KA-BOOM! My garden exploded last weekend, when a heatwave roared through the Hudson Valley. Suddenly the crabapples are cloaked in shimmering snow, the tulips are holding pale purple cups, the Dicentra is bleeding pink and white hearts, and...well, why not join me for a refreshing drink and a mid-May stroll?
The drink in question is a gorgeous green smoothie...
Enriched with a healthful splash of lemon vodka.
Or not.
Swoosh! We are standing in the Boxwood Garden. The shrubs, which I grew mostly from cuttings (here's the how-to) will be sheared and shaped by a professional next week. Meantime, the fountains are flowing, and the pair of weeping 'Red Jade' crabapple trees are dressed for a white wedding. Cue Billy Idol.
Did you know that we received these trees as a wedding gift in 2008? I kid you not, they came with a card that said: "I thought I should give you crabs for your special day."
Are you sure you wouldn't like a little vodka in your smoothie?
Walking west, we arrive at the Serpentine Garden. Here, on the first terrace, and dangling over a field-stone wall, are a pair of quinces. Would you like to meet these flowering shrubs?
Here's 'Cameo,' a thorn-less quince with fully-double blooms of apricot-orange.
Cameo's thorny mate, 'Crimson and Gold,' produces red, single flowers, and lots of fruit. (Cameo produces fruit, too, but not in great abundance.)
If we climb the steps of the Serpentine, we discover a riot of spring color on the second terrace. Sprouting from a sea of periwinkle-blue Vinca minor is Malus 'Sargent,' a dwarf crabapple, with pale-purple Tulipa 'Alibi' at its feet.
Vinca minor is a fast-growing, weed-suppressing groundcover. I grew my patch entirely from cuttings.
Here's a closeup of 'Alibi.' It's a tall, early tulip.
Speaking of tulips...on the Serpentine's third terrace is a clump of species tulips. These are the tiny ancestors of the tall, familiar "Dutch" types. The white-edged yellow variety is called 'Dasystemon Tarda.' It has a sweet scent. Species tulips can be easily forced for winter bloom indoors.
Between the Serpentine's second and third terraces, and in the shade of a Yoshino cherry tree, is a curved cement bench. Shall we sit for a moment?
Here's what we see when we look up. Yoshino's flowers are almond-scented.
If we look to the right, we'll notice the Phlox subulata is beginning to bloom...
While on the left, we'll see just how steep the Serpentine Garden is.
If you have a hellish hill on your property, you might like to do as I did, and make a garden there.
As we exit the Serpentine, we bump into the hemlock-framed swimming pool. We opened this "cement pond" last weekend.
And guess what?
The water is extremely cold.
Yes, I could buy a solar cover for the pool. But in Kevin-land, style always trumps practicality. A solar cover would eliminate the fun of seeing trees and classical statuary reflected in the pool.
And besides...
I'm a polar bear!
Just north of the swimming pool, and marked by a rose-covered arbor, is the Woodland Garden. Shall we take a quick peek? (If you'd a more detailed look at the Woodland, be sure to read this post.)
Say "hello" to the Virginia bluebells...
The dazzling pink Bleeding Hearts...
A large assortment of ferns and hostas...
The frog pond that I cleaned out just in time for your arrival...
And the PJM rhododendrons, which are happily perched at the edge of the garden, above a Hudson River tributary.
Well. I hope you enjoyed this short walk in the garden. I certainly enjoyed your company!
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Feeling hungry after the above tour? Chew on these:
Kale Pesto - My Way
A Better Foccacia
Rigatoni alla Salsiccia e Panna
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