Little Lives - Lived Under Glass

Wardian Cases

Any one else squeal with delight over stuff like this? Just me?

I di-in't think so.

My heart races when I look at little greenhouses. Terrariums. Wardian Cases. A jar turned upside-down over a tiny plant.

Immediately wanting. Needing. Must have-ing.

Wardian Cases were first developed by Dr. Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward in 1829 - to protect his fern collection from London's air pollution. They subsequently became very popular in transporting tender plants from places as far as Australia and China - back to England. Then, the English Victorians put their touch on them for their drawing rooms. All fancy-schmancy and ornate and what-not.

As the days become shorter and shorter, I look to hints of gardens that can be cultivated indoors to get me through the dark, cold times. November through February.

I found a (somewhat) affordable one here. Uh-huh. Yeah. That's right. Feel the lust.

Field Trip: Old Westbury Gardens

Old Westbury Gardens
Old Westbury, New York

As a spirited and overly-imaginative child visiting Old Westbury Gardens, as we did every Mother's Day, I was captivated by The House. The Ghost Walk. The pet cemetery. The children's play cottage. The land and secret gardens. Captivated in a way that stuck with me as I visited other gardens around the world. And found that nothing compared to Old Westbury and the hold it had on my heart.

As a grown-up infatuated with gardens, during last week's visit, my attention turned more to the horticultural feats that Old Westbury achieved and maintains. Noting (among many others distractions) that in the middle of September, the Walled Garden was still packed with color and blossoms. Asters, zinnias, cleomes, salvia, roses. Gasp, gasp, gasp!

But at the end of the day, I could not go without a peek into the cottage and a tromp down the most curious spot of all - the Ghost Walk.

If you live within two hours of Old Westbury - GO. Pack a picnic. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to look, sit, take it all in. Benches are located all around the grounds - and this is no accident. After all, there are 88 acres of formal gardens. Certainly nothing to sniff at . . .

For the serious-minded gardeners, there is the Walled Garden, the Boxwood Garden, the Grey Garden, the Rose and Lilac Garden and a myriad of display gardens. A lake walk. A grotto-type structure that overlooks a pool - complete with seashell mosaics. And, for the absolute plant-nerd in all of us, carefully placed placards for each and every plant and tree.

Or simply find your inner child and discover the Ghost Walk for yourself. Maybe, just maybe, if you go on Mother's Day, you'll see the specter of a mischievous little girl in long braids. Out of breath and laughing while terrorizing and spooking her younger brothers amid the hemlocks and the shade. Enchanted and engulfed by the magic of these wonderful gardens.

Pond in the Walled Garden

The Walled Garden

Climbing rose in the Rose Garden

Salvia and dahlias in the Walled Garden

Fountain in the Walled Garden

Asters in the Walled Garden

Cleome and trellis in the Walled Garden

The Estate at Old Westbury Gardens

Gate ironwork

The children's play cottage

Primrose Path

The Ghost Walk!

The Boxwood Gardens

(Garden Inspired) Spoils from the Trip

Heirloom tomatoes from Orient Point, Long Island.
From top (clockwise) - Brandywine, Green Zebra and a mystery variety. Hmmm. Thoughts?

Lemon verbena and Linden soaps from Provence (by way of high-falutin' LI garden centers).

Preserves and mustard from Miss Amy.
A New York farmers' market find that has become a staple in my mom's cupboards. My starter kit should suit me just fine for autumn recipes.
From the top - Spicy Cranberry Jalapeño Spread, Blue Point Mustard and Hot and Mean Jalapeño Peach.

Home . . . and Back Home, Again

The Pink Towers - Long Beach, Long Island. September 2007.

For years and years, I thought vacations always had to be new adventures, new places, new paths.

This year, I stock-piled my vacation days for September and went up to my childhood home and spent a nice chunk of time with my family.

This vacation was about familiar, beloved garden spots. The ocean and all its tastes and smells that were the background sensory experiences of my childhood. Italian dinners and German bakeries and Long Island farmers' markets. Lots of garden walks and egg creams with my mom. Laughing with my dad. Bidding my youngest brother, Brian, goodbye as he headed out to Chicago for a new adventure of his own.

I am sated and rested. And my mind is filled with images of my family and all of those seminal places. Images that I carry with me everyday. Images and memories that influence how I daydream about gardening, creating my own spaces in our home and on our land and what matters in my day-to-day life.

I'm happy to take a long break from big adventures and over-the-top vacations. Especially when I can find all I need in a trip back to where it all started. In revisiting what I love.

And in a satisfying plate of Eggplant Parmesan.

A Blank Slate - The Sugar Hollow Homestead

The big machines and work boots are through with their tromping and their bravado. The piles of seedling-smashing construction materials have disappeared - as each piece was gradually incorporated into the building of our home. And the drone of the mitre saws, compressors and sawzalls have fallen silent.

Now, it's my turn. A blank slate. A chance to take a crack at a small garden in this much-abused (and ignored) space. And an opportunity to inject a little femininity and estrogen into the landscape.

Favorite front-yard garden spaces have always been those with designs based in shrubs and small trees - to compliment the larger, more established trees and a smattering of perennials and bulbs.

My wish list is comprised of mostly native plants - trees, shrubs and woody vines that will offer color and interest throughout all of the seasons. And a few old-fashioned favorites because, well, gardens (for me) are also about nostalgia. Click on each highlighted plant for photos and details.

Shrubs and Trees
Fringe Tree (incredible fragrance in the spring)

Sweet Pepperbush (incredible fragrance in the summer)

Witchhazel (winter interest)

Sweetbay Magnolia

Piedmont Azalea (a much more delicate version of the typical azaleas)

Pinxterbloom Azalea (honeysuckle fragrance and an azalea in one!)
Hydrangeas
Lilacs

Roses (but not the fussy varieties)
Quince
Glossy Abelia

Peonies

Vines

Trumpet Honeysuckle

Passionflower
Carolina Jessamine

If we get three of these plants in the ground this fall, I'll be thrilled. Okay, two. One?! Meh. I know better - it may not happen until next spring. Or the following fall.

But I'll always have the delicious anticipation associated with blank slates. New beginnings. And big plans.

Call It A Comeback

The Black-Eyed Susan Vine. Long figured for dead as August rolled around. A single tear rolled down my cheek as I helplessly watched it become a crunchy mass.

Then, cooler weather and a ton of rain. I can't be quite sure, but I think it actually reseeded itself. Rising like a phoenix from the flames.

I started the Black-Eyed Susan Vine from seed in the spring (very easy and it produced extremely sturdy, substantial seedlings). This vine also does well in part-shade. It is part of my container garden, growing in an old bushel basket and winding up a rustic trellis.

A little bit of sunshine on a cloudy day. I can't take my eyes off of the blooms and the twining leaves. I think it picked up on my smitten-ness. And is giving me its best show.

When Life Gives You Cucumbers - Make . . . Pickles!

Another volunteer-plant discovery in my raised beds! Pickling-sized cucumbers.

Turns out, I only like cucumbers when they are soaked in brine, sweet and heavily spiced. I have never made pickles before - so I tested out a recipe I had for Refrigerator Super Sweet Pickles. No waiting for weeks. No boiling water. No canning skills necessary. It's all good, as my friend Suz would say.

I added a little salt, extra dill and some garlic powder.

Pickling always seemed to be something that I would never be able to do. This type of recipe made me feel capable and thrifty. Like a true provider. Who may be the one to someday stock our shelves for a long winter. Taking care of me and mine.

*Note* If you are container gardening - you can easily grow pickling-sized cucumbers. Just make sure to have a trellis or railing they can crawl up. Something to think about for next season.

Succulents - "They Keep Pulling Me Back In"

Ack. I've done it again. I breezily visited the gardening section at a local home improvement store while Corey was looking at house construction materials. And came across these. One of my Achilles' Heels of the garden world. Succulents. Including a living stone (!) - top right.

suc-cu-lent (suk'yoo lent) - adj. Bot. - having thick, fleshy tissues for storing water.

I have my cactus potting soil. I have a perfect indirect light spot in our kitchen. And I will vow to only water them when they are bone dry (remember the storing water bit). I will also offer up my prayers for the lives of these succulents. I mean well. I truly do.

More Bulbs - Blue Stars . . .

White Flower Farm is another great place for stunning bulbs and bulb collections. These Blue Stars are favorite of mine - they are especially sweet sprinkled under trees or at the edge of a lawn or woodland. These can also be planted in the fall for spring blooms.

Wanna See the Mayhem? The Madness?

After poking my head out of our air conditioned cave, I finally took a long gander at the vegetable garden. Eeeek. Double-click on the photos for close-ups of the chaos.

I salivate at the thought of cooler weather - to get the garden back to its earlier, somewhat tidy state. Two beds are in dire need of compost and general resuscitating. The tomato patch will need fencing.

I love seeing everyone's garden victories - but also find great comfort in seeing the mayhem. The messy. The overgrown. Group therapy of sorts. If you have the gumption - post links to pictures of what got away from you in the garden. We'll all feel better. I promise.

I did have one pleasant surprise. Among the brambles - a healthy melon volunteer plant of sorts! And all I had to do was ignore this bed for a month. Hmmmm. That is what has me hooked. With all the variables and experiments in the garden - the unexpected. Oh, yes. And without lifting a finger.

Some Spring Gardens Start in the Fall

With bulbs!

The Rembrandt Tulip Mix. A favorite of mine from last season.

Alliums. Just coming up on my radar. A blue variety, of course, makes the grade.

And . . . grape hyacinths. They seamlessly cut through a grey March day.

It's a little early to plant these bulbs. I have waited as late as November. But it is never too early to envision, drool and plan. I order my bulbs from Johnny's Selected Seeds - these varieties (and photos) are from their catalog.

Long Weekend Bliss - Part Two

From the top: Cuttings from the renewed container garden - forget-me-nots, globe amaranth and brachycsome; homemade linzer tarts with local strawberry-rhubarb preserves; bejeweled-like zinnias from the garden; and . . . a behind-the-scenes to the linzer tart photo. Note the pup on the right licking her chops. Shameless.

Long Weekend Bliss

Books - Five Sisters: The Langhornes of Virginia and Miss Read

Knitting like a fiend

Naps

Making plans for fall plantings

House of Elliott on DVD

Short hikes in Sugar Hollow

Dreaming up my wish list for trip to NY (food, garden visits, long walks, more naps)

Quality time with the doggies . . .
Baking Barefoot Contessa linzer tarts with local preserves
Sweet September weather
Savoring the container garden as it finds its second wind . . .
Iced lemon balm tea
Hummingbird sightings