I can now confidently say Old Germantown Gardens is amazing anytime of the year.
The visit during which I took these photos happened on March 3rd. The garden's owners/creators, Bruce and Jerry, hosted a reception for John Anderson, "The Queen's Gardener" after his talk for the HPSO earlier that day.
Those of you who attended the Portland Garden Bloggers Fling toured this garden in July. The last visit I last wrote about was in May (here). It was amazing to see the difference in early March, for example the pond is so open.
The Petasites just starting to emerge.
Only a hint at what they will become.
Looking back at the house.
Walking on you discover multiple stalks from last year's Cardiocrinum giganteum.
The opened seed pods are sculpture.
There are a million happy Hellebores spread throughout the garden.
Rhododendron coeloneuron
On the left a tall Daphniphyllum.
Close-up
And looking up at the tall foliage.
A downed stump turning into a nurse log.
Helleborus foetidus
If I'd remembered I would have asked if I could take a couple of these pulled out Cardiocrinum stalks home with me. Hopefully they aren't just going in the compost pile.
Hmm, this reminds me, I have not seen my orange Crocus emerging yet.
Hebe ochracea
Love the colored up Bergenia.
And finally my favorite part of this garden...
The tall evergreen is wrapped with filament to keep it from splaying out with snow load.
Don't ask me how they got all the way to the top.
Yuccas and Agaves, oh my!
And Opuntia too.
Dasylirion wheeleri
Podocarpus matudae, along with several friends.
Finally, back up at house level, the greenhouse.
Check out those super tall Echium!
Here's Bruce (closest to the door) and the guest of honor, John Anderson peeking at the goodies in the greenhouse.
So many plants!
Weather Diary, March 10: Hi 52, Low 26/ Precip 0
All material © 2009-2019 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
I can't wait to see this garden (as well as yours Loree!)
ReplyDeleteI'm not very good about having formal events, but you're welcome to come by any time Phillip.
DeleteTalk about good bones! You really get a sense of the garden when you can see it at this season. To say nothing of how much color and foliage there is to look at. We are getting warmer but still under deep snow.
ReplyDeleteWe were so lucky to have a sunny afternoon to tour this garden. There was still snow in the shady spots on the drive over.
DeleteI remember how delightful this garden was in July but it's equally stunning in March. Great design and plant choices. Speaking of plants, that greenhouse looks pretty packed. How do they get in there to water?
ReplyDeleteThat's a good question. I imagine there's a little plant shuffle that occurs.
DeleteI had to re-visit the older, summer post first. Summer abundance makes the comparison with the winter scene even more dramatic. But I do love the winter garden for its majestic serenity and calm. The large urn with the chartreuse grass "skirt" is in both posts, but seems to play a greater roll during winter.
ReplyDeleteSomething was sheering my orange crocuses; none of the other colors were touched...
Glad you checked out the older post too! And that's interesting about your crocus. No blooms have even emerged on mine, just foliage.
DeleteI appreciated the winter tour, as well as another opportunity to enjoy its beauty in May. I hope the garden's been placed in a trust so it can be enjoyed indefinitely into the future.
ReplyDeleteInteresting idea, I wonder how often that happens with private gardens.
DeleteI'll always remember the newts in the pond as one of the highlights. I assume those hibernate in some fashion? Love that they can't actually go into the greenhouse, just peek through the open door at the crammed in plants. :)
ReplyDeleteI saw no newts, although I can't say they were hibernating. Maybe just feeling bashful.
DeleteHoping for an under 90 degrees visit to this garden some day. It sure is a winner.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if it will be on study weekend? I know there's a day with garden visits out that direction.
DeleteI too have seen this garden in summer. It's great in winter too! Thanks, Loree
ReplyDeleteGlad you've gotten to see it both ways!
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