Water and Delight

University Village fountain

Our area suffered flooding from Tropical Storm Irene and the storm that followed a week after causing enormous damage as rivers and streams overflowed their banks. We have recovered on our road so today I prefer to think about the gentler water in our gardens that calms and soothes.  Here are some of the the quiet waters I saw in Seattle this summer at the Garden Bloggers Fling.

Michelle and Christopher Epping's Garden

Kate Farley's fountain and pool

Kathryn Galbraith's fountain

Bloedel Reserve Reflecting Pool

Only a big public garden can have a big water feature like this, but most of us can find a way to bring water, reflections – and quiet reflection into our own gardens.

Fox at the Gate

Entry of Japanese Garden, Bloedel Reserve

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Lorene Forkner’s Garden

Lorene Forkner, one of the organizers of the fabulous Seattle Fling, invited us to her own garden which is not large, but filled with enough plants and art of interest to keep me inspired for the next decade.

I cannot help it. It is the roses that catch my eye first.

This rose cluster was so heavy it would have been on the ground in my garden, but Lorene whipped up a support.

My question is – did she have this loopy metal thing hanging around, or did she have someone do the twisting intentionally?

Lorene was very offhand about having this gabion at the entry of her garden whipped up by a welder. I just learned this word ‘gabion’.

She used other gabions to provide the seating around a firepit. And a place for firewood. Many of her ideas will be available for us all to ponder when her book, Handmade Garden Projects comes out soon from Timber Press. Do you think if I gave this to my husband for Christmas he would take it in the proper spirit?

We bloggers swarmed through the garden, oooing and ahhhhing, taking photos, making notes, and sometimes just sitting and taking it all in.

Many Seattle area gardens had succulents in a pot, as did Lorene.

Nobody else had succulents AND a bowling ball.

I love sweet peas which must not have any trouble in the cool climate.

These edible peas certainly got everyone’s attention.  Did anyone get the name written down? Please let me know.

This little deck on  the hill drew a crowd. What a viewing post.

I have dozens of photos but what I felt in this garden was Love. Love of plants, of the garden, of her friends, of the community, and of all of us. She, and the other organizers, made this trip a perfect delight.

How I Spent My Vacation

Blodel Reserve in the rain. Perfect.

Spring and summer, planting and growing seasons, are busy times for the gardener especially when you add in Tour Season. For me Tour Season was especially exciting (and exhausting) this year because our garden was on the Franklin Land Trust Farm and Garden Tour, and then the following week I was attending the Hawley Artisan and Garden Tour, and the Greenfield Garden Club Tour, both on the same day – while many people were able to add on Colrain’s 250^th anniversary which included tours of 16 farms and gardens because theirs was a two day tour. All these farms and gardens were a celebration of our New England landscape

Now I am just back from four days of touring gardens in Seattle and environs. With a group of 73 other garden writers and bloggers I visited elegant hillside mansions with manicured lawns and gardens, suburban gardens that mixed healthy vegetables and fruits with roses and perennials, gardens designed to withstand drought, an Olmsted designed landscape, botanic gardens, and the famed Bloedel Reserve with its serene Japanese Garden, and the fantastic Moss Garden.

Moss Garden

I cannot tell you about every garden in this one column, but you will hear about many of the gardens over the next few months.

Bloedel Reserve

The Bloedel Reserve was the last garden we visited. We left the city and took the ferry across a misty Puget Sound to Bainbridge Island. We disembarked and drove across the island to this famed Reserve, arriving just as the skies opened. As I strolled along the paths of this beautiful green public space lined with gracefully drooping branches of the western red cedar (Thuja plicata), and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga Menziesii) the rain poured down. After days of brilliant sun, the soft sound of the cool rain and the shiny green sheen of Japanese maples and rhododendrons finally put me into the mythic Pacific Northwest landscape as I had imagined it.

It is the trees of the Reserve that I may remember best. We have beautiful trees in Massachusetts, but the scale is not the same. Many Washington trees rise a hundred feet or more into the air, while others like the Empress tree (Paulownia tomentosa) or the Katsura  (Cercidiphyllum japanonicum) spread broadly. All have a majestic grace.

Looking at the Reserve’s trees and plants gives one a chance to think about the history of the state of Washington. The native Douglas fir, is the dominant tree in the northwest environmental system, and because it is so easily logged and turned into timber it has been a vital part of the state’s economy as well.

Long before there were loggers the northwest coast Native Americans used the western red cedar in many ways, from carving their sacred totem poles, to the practical necessities of their life, including the building of dugout canoes, and weaving a waterproof cloth made from the fibrous bark.

Then came the Japanese. The Reserve has honored their participation in the state’s history by adding Hinoki cypress (Chamecyparis obtusa) in all its many sizes from tall to tiny dwarf.

Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) come in an equal number of sizes, and colors, especially when autumn arrives, painting the trees in shades of red, orange and yellow. There is also the fernleaf maple (Acer japonicum ‘Aconitfolium’) with its deeply cut leaves that is transformed in the fall by brilliant colors that are never the same from year to year, varying from red to yellow, depending on the weather.

Golden black locust in Japanese Garden

A century old Katsura tree stands near the entry of the Japanese garden, its branches touching the ground with the weight of the rain, while the golden black locust inside the entry, just beyond the raked stone garden, glowed as if the sun were flaming.

Of course the Reserve, like every public garden, has special delights for each season from the beauty of the rhododendrons and Japanese flowering cherries in the spring to the rich color of the Japanese maples in the fall, but it is the magic of green that was on display for me.

'Cloud pruned' pine

The Japanese Garden with its sculptural ‘cloud pruned’ pines, the dark pond waters edged with green moss, and ferns, the reflecting pool surrounded by green lawn and green hedges, mosses in shades of green glowing in the green shade of the Moss Garden, all create an atmosphere of serenity.

The joy of traveling is in experiencing a different climate (I really did love that rain) and different landscapes. There was enjoyment in pondering the mystery of seeing peonies and daylilies blooming at the same time, and delight in learning about new plants, strange or beautiful, even if I know I cannot grow them myself.

Seattle Farmers Market

Last Saturday our group attended a Seattle farmer’s market where the stalls were filled with vegetables, peas and cauliflowers, organic meats, smoked salmon, flowers, and tree ripe apricots and peaches, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. There were crates and crates of cherries. I bought a bag of big nearly black Atika cherries from a farmer who chastised our group of garden writers. “You want to write about our farms and crops? What are you doing here? This is Seattle. You have to go east to find farms. I grow 500 crops – in the east!”

I guess I will have to return to Washington someday. And go east.

Between the Rows  July   , 2011

Inspiration From Seattle – One

Shelagh Tucker with tomatoes and sweet peas

Compared to Heath, Seattle has a mild climate, and yet gardeners there share some of our problems. Generally, it does not get hot in Seattle. Gardeners go to great lengths pampering their tomatoes in an attempt to achieve juicy ripeness. Shelagh Tucker has a small greenhouse in her sloping back garden, but she also grows her tomatoes in a raised bed sort of hot house to provide the heat tomatoes require. Behind her, in another raised bed are beautifully trained flowering sweet peas.

Lavender

I was surprised to see so much lavender growing in Seattle gardens, great healthy clumps. Lavender does not need the heat that tomatoes do, and enjoy the wet mild winters.

Potted succulent

Because of all the seasonal rain I could see why containers with all manner of succulents are popular.

Santolina

I love santolina but have never been able to overwinter this pretty herb with its yellow button flowers. It is used widely in arid climates, but Shelagh has used gravel extensively in her garden to help retain heat, and provide sharp drainage for her plants.

Shelagh took a leaf from British gardener Beth Chatto’s book on gravel gardening to design a stunning garden featuring gravel and stone to capture heat, provide paths, and provide drainage for plants like thyme in front of her house.

Stone Mosaic

Stone and gravel become art in this beautiful mosaic.

Waterlily pool

While I am familiar with the many small in-ground pools that gardeners install for plants or fish, I was particularly fond on this raised pool which was so elegant.

'Heritage' rose

Of course, I always pay special attention to the roses in a garden.  David Austin’s ‘Heritage’ is one of my favorites even though I cannot keep one alive very long myself.

Shelagh Tucker’s garden was the first garden we visited on our tour and it set the tone for the unique and personal gardens that followed.

Home Again Jiggety Jig

Bloedel Reserve in the rain

I’ve said farewell to all the gardens of the Seattle area including the beautiful Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island.

And I’ve said farewell to Tacoma

Chihuly bridge

with its amazing Chihuly Bridge.

I’ve stored up memories of my visit with my dear friend Kathryn Galbraith, children’s author extraordinare and her lovely garden.

Kylee Baumie and Kathryn Galbraith

I’ve bid farewell to all the garden bloggers like Kylee of Our Little Acre and my dear friend Kathryn.

Seatac Airport

Now I’m at the  very busy Seatac airport where I got my very first pat-down. Note to all artificial hip travellers: Show your official card BEFORE you go through the security machines! A very nice and informative young woman did the honors. I hope that is the most exciting event of the day. Except for being back in the arms of my beloved.

Three Tours Today

Jerry and Trina Sternstien's veggie garden

A visitor on the Franklin Land Trust Farm and Garden Tour last weekend noted that one of the benefits of local garden tours is they allow us to see what lies hidden behind the beautiful flower beds, fields and forests: creativity, art, industry, history, and strong community. On the weekend of July 9, all of these elements will be in full view as the artisans, conservationists, and creative gardeners of Hawley, Colrain and Greenfield open their worlds to the public.

The Hawley Artisan’s and Garden Tour is scheduled for Saturday, July 9 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. I visited Jerry and Trina Sternstein’s garden, known for its hundreds of rhododendrons, and collections of peonies and lilacs that bloom in the spring, but Jerry is an enthusiastic and skillful cook so it is no surprise that he has a beautiful and productive vegetable garden with well organized blueberries and raspberries. He is able to grow hard to find vegetables like fava beans, or his favorite kinds of tomatoes like ‘Donna.’

Trina works with Jerry in the garden, but she also takes inspiration from the rural landscapes and ever-changing skies, capturing them in her finely worked paintings.

A unique tour site is the ‘Energy Garden’ tended by Lark and Beth Thwing. The green they are looking for is the green they can put in their wallets, and the green that benefits our planet. They have installed a solar hot water system, photovoltaics, a wood boiler, a passive solar porch and a heat recovery ventilation system. This is a chance for visitors to learn about some energy saving conservation measures.

Lunch ($12) will be served at The Grove, opposite the East Hawley Meeting House, where a display of Ashfield stone birdbaths and other items will be on display. For more information or to order tickets ($10) call Cyndie Stetson, 339-4231. Tickets will also be available the day of the tour at the Stetson house, 108 West Hawley Road.

Colrain is celebrating its 250^th anniversary with months of events including the whole weekend, Saturday and Sunday, July 9 and 10, filled with free tours of 16 family farms and gardens. A map and information about the various sites is online at www.colrainma.com.

It should be noted that some sites are only open at certain stated times. The Colrain Seed Farm which grows rare and heirloom seeds will be open only Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a Mushroom Walk will set off from the Colrain Central School on Sunday at 1 p.m. and end at 3:30 p.m.

Foxbrook Iris Farm on Call Road will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Deborah Wheeler and her son Andrew will show off the fields of iris. Right now the Japanese iris are blooming.

Keldaby Farm pergola

I stopped to visit Cynthia Herbert and Bob Ramirez at Keldaby Farm with its flock of angora goats. Bob is the farmer, and Cynthia the artist spinning, dying and weaving the angora wool into beautiful shawls, scarves. throws and other items. Visitors will be able to see her looms and her gorgeous creations. Their farm is open both days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. The two magnificent box elders in the garden are worth the trip.

Practically next door to Keldaby Farm is The Old Barrel Shop where Tony Palumbo and Mike Collins have created a series of beautiful gardens, at the same time that they have operated The Green Emporium. Their gardens will be open on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The West County Winery on North Catamount Road has been added to the tour, but it is not on the map. It will be open to visitors on Saturday, July 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Nine private gardens in Greenfield will be on the Greenfield Garden Club’s 19th self guided tour on Saturday, July 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Some of Greenfield’s finest gardens are included each year on the tour. This year’s tour includes a variety of annual and perennial gardens, vegetable and herb gardens and even a worm composting display.

I finally found out what lies beyond the elegant lions on High Street. Joyce and Steven Lanciani bought this property from the Lyon family six years ago. Since then they have taken down trees, put up fences, weeded a small woodland, and laid out a stone stream in a shade garden.

Because the gardens are at the top of a steep hill they are invisible to those passing by, but there is enormous variety in what is still an in-town lot. Joyce says now that she is retired she is teetering on the fine line between garden passion and obsession.

“There were good bones in the garden,” Joyce said, “but there was a lot of clearing out work to do.”

Arborvitae hedge

They have trimmed an arborvitae hedge in a curving manner to give it interest, and added a pergola by the slightly enlarged perennial borders. The power and beauty of simplicity is a lesson I have to learn again and again; it is made clear in the use of repetition of a row of hemlocks underplanted with hostas.

Tickets ($12) will be on sale the day of the tour from 9 a.m. to 1p.m. at the Trap Plain club garden on the corner of Silver and Federal Streets in Greenfield. All proceeds from the tour go to community service projects including grants for area schools.

Between the Rows   July 2, 2011

What’s Behind the Lion?

How many times have you driven on High Street in Greenfield and wondered what lies beyond this pair of lions? I will tell you – beautiful gardens. You can see the woodland garden up the hill, but you’ll have to go on the Greenfield Garden Club’s Garden Tour on Saturday, July 9 from 9 am to 4 pm to see the rest including sunny perennial borders and a unique solution to a ‘dead corner’. Eight other gardens are on the tour. Tickets will be sold at the Club’s garden at the corner of Silver and Federal Streets from 9 – 1 pm on July 9. Happy touring.

More Tours – Hawley

A Hawley View

The weekend of July 9 is going to be busy. A festival of garden and artisan tours will be on offer. The Hawley Artisan’s & Garden Tour, sponsored by the Sons and Daughters of Hawley is billed as “A Collage of Art and Gardens.” One of my favorite gardens is Jerry Sternstein’s vegetable garden that is much more lush than mine – and has a fabulous view.

Other Hawley gardens have perennial borders and blooming shrubs, but many will also offer quilt displays, stonework, and Marian Ives delightful metal ornaments. One garden grows Energy, with an array of solar hot water, photovoltaics, a wood boiler and more. Lunch will be served at The Grove ($12) right across from the historic East Hawley Meeting House.  And don’t forget the famous Hawley Bog with its many rare plants.

For more information or to order tickets ($10 suggested donation) call Cyndie Stetson, 339-4231.   Tickets will also be available the day of the tour, Saturday, July 9 from 10-4pm at the Stetson house, 108 West Hawley Road.

The Rose Viewing – FAQs

Rosa glauca

To me the Franklin Land Trust Farm and Garden Tour this weekend was really an extended Rose Viewing. Hundreds of people visited the garden, and many of visitors had the same questions. Some asked “What is that plant on the Rose Walk?”  Well, it’s a rose. I understand why some people were confused. The foliage is very unusual, and the tiny flowers don’t look much like Roses, but it is indeed an ancient rose. When I bought it 27 years ago it was called Rosa rubrifolia, but now it is listed as Rosa glauca in catalogs. It is the foliage and the graceful shape of the shrub that make it a stunning rose that always gets a lot of attention in the garden.

Prairie Harvest

“Where do you buy your roses?”  I have bought roses locally, but most of them have been purchased from mailorder nurseries. Passionate Nymphs Thigh came from Roses of Yesterday and Today which went out of business, but which one visitor said is now back. This year my roses came from Chamblee’s and from the Antique Rose Emporium. I have been very happy with these nurseries.

Ghislaine de Feligonde

“Do you have hybrid tea roses?” No, I do not.  Hybrid teas are too tender to thrive in Heath, or in Franklin County without a lot of babying.  ”Do you provide winter protection?” No, I do not. I have had many fatalities over the years, but the roses that survive do so under their own steam. They are old heritage varieties like albas, tough rugosa hybrids, and cold hardy disease resistant varieties created by Dr.Griffith Buck. The rose above, Ghislaine de Feligonde, is a hybrid multiflora and in some gardens it would be a climber. Climbers in my garden seem to be discouraged by the weather; while they may bloom prettily, they never are vigorous enough to produce those long canes that can climb.

A very frequent question was about Japanese beetles. I do not have them. I put down Milky Spore Disease 28 years ago when I gnashed my teeth over the wretched things. Traps did not work. The Milky Spore Disease has. I’ve added more Milky Spore as the Rose Walk has grown. It is a little expensive but the disease, which only affects grubs, stays in the soil for decades.

Many people wanted to know the name of this peony.  I could not tell them. I can tell them that there are a number of similar peonies offered by the Klehm Song Sparrow Nursery which has been the source of many of my peonies. Just scroll through the online list and you will find many peonies, that bloom early, mid and late season. I have  chosen several mid and late season varieties so they will be in bloom at the same time as the roses.

“Are those new rose shoots?” Alas, no.  This is the Rose Bank, planted where a wicked blackberry patch grew when we bought the house. When we had the foundation repaired about four years ago the whole area was bulldozed, scraped and left a muddy mess. I thought the blackberries were gone for good. They are back. You can see them coming up through multiple layers of cardboard and wood chips. They loved all the rain last week. Every day I would go out and clip them back and the next day they would return. I haven’t given up yet.

The Annual Rose Viewing gives me a chance every year to talk about hardy roses – and to learn about how other people manage. It is a great event for sharing.