanting more.     

 

 

From the landscaping around the Gift Shop (I ALWAYS find the gift shop for that little momento of the visit), to the Kerlin Overlook to the Shade border/Woodland walk...every step of the way there is something special to notice.  The last time I visited, I did not venture down the Woodland Walk, so I missed the little gazebo gently nestled in the woods, as well as the awesome composting area.  While the Woodland Walk meanders down hill and then up through the trees, the intoxicating earthy smell guides you as if summoning you to partake in the view of the Hudson amongst the trees. 

 

 

 

 

When I last visited Wave Hill, the Wave Hill House was still under renovation and it was re-opened in July of 2013, to huge crowds and much fanfare. It is absolutely stunning inside.   Knowing that I was walking in the same building that Charles Darwin, where Bashford Dean displayed his vast collection of Arms and Armor and where conductor Arturo Toscanini spent three years, I would  like to think, simply enjoying the view.  Wave Hill House has a state of the art conference center,  a café and new space for programming of all types as well as accessibility for the handicapped.  The program calendar for 2014 is available and I must say, they are diverse in their offerings.  With program offerings such as Mapping Freedom ( in honor of the Underground Railroad) and Papermaking Suites (using cotton and abaca to make personal sheets of paper) to Nature's Music where Wave Hill has a celebrated artist assist visitors in creating collages and accordion pocket sized books ,while appreciating the presence of Toscanini music....who could NOT want to visit Wave Hill.

 

Open all year round, Tuesday and Saturday mornings are free, courtesy of Target.  There is a free shuttle from the Metro North's Riverside Station on the #1 New York Subway line.  There is limited parking at Wave ill for $8.00.  The free shuttle leaves the subway at 45 minutes past the hour and departs from Wave Hill at 20 after the hour to take you back to midtown Manhattan. There are group tours available, however just wandering on the grounds offer an experience like none other. Not convinced.....here are a few memories that pop into my mind when I dream about Wave Hill..

 

  

So....will I see you there, during Winter when you can dream of the seasons to come.....?

Giving Thanks for the Journey....and the gardens along the way.....

I am so Thankful and in this season of giving Thanks, I just wanted to share a bit of my journey.  I love to garden, I love plants, I love exploring well known and not so much known gardens anywhere, anytime and all of the time.  When I started to reflect upon my journey of the past few years, I realized that I should be quite Thankful for the experiences that I have had.  I realized that I have made a serious effort about my exploration of all things beautiful.

I have wandered to gardens from Washington, DC, New York, Denver, South Carolina, Georgia and of course Paris, France.  I have enjoyed formal gardens, creative gardens, magnificent gardens, historic gardens and simple gardens as well.  I am however still hungry for more garden adventures.  I was looking for a specific picture to use in an article, when I started going through photos from my journey.  I realized that I am love with the borrowed view, paths that lead to ...well who knows where and I love to immerse myself in the beauty that surrounds us anytime and anywhere. 

I am Thankful that I have had the opportunity to be able to see these gardens and all things beautiful with my own eyes.  There is nothing like a personal memory to carry with you and there is also nothing like creating more memories to savor as the years go by.

Thankful that I am here's to the journey and the ability to share a few photos as I find all things beautiful....just happens they are mostly in or near gardens...........


United States Botanical Gardens, Washington, DC

 

 

 

Of Course Paris, France..

 

 

 

Woodville, Virginia

 

 

Borrowed View of the Palisades from Wave Hill...

 

 

Wave Hill, New York....

 

 

Nemours Mansion, Pennsylvania

 

 

Denver, Colorado

 

 

Centennial Park, Atlanta Georgia

 

 

 

and this is just the beginning.......................

 

I will continue to first be Thankful for the journey and for the opportunity to share all things beautiful........