Silent Saturday
26 Saturday Jul 2014
26 Saturday Jul 2014
17 Thursday Jul 2014
For those of you who know me, I am all about all things beautiful and I seek the beauty in all things. On a recent visit to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, I did not have to go far to find one of the most beautiful gardens I have ever visited…..Brookgreen Gardens.
Located in the Low Country of South Carolina, across the street from Atalaya, which is on the grounds of Huntington Beach State Park, Brookgreen Gardens should be on every gardeners bucket list or vision board. My journey to Brookgreen took me a mere thirty minutes from Myrtle Beach. I had hoped to also visit Atalaya on the same trip, but had no idea of what was in store for me at Brookgreen Gardens.
Archer M. and Anna Hyatt Huntington created this naturalistic oasis of beauty out of their love for each other and their love of nature.. Mr. Archer Huntington was a man who never really had to worry about money, a wealthy industrialist/philanthropist and a scholar. Mrs. Anna Huntington was a respected artist and sculptor. One of the most awesome things about this couple is that they did not have a formal college education. Both of these fine people were either privately tutored or self taught…..simply amazing. To see what they have created should inspire anyone to just DO what you are inspired to do.
The Huntington’s bought four rice plantations in what is now known as Murrells Inlet, Georgetown County, South Carolina, bordering the banks of the Waccamaw River. The thought process was to settle in an area that would help Anna’s Tuberculosis, a warmer winter climate during the winter months (they lived in New York and Connecticut), provide a place where she could work as an artist and exhibit her art as well. They built Atalaya, which they considered their Winter home. Across the road they developed Brookgreen Gardens. In doing so, they were responsible for opening America’s first public outdoor sculpture garden. Oh what a garden it is!!! You can find out more about the Huntington’s and their vision at www.brookgreen.org …however…I need to share a little about the gardens………those glorious gardens…..the gardens that pop up in my mind at random times throughout the day.
If you are an art lover, then imagine seeing a life size statue of Homer….
Diana of the Chase…………………
or
The Fountain of The Muses…………………….
all in one place,each surrounded by amazing floral combinations, water features and dragonfly’s. Oh the dragonflies were in such abundance. Each time I paused….this garden does make one pause often and repeatedly….a dragon fly would make it’s presence known. Resting on my shoulder, my shoes, my camera, as well as the art in the garden. This garden with all of it’s sculptures and vignettes was truly a garden filled with love and life.
I will not spoil it for you, as this is a garden that must be seen and appreciated individually, but a few things jumped out at me, causing me to anticipate my next visit. I love texture. I love to see textures mixed and in abundance. There are a few spaces where the textural tapestry of green just makes you gasp in amazement.
There were some vignettes that spoke to texture with minimal bright colors. The cool greens allowed your eye to rest, even though the sculptures within the garden, would catch your eye and allow one to mentally look at the vignette as a picture within a bigger picture. The dappled light of certain areas would make something so ordinary, like a little bloom, moss hanging from the branches above or hydrangeas embracing a borrowed view “POP” right before your eyes.
The sounds………………oh the sounds of nature – not cars, buses or emergency vehicles….just nature. The buzzing in my ear from the wings of the dragon flies, the sounds of baby birds, the many fountains/water features and on this particular day, the sound of rain. The rain steadily, but gently dancing on the leaves, in the ponds, on the sculptures and on the pathways was like an outdoor symphony, quietly in 3D. I almost got soaked, but I did not care, because I was mentally immersed in all that Brookgreen had to offer me at that moment. Entering this garden was like entering a dream on a hot summers day in the south, complete with mature alleys of Live Oaks that once led to the Big House (as the slaves would call it) which Mrs. Huntington used as a central point of the garden design, which on paper resembled the shape of a butterfly, with opened wings. I know…simply amazing. The Huntington’s were on a mission to surround themselves with all things beautiful, while appreciating and preserving nature, yet capturing and exhibiting the essence of Mrs. Huntington’s work. I get emotional when I think of the discussions they might have had as they walked among the naturalistic landscape at various times of the year to really create their version of beauty.
The garden rooms. Oh the different garden rooms with an abundance of horticultural delights. from the Climbing Lillies to the Cleome, from the Hosta’s to the Heuchera, from the Native Pines to the Crepe Myrtles….and of course, I always have a favorite. The Poetry Room…..
There is no way to enjoy all of Brookgreen Gardens in one day, Far too much is offered not just for the gardener, but for children ( the Low Country Zoo Discover Room and Enchanted Storybook Forest), butterfly enthusiasts, Cypress Aviary, Plantation History and Nature Tour, boat cruises, a beautiful collection of Long Needle Pines, a fantabulous gift shop and The Poetry Garden Room…. and there is so much more!!! For the cost of the ticket, a mere $14.00, one can visit and re-visit for 7 consecutive days. No wonder Brookgreen Gardens is considered a National Historic Landmark and one of the top 10 public gardens in the United States.. Now to wait til Christmas, when I hope to return and spend more time and perhaps visit Atalaya and Huntington beach as well….
I wish horses could fly….
27 Friday Jun 2014
The Garden Coalition is a coalition of like minded people who are like minded and interested in community beautification efforts, garden related travel and garden related programming in the District Heights, Capitol Heights and surrounding area. This area is under served as it pertains to beautification efforts, educating community members and garden club type activities. To participate and take ownership of certain areas of the Communities mentioned, it will bring to life and change the outside perception of how we feel about our surroundings.
What have we done so far this year?? Well, we gathered a few of our friends, family, a few strangers, a celebrity and the District Heights Community Garden participants and went to the Philadelphia Flower Show. A good time was had by at the show and on the bus. Our raffle winners won a trio of ceramic pots, an expandable rake and some pretty cool garden markers.
Our celebrity, Mr. Nikita Floyd aka Nature Boy, WOL 1450 Newstalk Radio kept the humor going as well as answered a few questions on the bus to captivate our attention. Mr. Floyd also shared his shopping adventure with us as our day ended.
I represented The Garden Coalition as the Capitol Heights Community Garden welcomed Spring. I spoke on Garden Basics and shared a few hints and tips with the gardening community. What a wonderful morning that was. To share my love of gardening and spark a conversation on how and why we garden was such a treat. The participants thoroughly enjoyed this demonstration and discussion.One man was very specific in what he wanted to grow, another guest was certainly a seasoned gardener and one guest was simply not into bugs as part of the garden. A wonderful mix of participants but they all left with a smile.
We hosted our first in a series of Garden Conversations. Our featured guests were:
Kathy Jentz, Washington Gardener Magazine and local Garden Guru. Ms. Jentz spoke on Deer and other Critters in the Garden. What awesome info she shared on this topic….lots of things we did not know. We certainly hope to have her back one day soon!
Mrs. Deborah Weller from the Department of Environmental Resources, Community Outreach Program. Mrs. Weller informed us of several programs that are offered through Prince Georges County from Tree Releaf to Permeable Pavers. I am observing as one of my neighbors is currently having this system installed as a driveway. How exciting!! We are continuing the conversation with Mrs. Weller to revisit with us and guide us as fall is tree planting season….and we do have some ideas!
Mr. Nikita Floyd (Nature Boy, WOL 1450 Talk Radio) spoke to us on lawn care and fertilization. We found his discussion informative and humorous as well. I look forward to him interacting with us in our community on some level.
Our latest accomplishment was the installation of plant material to show that we care about the appearance of OUR Municipal Center in District Heights. We wanted to bring life and color to the forefront by way of a xeric planting. This would not only bring the bees and butterfly’s, but educate community members on how using some native plant material along with basic shrubbery and annuals can be beautiful and welcoming!
We are just gearing up, growing and welcoming new friends and neighbors. We generally meet the second Monday of the month, 7:00 PM in the Computer Lab at the Municipal Center. Come on by and check us out. We would love to outgrow our meeting space, take ownership in certain beautification efforts and make the corridors leading to the City of District Heights City BEAUTIFUL!!
25 Wednesday Jun 2014
I love being able to make my dreams a reality. One of the drams I had was to just touch the hands of Mr. Pearl Fryar…so I made it happen. Who is Mr. Pearl Fryar and why would this be so important to me? Allow me to share.
While visiting my daughter in New York, she spoke of my love of gardening to an artist friend of hers. I was asked if I had seen the video about Mr. Pearl Fryar and his topiary garden. This caught my attention and I wrote it down to make certain that I followed up on this Mr. Fryar and his garden. I bought the video and my Dad and I watched it together. I was amazed, enchanted and knew at that point I was going to have to meet this Mr. Pearl Fryar.
I had the opportunity to go down to Bishopville, South Carolina and seize a few moments with this man whose hand I felt I had to touch. The hands of a creative gardener, like myself, who had mastered the art of topiary, like Mr. Harvey Ladew – only in my lifetime – with no prior experience. Mr. Fryar was an educated man, but a simple gardener who won Yard of the Month by the local garden club in 1985. Who knew that it would urge him on to create the masterpieces that are in his yard today. In 2006 the video “A Man Called Pearl” was produced and from there friends (organized forming Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden, Inc.), interested people and even the Garden Conservancy are pitching in and helping keep Mr. Fryar’s vision alive. As his schedule allows, Mr. Fryar greets visitors from all around this country and even some from around the world. Imagine all from a Garden of The Month Awardee!!!
I had to ask Mr. Fryar if he had words to share with me. He shared that at one time he was punished because he wanted to do interesting things with plants as a child. It was as if he was denied the opportunity to tap into his inner creative self. Fast forward to when he was in his forties….he built his house, planted shrubs and trees of all kinds and treated them in a way that even today perplexes horticulturalists. Mr.Fryar believes that if we teach kids from the bottom up, they will release a lot of creativity that is missed as we continue to teach from the top down. Training to learn from a book, we are then book taught with no real experience…just following the leader, so to speak. From the bottom up, we learn as a seed learns from a mere seed in the ground to a seedling to a plant. This message makes simple sense to me.
Here are some examples of Mr. Fryar’s hands on work….
One of Mr. Pearl Fryar’s proudest accomplishment’s is how he could create a topiary from a Live Oak. As he says, this has stymied the experts. He just might share how this can be done as he writes his book. I personally cannot wait to read it. Even after meeting and touching this true man of the earth, I am even more so amazed and impressed by his talent.
At this time, Mr. Pearl Fryar has a part time helper who he is training in the art of Topiary, five days a week, a few hours a day. While this is appreciated help, it will take a team of creative artisans to maintain the work that one man started over forty years ago. Age and time has a way of stealing some of the greatest talent and lesser known secrets on this earth. It would be a shame to not go see this Artisan, Gardener and Knowledgeable Man of the Earth…to touch his hand, hear words of his wisdom and allow the sense of peace to touch your heart and soul.
Take a moment to visit Mr. Pearl Fryar, watch the video or contribute:
http://www.pearlfryar.com
http://www.gardenconservancy.org
info@pearlfryar.com
Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden
PO Box 1111
Bishopville, SC 29010
Trust me, you will be glad you did…..I am!!
25 Wednesday Jun 2014
I am certain that many a gardener went to the Philadelphia Flower Show in March. The theme was Articulture. It was an awesome show and being there brought back memories of other gardens I have visited abroad as well as in other parts of the United States.
I laugh as I write this because I would never have imagined that I – plain and simple Teri – would ever have been able to say that I had traveled to see gardens that are on my wish list. This list continues to grow, but in the meantime there are closer gardens of note to visit….and some of them even have art. Ever heard of Annmarie Sculpture Garden located near beautiful Solomon’s, Maryland??? Thirty acres purchased as an investment by Mr. Francis Koenig, named after is wife, Annemarie is one of the local places of beauty in Calvert County. This is what I like to call one of those under known places of peace. With a 1/4 of a mile serene walk that allows one to see sculpture on loan from notable Institutions such as the Smithsonian and The National Gallery of Art, to name a few. One of my favorite areas in this garden is called The Women’s Walk. There are benches throughout The Women’s Walk that invite pausing and reflecting on what it means to be a woman or even women who have affected our lives….like our Mother’s. In addition to the art in the garden, Annemarie’s also offers classes such as dance, pottery, festivals, a gft shop and so much more. Annmarie’s Sculpture Garden and Arts Center is worth the visit especially this time of the year as Spring wakes up the earth. http://www.annemariegarden.org
In Monkton, Maryland there is also a wonderful garden called Ladew Topiary Garden. Every Spring there is a wonderful festival held there that celebrates the welcoming of a fresh new season. Mr.Harvey Ladew was a socialite and was known as an excellent huntsman. What I find most phenomenal is that he was a self taught gardener,,,,that speaks volumes to me. This garden has been named as one of the top 5 gardens in North America……….that high honor goes to a garden that was created from a mere visionary. Very accessible and certainly a day trip, this is a delightful place to visit. One of my favorite spots on the grounds of this 250 acre estate is the tea house. It overlooks a beautiful shade garden that has an exquisite water feature. If you are looking for somewhere to go whether it be simply for the topiary or the concerts at dusk or a children’s program, I highly recommend Ladew Topiary Gardens. http://www.ladewgardens.com
These are two examples that are simply delightful however I cannot forget my favorite spot within the DC limits – The United States Botanic Garden. The theme on the wall along Pennsylvania Avenue is Amber Waves of Grain. I know that they simply cannot be talking about my boyfriend, Nasella Teunissima but he does kind of light up the hell strip and waves at me religiously as I drive by in the morning.
05 Monday May 2014
Convallaria majalis, more commonly known as Lilly of the Valley, is one of those no fail, easy to grow perennials. Sold by the bag in the form of pips or in pots, this plant says sweet simplicity in its stature and scent. Found in the northern hemisphere of this continent (zones 2 – 7) this British plan is normally about 6 – 8 inches all. The roots form a fibrous mass of rhizomes that can, in the right setting, take over. Sun, sun/part shade to dappled shade, damp, rich, somewhat well draining soil, will quickly allow this plant to set up camp – even in less than perfect conditions. Imagine a hillside in fragrant bloom, under the dappled shade of mature trees…
Grown in a container by the door, Lilly of the Valley will provide a sweet fragrance that is easily carried by gentle breezes and are perfect cut flowers for bringing indoors or for sharing with a neighbor. Late spring bell shaped, scalloped edge blooms have been found to be rabbit and deer resistant. Sometimes these pants are prone to anthracnose, but if spotting occurs on the leave, cut them off immediately and discard (do not compost diseased foliage)Rosea is a blush pink blooming cultivar and a larger more stately cultivar is Fortinis Giant, growing 10 – 12 inches.
Old English folklore states that Saint Leonard battled a huge dragon and was sorely injured. After slaying the dragon, everywhere Saint Leonard’s blood fell, Lillie’s of the Valley sprang from the soil.To this day, Saint Leonard’s Forest in England is thickly carpeted with Lilly of the Valley.
Pot or Pip, white or pink, sort or tall… Lilly of the Valley…..You Can Grow That!
03 Saturday May 2014
19 Saturday Apr 2014
I am in the middle of cleaning a client yard and something made me pause. A bee was buzzing around hunting, searching for the right spot, the right moment to burrow into the ground. What captured my attention was the speed of its wings. The bees wings caused the soul and mulch remnants I was retrieving, to move in a circular fashion. Amazing……… sometimes when in the garden, take a moment to pause and pay homage to nature and all things beautiful…..especially the bees……
Look closely and you can see this bee’s success….
24 Monday Mar 2014
20 Thursday Feb 2014
If I keep reading my way through winter’s end, I will have a bucket list five miles long!!! That would only be for all the methods of gardening that I want to try this season….not all the things I NEED (in my world) to grow.I will never leave my yard at this rate….however, I seriously need to try a method of composting – high speed composting…I guess this could be compared to High Sped Internet.
The beautiful thing about Bokashi is that the scraps we throw in the trash or down the garbage disposal can be reused in the garden via recycling and reducing what we take to the land fill. This is a beautiful thing to me!!!
Something else to occupy my time…..not as fun vermicomposting…….but a lot less time to wait. Here are some resources suggested by Urban Farm Magazine, which has instructions for your own Bokashi stash for this growing season.
http://www.bokashirevolution.com
http://www.gardensfromgarbage.org
I simply cant wait to try some indoor Bokashi