Speaking of photo-obsessed, if you would like to see all of my photos from my visit, my complete set can be found here.
November 21, 2014
Another Visit to Federal Twist
After attending the Perennial Plant Conference back in October, I was able to enjoy some of what fall offered in the Delaware River Valley. One of the things I did was to visit James Golden's garden as part of The Garden Conservancy's Open Days Program. On my first visit to Federal Twist the white glare of a blazingly hot summer afternoon made photography nearly impossible. On this trip the light conditions were much friendlier, however, word has spread about this remarkable garden, and I often had to wait for people to walk out of my viewfinder to get a good shot. James' garden is one of the most unique private spaces I have ever seen. The architecture, carefully chosen pieces of art, a blend of native and exotic plants - all seem to arise naturally from the surrounding landscape. I could attempt to describe it further, but the gardener is much better at that then am I.
On the day of the tour, the look-at-me plant of the day was Viburnum plicatum sporting its red autumn blazer, and I heard more than one visitor inquire to its identification. The viburnum looks over the reflecting pool, which is one of the few bits of rectilinear formality in an otherwise naturalistic informal garden. The contrast elevates both.
I was surprised by how much I admired the dormant form and structure of Inula racemosa 'Sonnenspeer', which was all over James' garden, weeks past its prime.
I also admire my mother and brother for many reasons, but on this day for putting up with my photo-snapping, garden-obsessed self. BTW, don't you love these Wave Hill chairs? I think we may have to see some of these a little further south.
Speaking of photo-obsessed, if you would like to see all of my photos from my visit, my complete set can be found here.
Speaking of photo-obsessed, if you would like to see all of my photos from my visit, my complete set can be found here.
I would love to visit this garden. That V. plicatum has the best fall color I've seen on any Viburnum.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your visit with us!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous and unpretentious. Thank you so much for this beautiful shots of James's creation. I hope to visit it myself one day. xoPeggy Lutz
ReplyDeleteI don't know where to start. There are so many lovely, tasteful combinations of plants there. And the seed heads are as fascinating and graceful as anything else. Thanks for sharing some highlights from your visit.
ReplyDeleteHe has some fabulous fall color in that garden! I would have asked about that viburnum too. Although now that I think about it, I think I have the same species of viburnum and it doesn't change color at all. :/ I wonder how much of the difference is genetics and how much cultural/ climatic. The (smooth?) sumac is fantastic as well.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous picture of the viburnum, among others.
I can only imagine what this looks like during the spring and summer.
ReplyDeleteRay
Whatever came of your Peve minaret bald cypress? Do you have a local source? I cannot find any :(
ReplyDeleteFantastic! I could not get the link at the bottom to work.
ReplyDeleteNeither could I, Phillip, but I found it via Google. Try:
Deletehttps://www.flickr.com/photos/atidewatergardener/sets/72157648887122538/
An added pleasure seeing it through your photographs.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Les.