Pictures At A Garden Open

Heronswood research horticulturist, William “Bill” Rein, answers a question in the Happiness Garden.

A stream of visitors passes by the Heronswood sales area.

Signing up for the Heronswood catalogue at the welcome desk.

The great teacher, writer and noted hydrangea authority, Dr. Michael Dirr, autographs his book after a packed lecture at Burpee Hall.

Our elegant handmade sign stands at the main entrance.

During our Open Day events, we put out lawn signs along New Britain Road.

Horticulturists Dave Smicker and Bill Rein begin the morning tour.

View of the Happiness Garden with the sculpture "Syntax" by Steve Tobin. Made up of thousands of metal letters, numbers and symbols from an old abandoned print shop, it symbolizes the human mind.

Guests along the path to the new gardens by the ravine.

A handsome family buys a plant.

Two guests in the Springhouse Garden.

A morning group of visitors enters Fordhook Farm.

Buying plants.

A conversation by the great lawn.

The springhouse roof was destroyed by a beech during a hurricane season storm seven years ago.

Hydrangeas were popular this summer.

I test the direction of the wind while guiding a tour.

Guests gather around the Carolina Shade Garden, named for my mother.

Reading over the catalogue, wondering what to buy.

Signage.

More signage.

Guests at the stunning border in front of the main house which we call the Veranda Garden.

Bill Rein begins another tour.

It was a bright and sunny day.

Our giant sycamore provides excellent shade.

I say a prayer to the "Open Day Guest God".

"Steel Roots" by Steve Tobin dances its way across the upper lawn.

"Bamboo" by Steve Tobin consists of steel remnants from the Bethlehem plant.

Another view of “Bamboo”.

Guests enter the Happiness Garden.

Our hybrid man x deer creature, an untitled bronze sculpture by Steve Tobin in the Happiness Garden. It is a favorite with children.

A view of the old garage (1930s) adjacent to Burpee Hall.

The old Burpee family Main House.

The Carriage House. On the second floor is a half-finished library made of Fordhook Farm grown chestnut and walnut.

Burpee Hall, the stone barn where we hold our lectures.

Another view of Burpee Hall with glossy buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula ‘Asplenifolia’).

Entrance to the main house.

The seed barn which is being repainted this summer.

Another view of the main house with Burpee Hall in the background.

The Veranda Garden on the stone side of the main house.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 18th, 2009 at 7:30 pm and is filed under Original Posts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
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30 Responses to “Pictures At A Garden Open”

  1. julian forester said:

    Good Afternoon!!! Congratulations on brilliant gardening!!! Julian

  2. Deborah said:

    Thanks for sharing the pics for those of us who could not travel to the event!!! Hate I missed it.

  3. sandy hay said:

    thank you thank you for these photos. I have so wanted to visit during your open house but it seems to conflict. hopefully next year. 🙂

  4. George said:

    Couldn’t make it but really enjoyed the pictures. It’s on my list of things to do next year. Thanks

  5. F Mosso said:

    Very nice pictures, makes one nervous for the tour!

  6. Patricia Albright said:

    Your photos were wonderful! If only our home in Michigan wasn’t so far away! Thanks for the opportunity to view your spectacular gardens!

  7. Fran Passik said:

    Thank you so much for the pictures. Due to a very severe accident, I am unable to walk or travel, so I missed the fun. I do so enjoy your blog.

  8. Judith Turner said:

    Thanks for sharing these pictures. I hate that I couldn’t come up there for the tour.

  9. Joan said:

    I really enjoyed the pictures and would love to be there some spring. Thanks – Joan

  10. Peggy said:

    I love visiting your website with all the great stories, information and pictures…

  11. Jan Andrews said:

    Oh my goodness, I wish I lived close to your gardens! Love the Steel Roots sculpture.

  12. Becky Buckley said:

    Are you sure that’s Rhamnus? Looks like a smoketree to me, unless the picture is fuzzy – or it’s a Rhamnus smokier than those I’m familiar with….

  13. Barbara Tourtelotte said:

    Thanks for the stroll through the garden. It is beautiful. After spending both spring and summer in hot Florida it makes me homesick for all the flowers that just won’t grow down here.

  14. Judith McGlinn said:

    Wonderful. How nice it would be to be there. Back here in southeastern Michigan we actually have an annual event at a historic location, and if only I could find a place to park, I would be first in line. As an older/elderly person it becomes more difficult to traverse some of these wonderful opportunities. I have loved reading all about this particular event, just as an observer. Never stop reporting on them, even for those who may miss the actual event. Drat!

  15. susan vesecky said:

    the pictures are absolutly beautiful. i love to do gardening also.

  16. Sharon Rose said:

    Beautiful grounds……
    Wish I could attend…….

  17. patricia said:

    THANK YOU FOR THE PHOTO’S. I WAS NOT ABLE TO COME TO THE OPEN GARDEN, SO IT SURE WAS WONDERFUL TO RECIEVE THIS EMAIL.
    THANK YOU,
    PATRICIA.

  18. Paul Schumacher said:

    Enjoyed the pictures as I do your newsletters. In picture #19 there is a large grass shown on the left next to the two ladies talking. What is that grass? We have the same in our yard but can’t remember what it is called. It’s driving my wife and I crazy trying to remember. Keep the newsletters comming and thanks. Schu

  19. Melody Laughlin said:

    Thank you for posting the photos, it was like taking a mental vacation as I could not be there due to health problems. Looking forward to being there next time but till then I’ll enjoy the photos. Thanks again!

  20. sherry barton said:

    I live in Mississippi where it is hot and muggy almost all year. I love hydrangea’s and have planted about 10 this year. Sad to say the leaves are already turning black. I eas glad to see someone an expert in them. After looking at your BEAUTIFUL pictures I will be on my way to buy Dr. Michael Dirr’s book and see what he says about black spots. The garden and grounds it makes me want to go outside and pull weeds but as it has been about 100 degrees most of the ssummer I proubly will stay inside and look at garden book. September is one of our worst months for heat and muggy weather. Send more pictures they are so beautiful.

  21. Laurie Eberts-Carson said:

    Great Pictures! We have been interested in attending, but were not able to travel there this year (from Michigan). Hopefully, that will change in the future. Thank you for sharing pictures from this event.

  22. LaVerne Jaudes said:

    Wish I were your neighbor!

  23. Mary said:

    Thanks so much for the photos. Perhaps one day we’ll be able to attend.

  24. Charlotte said:

    Thank you for all the great pictures! I’m going to send these to some friends so they can get an idea of what I’ve been talking about and hopefully they will come sometime.

  25. JANICE said:

    Thank you for all the great photos.
    Live in Seattle so have been a great
    supporter and fan of Heronswood for years.

  26. We would like to visit your farm the labor day weekend. What are your hours?

  27. Mimi said:

    Your photos begins to help me “see” Ford Hook for the first time — buildings, signage, visitors, staff and plants. Of the gardens and individual plants, there were not enough photos; of signage and scattered people, too much. A good introduction, nonetheless: thank you!

  28. Hope said:

    Beautiful Pictures. Wish I could have been there.

  29. Carol said:

    Thank you for sharing the pictures; it felt like family. So inviting that I’m going to visit Fordhook this afternoon. Love the steel roots. They look so happy dancing across the lawn.

  30. Judy Welp said:

    The tour looked fantastic. I am envious of those people who live close.

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