A couple of times a year our neighbors down the street open their gardens to the public to benefit our local nature center Baltimore Woods. I have been attending with Junebug (my mom) on Mother’s day since The Bean was tiny enough to fit into a Baby Bjorn. This is the first time that I have visited the gardens in the Fall.
George and Karen Hanford have created a local treasure in our community. While the gardens are covered in tulips during the Mother’s day tour, the conifers, hydrangeas, ornamental grasses and hostas were the stars at this time of the year. Unfortunately the deciduous trees have not turned yet. That will be breathtaking I’m sure.
So join me for some beauty and inspiration. You won’t be disappointed!
There were many hydrangeas (Pee Gee and Tardiva) blooming and the butterflies were abundant.
Isn’t she beautiful? I love the weeping Norway Spruce next to her repeating her downcast posture.
Don’t we all need some wild boars in the garden?
The bridge to the Koi Pond.
Love this pathway through the pond. It is always a huge hit with the kids on Mother’s Day.
Junebug and I thought these guys looks like a gathering of hooded monks.
The stone from this castle in progress came from the old Jamesville Penitentiary .
The entrance to the Aborvitae Maze.
One of the many beautiful bronzes that grace the property.
Aren’t these Morning Light grass hedges great? They remind me of two giant fuzzy catepillars!
The children’s garden.
Oak alley – a series of English Oaks.
One of the things that I love about this garden is the use of conifers. Although there is nothing blooming in this photograph, the contrasting colors, textures and sizes of the plant material with the natural stone creates a varied, pleasing serene landscape.
One of my favorite sculptures.
Me and the lady who started it all… my love of gardening, that is. Junebug. It began when I was a little girl planting petunias next to her in the red soil of Mississippi. Most of the perennials in my garden now began as off shoots from her beautiful garden in Pittsford, NY. Whenever we get together for a visit, we take our strolls around each others garden discussing what has changed and of course what needs to be done because it is never finished. From her I inherited the terrible sickness that I refer to as Gottahavethatplant-itis. It’s when you would rather have a new plant than a new pair of shoes! Gasp! It’s true. Where is the doctor? : )
On with the tour…
There are many gongs and bells hanging throughout the gardens.
For more information on Sycamore Hill Gardens please visit their website http://www.sycamorehillgardens.com
While staying at Ballyduff Manor in Thomastown Co. Kilkenny in Ireland last summer Farmboy and I found the most wonderful secret. A gorgeous private garden out beyond the old stable and barn.
