While I loved the color and fun of the urban gardens of Buffalo as part of Buffa10, the garden that moved me the most was out in the country, the garden of Hosta experts Mike and Kathy Shadrack. (My review of Mike's book, written with Diana Grenfeld, is here.) According to Mike, the property is nicknamed "Fallingwater East" because of the stream that flows under the house.
view of the stream from the Shadracks' deck
While the other bloggers indulged in tea and crumpets,
or toured Kathy's sunny garden
or Mike's Hosta dell, I found myself exploring the woods on my own. I started off in the area where Mike grows some of his larger Hostas interspersed with ferns and wildflowers.
a Maianthemum (Smilacina) of some sort (Kathy of Cold Climate Gardening has identified it as Maianthemum canadese)
the falls
When I asked what was off in the woods to the other side, Mike responded, "Just some ferns and logs." Hah! Hardly - more like a sea of ferns,
nestled among the roots of majestic beeches.
I had never been in beech woods; the woods of Northern Illinois are mostly oak and hickory savannas. It was awe inspiring to be surrounded by unsullied, smooth beech trunks as far as I could see, pristine, without buckthorn or garlic mustard.
I was transported to the timeless and eternal. In a transcendent moment, a shaft of sun highlighted the leaves.
My eyes welled up, and I was glad I was the only one who wandered in the woods.
But, I wasn't alone. I turned and saw someone coming down the path toward me: it was Christopher, from Outside Clyde, who clearly loves nature and wildflowers as much as I do. He wasn't moved to tears because he lives surrounded by this kind of beauty in the mountains of North Carolina and is used to it.
In addition to Hostas, there was the Jack-in-the pulpit relative Green Dragon,or toured Kathy's sunny garden
or Mike's Hosta dell, I found myself exploring the woods on my own. I started off in the area where Mike grows some of his larger Hostas interspersed with ferns and wildflowers.
a Maianthemum (Smilacina) of some sort (Kathy of Cold Climate Gardening has identified it as Maianthemum canadese)
the falls
When I asked what was off in the woods to the other side, Mike responded, "Just some ferns and logs." Hah! Hardly - more like a sea of ferns,
nestled among the roots of majestic beeches.
I had never been in beech woods; the woods of Northern Illinois are mostly oak and hickory savannas. It was awe inspiring to be surrounded by unsullied, smooth beech trunks as far as I could see, pristine, without buckthorn or garlic mustard.
I was transported to the timeless and eternal. In a transcendent moment, a shaft of sun highlighted the leaves.
My eyes welled up, and I was glad I was the only one who wandered in the woods.
But, I wasn't alone. I turned and saw someone coming down the path toward me: it was Christopher, from Outside Clyde, who clearly loves nature and wildflowers as much as I do. He wasn't moved to tears because he lives surrounded by this kind of beauty in the mountains of North Carolina and is used to it.
Before I embarrassed myself, I left the woods and rejoined the other bloggers in the shady Zen garden.
Arisaema dracontium,
and mosses.
On the hillside was the now familiar combination of a large Hosta and large Alliums.
Even with the Alliums in seedhead, this still works. There were other beautiful plants in the sun,
but I was drawn back to the shade.
and to wild plants.
Spigelia marilandica (Indian pink)
an Asian Arisaema
Mike and Kathy were wonderful hosts, and Elizabeth and Jim outdid themselves in getting us this private tour for Buffa10. It's a special place I'll never forget.
22 comments:
What a wonderful post! You make me more regretful than ever, not to have been able to go.
My dear, what a beautiful post and your photos are simply splendid. I love how you captured the sun as it spot lit the trees and Mikes beautiful hostas. All the elements of their garden added up to a fantastic garden experience. Thank you for your perfect tour. gail
MMGD, that was just beautiful. Thanks for sharing. H.
I knew you were enjoying the forest. I did not know you were having a moment. Of course I wandered into the woods. I know they are filled with magic.
Oh and you found another head in the Shadrack's garden.
MMD, This post definitely represents your Gardener's Heart. You are most definitely a wilderness/wildflower lover. :-)
This seems to be everyones favorite garden so far. It just tells me that everyone loves nature. That is why we gardeners work so hard to bring nature into our lives. Beautiful photos and narrative. So glad you could enjoy it so.
Dear MMcGD, Wonderful!! I should, like you, have gone without the tea and cakes willingly given the opportunity to explore such a magnificent woodland garden which, clearly, is packed with interesting flora and fauna. Beech woods are, indeed, very special. Here in the UK The Chilterns, in Buckinghamshire, are famous for the beech - beautiful at all times of the year.
Interestingly in the past I often was at Diana Grenfell's nursery, 'Apple Court', in Hampshire where she very successfully hybridised many new cultivars of Hemerocallis and Hosta.
You are a true woodland creature, MMD! You must see Christopher's mountainside, bring lots of tissues! The Shadrack garden was my favorite as well, but we couldn't pass up the cream tea. Wasn't the sun shining through the trees amazing? Like he planned it that way. Maybe he did. :-)
Frances
Just beautiful, MMD. A walk in the woods always cleanses the spirit.
What a lovely post! I LOVE beech woods -- I grew up running through them, and there is nothing more beautiful, any season of the year.
This is a great tour of the Shadrack landscape! Thank you. I realize how much I stayed close to the beaten path. You've given me another lesson.
I think you found your own Zen garden, MMD. What a beautiful place, and you've captured its peaceful beauty so well. I can see why you took "the road less travelled."
The road less taken is always the way to go, even if there ARE tea and crumpets to be had. Northern IL, like MI, used to be primarily beech-maple forests, but it was mostly cut down to turn into farmland (maple roots are easier to deal with than oak roots!). There are very few b-m communities left, but they are indeed glorious--maples are weedier than beeches so it is indeed a treat to see beeches. They're one of my favorite trees. Glad you found them!
Nancy- this property is not for those with mobility issues. I'm part mountain goat.
Christopher - Frances found that head and insisted I photograph it with the spider.
Shady - it goes back to the childhood archetype, I grew up in a wild place.
Lisa- some gardeners prefer their nature neat and tidy,
and then there are those like us who love the wild chaos.
Edith- I'd love to see her nursery. I didn't realize that both authors were Brits.
Frances- from reading Christopher's blog, I'm sure his garden would move me even more.
Layanee- I can find God more easily when surrounded by his creation, rather than human handiwork.
Greensparrow- lucky you! I ran thru burr oaks.
Commonweeder- sometimes it pays off, sometimes it's a bust.
Rose- it's hard for me to resist the lure of the path into the trees. I just followed my impulse, which is sometimes a good thing.
Monica- I did not know that. I had thought it was oaks because they were the trees that could withstand the prairie fires.
Rose- you know me, not one to follow the crowd.
Hey Barbara,
I just wanted you to know I added your blog to the soon to be launched North Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association blog roll for NC Blogs!
http://www.tarheelgardening.com/wordpress/
I also wanted to make sure you received my new link for Gardening With Confidence's blog
www.gardeningwithconfidence.com/blog.
Thanks!
I hope you are doing well!
H.
I'm so glad you highlighted your woodland trip. I didn't make it to the woods, being a little tuckered by that time. What a lovely journey. I spied that Indian pink and took a pic of it as well. I've been wanting to try them.
I love the way you write--truly a gift and you study before you visit such places which makes it even more meaningful. I enjoyed your tour and wish i could of been there--for it would have moved me too.
Would have loved to go on that tour.. only an ocean apart :)
What a fabulous property! And how cool to see a green dragon!
Jean - I've been thinking about Indian Pink for a long time. I just don't know where I could put it where it would be happy.
Anna - thanks! But I knew nothing about where we were going that afternoon. It was only once we were on our way that I knew he was the a co-author of my favorite Hosta book.
Garden Much - a couple of bloggers from Tennessee went to Malvern, so we'd be happy to have you come to the next one.
ROR - Green dragon would look good in your garden. Mine too.
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