The first stop for my bus that day was at David Culp's Brandywine Cottage. David surprised us by getting on the bus to talk about his garden, a smart move since, yes, it was pouring. I can't remember exactly what it was he said but I was smitten.
We all followed him down a narrow pathway and into his garden. We were walking thru interesting plantings but there was no stopping to take photos, this was a single-file march. We had a destination. Thankfully once we arrived in the garden proper we slowed a bit and fanned out.
Some folks broke off and went towards the house.
Others followed David walking down what felt like a gravel driveway.
That's our fearless leader, Philly Fling organizer Karl Gercens with the red and grey umbrella—note his footwear.
I went the same route, knowing my feet would dry much quicker in flip-flops than the shoes I'd brought with me. We left for Philly a few days before the Fling began and when I packed the forecast wasn't yet predicting such nasty weather, otherwise I would have brought boots!
I believe this photo was taken near where Karl was standing in the above image, looking out over the garden from that gravel (which later turns into lawn) drive.
There were agaves!
I called this a house earlier, but since David refers to it as a cottage so should I.
He and his partner Michael Alderfer have lived and gardened here for over 30 years.
I am so glad I didn't stay in bed that day, seeing David's garden and hearing him talk about the making of it and how important it is to bond with like-minded gardeners was a Fling highlight.
I do wish I hadn't let the horrid weather keep me from exploring more, not that I had any choice in parts of the garden. I mean there's no way I could have gotten to that agave without trampling on plants that were flopped over.
I had to rely on my camera for that.
There's David mid-stroll towards the cottage, he's the one in the dark jacket and baseball cap.
I was taken with the tall plant with the huge green leaves. It was vaguely tetrapanax-like, but it's a castor bean, Ricinus communis.
A fenced vegetable garden that I did not explore at all, unfortunately.
How hard was it raining? Look at the moat around the bed on the left.
Here David is gesturing out towards the garden, I wish I knew what he was saying.
A side entrance to the cottage, and a Fling friend who was making a "I'm miserable in this rain" face that I chose to hide.
This lounge and the table and chairs you'll see in the next photo were in a lovely secluded front courtyard sort of space.
I'm not sure what that building is used for, it's not the house/cottage but sits next to it. Perhaps a carriage house? After all, the home dates to the late 1700's.
David had a fire going inside his home and invited us to come in and get warm, how kind was that?
The old well (I didn't catch if it was still operable) serves as a place for potted plants.
I briefly dried off inside and under the porch overhang but worked up the nerve to go back out in the rain.
There were a lot of containers dotted across the landscape.
This area was thick with my fellow Flingers in the previous photo of it so here it is again, sans people.
I don't know what possessed me to walk around to the street-side of property (an area we didn't see as we arrived), a spot also accessible via a gate in the fence that I totally missed from the other side. However it was that I ended up here I'm glad I did...
It's a charming corner that David calls the ruin garden.
Because I feel like I only saw a small part of the magic of this garden, and because I'd like to hear more from David, I've signed up for the webinar "Holidays in (& out) of the Garden—with David Culp" for Garden Design Magazine (register here). You can also find more about David on his website, here.
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You summed it up well -- the challenges of touring the first garden of the day during Tropical Storm Ophelia. I was on the other bus and saw another garden first, and it took time to acclimate to juggling rain gear and camera. I'm glad to see your photos of David's garden, particularly the ruin garden, which I missed.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I'm sure our trampling thru the site made paths more slippery for you, I think I would have preferred to have been on your bus. There was definitely something to be said for acclimating to touring in the rain.
DeleteYes, the weather was miserable but wow, his garden was amazing. I missed the Ruin garden, funny how we all see such different things in a garden. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love comparing posts to see what stood out to different people!
DeleteAs much as I love cool weather and overcast sky, a tropical storm is another thing all together. To be honest, I'm not at all certain I'd left my hotel room, but I'm sure glad you did :-D
ReplyDeleteIt is great to visit a 30 year old garden with its creator, who has an intimate knowledge of its history, and every nook and cranny.
Speaking of knowledge: in photo 28 above the teal colored bench, there's a massive hovering fern. What is it?
Chavli
I believe that fern is a Phlebodium aureum, it wouldn't be hardy there however so it must have been in a container.
DeleteWhat a wonderful garden and I love seeing all the rain that makes the plants stand out and look so very green!
ReplyDeleteI kept commenting on how green everything was there, it was shocking to my "summer dry" eyes.
DeleteI love rain (it being a relative novelty in my climate) but I well remember the misery I felt when I was soaked to the skin at the beginning of the Austin Fling. Based on that experience, I expect I'd have been tempted to stay in bed too but I probably would have ferried out into the elements nonetheless. I'm glad you made that extra effort to see more of the garden before it was back to the bus - I love the ruins garden.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, that Austin drenching was memorable!
DeleteI was quite emotionally overcome myself hearing David Culp discussing gardening and gardeners. What a treasure. And his garden was superb in such a personal way. It's not the kind of garden I usually cleave to, but I loved it. Great pics, Lori, in spite of the deluge!
ReplyDeleteI regret that I don't remember much of what he said, but I do remember the emotion it produced!
DeleteToo bad about the weather as David's garden is really something special and something he is very passionate about. I have both of his books and have heard him speak a couple of times. Definitely worth the read and to participate in his December talk with Garden Design
ReplyDeleteAh, thanks for the encouragement to check out his books!
DeleteHave you ever heard of the "Seattle Sombrero" rain hat by Outdoor Research? Comes in 3 sizes in subtle black or two-tone colors, has an adjustable chin cord to keep it on your head in wind, nice brim all around, folds up without crushing in backpack or suitcase. Treated for weather. Very good for travel or hikes in winter here.
ReplyDeleteI had not, although my husband has a couple of things from OR. Thanks for the tip I'm gonna take a deep dive on their website.
DeleteLooks like Oregon right now. Wet, wet, wet.
ReplyDelete