This was the last garden I visited during the Philly Garden Fling in 2023, but I wanted to save Paxson Hill Farm for my last post (on Friday) so today we're visiting
The Gardens at Mill Fleurs. The contrast between Paxson Hill and Mill Fleurs could not have been greater. At Paxson Hill we got off the bus and there was nobody to great us, to tell us where to go and what to expect. At Mill Fleurs we were greeted and toured, no stepping out of line here! Someone in our group dared to go down a path the wrong way and they were quickly corrected.
After getting off the bus and scurrying across a busy street this the first thing I saw. Not bad! No dawdling however, we needed to march on to the starting point.
This extra-wide pathway is also a driveway.
Complete with a charging station for their car. I know this only because while we were touring with Barbara her husband Robert "Tiff" returned and we all waved.
The rock wall is rather impressive.
The gardens are on a steep, rocky, site right along Tohickon Creek (which was raging in the background during our visit). The buildings on the site include a 1790's Lumber Mill and a 1742 Grist Mill that now are the Tiffany's home.
There is also an ice house...
Which we met at (the upper floor, visible in the above photo) for cookies and cider, it was the trade off point where our two groups switched tour guides. Karl Gercens (our Fling organizer) covered the lower garden while Barbara led us through the upper garden.
Did I mention it was raining?
That's Karl in the flipflops.
And Barbara with the purple umbrella.
I have no doubt I would have loved this entire garden on a better day (Barbara is a foliage gardener who loves variegation and plants with an eye to massing and color), but on this grey day the colors in the garden area around the house really stood out.
Barbara was undaunted by the weather and worked her away around the garden pointing things out and telling stories.
Aristolochia gigantea in a pot.
The flowers...
The pleated rhododendron foliage showed well in the rain.
And we're back at the top of the garden with the greenhouse...
... and the agaves!
There's a small nursery space with plants for sale, and it looks like they might also teach classes?
Or maybe the chairs are just meant to encourage you to gather 'round the pond?
This
Disporopsis pernyi looked like a winner (that's
Heather in the back ground) but I wasn't about to try and get it on the bus and back home successfully under these adverse conditions.
Time to get back on the bus, but not before I spied this cool lower level greenhouse.
What's up with that!?
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The massive rock wall is fantastic. Was every day rainy -and what time of year was it? I love all the dark foliage. The bunker greenhouse is cool, even if a little creepy!
ReplyDeleteIt was the second half of September and the first two days (Thur and Fri) were lovely, then came Tropical Storm Ophelia and everything changed.
DeleteIt's an interesting garden but I'm sure the structured tour was frustrating for you. I'm surprised you got as many photos as you did without gobs of people in them. The lower level greenhouse is innovative, although even looking down into into via your photo made me a little dizzy.
ReplyDeleteWe were split into two groups (the other half was at Paxson Hill) and then further split into two groups here, so that helped with the crowd control.
DeleteI know what it's like to visit a garden in the rain. It's tough to stay positive and enjoy yourself when chilled and wet... still, you managed great photos of those old buildings, I adore them. The rock wall is impressive; I'd be unable to resist tucking more plant in its nooks and crannies.
ReplyDeleteIf only I could see a bit more of what was behind the Fabulous sliding barn door...
Chavli
Right?! That door slightly ajar had me very very curious.
DeleteThat rock wall and those stone buildings are dreamy. My version of heaven all nestled into a wooded setting. I know that greenhouse would drive me nuts though. It looks like I would have to duck to go in and I would quickly become crabby going up and down the stairs with plants. I bet it helps moderate temperatures during winter and summer - less heating and cooling to pay for by using the natural insulation of the earth.
ReplyDelete