All—
My newest Armchair Traveler article has just been published:
GRAND GARDENS OF THE BERKSHIRE HILLS:
FLETCHER STEELE’S NAUMKEAG, & EDITH WHARTON’S THE MOUNT
Here’s the link:
Tag Archives: Gardens of the World
Garden of the Month: September 2013
The home at 340 Morton is currently owned by Betsy Wessler and the garden is at its peak in late summer. Kaaren Anderson talked with Betsy last spring to gather a little history on the home and the lovely garden that surrounds it.
The home was originally built in 1948 and was formerly owned by Dick and Evelyn Strellman. Betsy purchased the home in 2007 with a move-in date of 2008. Soon after, the house, as well as the entire yard, were renovated and redesigned. Betsy’s former husband, Ian Wessler of Wessler Design Associates, worked with her to create the beautiful garden you see today.
The first major change was to move the driveway to the far right of the front yard from its former location closer to the house and entry way. This gave a much broader area to reconstruct the garden. The entrance to the garage, which originally faced the street, was reoriented to create a turnaround at the end of the new driveway. Broken concrete pieces from the driveway were used to form walkways leading to the entry and around the house to the garage.
One challenge with the design involved mitigating a seepage problem located at the right rear of the front yard. This was done by lowering the grade to create a gravel and rock lined dry creekbed, directing water through the front yard to a gated front vegetable garden. As you will see, it is this creekbed that is beautifully lined with boulders and various tall grasses. Winding back through these grasses one can find a Triflora maple, Zelkova and palm along with lila
c and wild currant.
Original rhubarb, quince and raspberries were kept and moved to various locations throughout the property. Blueberries, Asian pear, persimmon and other fruit trees share the backyard with many of the original camellias.
— Kaaren Anderson
Nan Quick’s Travel Diary: Historic Charleston, SC
All-
My latest travel article has just been published. It’s the first in a two-part series about
Charleston, South Carolina.
Here’s the link for
SPRINGTIME SAUNTERING THROUGH HISTORIC CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
Best- Nan
Garden of the Month: May 2013
The first thing you notice upon arriving at 1120 Prospect Street is the natural quality of the garden – simple, elegant plantings that look as if no one has fussed over them at all. But this garden has been 15 years in the making. At first a tangle of ivy and bushes, it has been transformed into one filled with rhododendrons and peonies that carpet the light-filled, woodsy property. A variety of trees, including Japanese maple, oak, blue spruce and deodara cedar, provide the shade that make this garden thrive. TID water is the only irrigation used to maintain the simple beauty.
Jonathan Warren, the current owner and creator of the garden, moved 15 years ago into the home formerly owned by the Cotton family. Built in 1948, it was the first home on the hill above the university from Siskiyou Boulevard. The garden fills two acres. In addition to the trees and the 245 rhododendrons and peonies, there are numerous cherry trees, lilacs, iris, an enclosed berry garden filled with 100-year-old transplanted raspberry plants, and an abundance of blueberries.
Looking beyond the garden, you’ll see a home that fits the property. Built in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright, it is constructed of clear red cedar. But the most prominent feature is a large boulder that lives both outside and inside the home, creating a small pond in the living room. Talking with Jonathan, there is an obvious sense that both the home and garden are well loved.
All are invited to drive by and view this property as the plants begin to bloom throughout the month of May. From Siskiyou Boulevard take S. Mountain Avenue to the top where it intersects Prospect. Number 1120 will be the garden in front of you. Don’t miss the street views from S. Mountain and Elkader after they dogleg around the property.
Enjoy!–Kaaren Anderson
Nan Quick’s Travel Diary: Chapter Seven
CHAPTER SEVEN: THE GREAT CANOPY OF LONDON’S SKIES; GETTING OLDER IN GREENWICH & GARDEN-STROLLING AT HAMPTON COURT PALACE.
Here’s the link–
Happy Holidays, and Best Wishes- Nan
Nan Quick’s Travel Diary: Chapter Six
CONTEMPLATING THE GENIUS OF PLACE, & THE PLACES OF GENIUSES– Liverpool (Gormley, McCartney, Lennon) ; The Ruins at Witley Court ; Chawton ( Jane Austen’s House).
Here’s the link:
Best- Nan