Monroe County Historical Association Garden Tour

I dropped my camera just before H.H. and I left for the Monroe County Historical Association Garden Tour; neither the zoom nor the macro works now. I couldn't use my DSL as the battery needed charging, so we took the tour with less than perfect photographic equipment. As a result, I feel I didn't do justice to the wonderful properties we visited. Here are my best pictures from four of the nine gardens open to visitors that day. I'll keep the narrative brief in this long posting. Enjoy the tour with me ...

Shirley's and Todd's Gardens
Rimrock Gardens is an unusual garden center with an amazing two acres of unique plants including 500 types of hostas. I was flabbergasted by 'Curly Lampost,' a rare Norway Spruce with unmatched visual impact. It has a very narrow growth habit with tight, congested puckered leaves.

Acer Platanoids 'Curly Lampost'

Shirley and Todd own this paradise

With beauty at every turn, we meandered through Rimrock Gardens

Part of Shirley's and Todd's miniature hosta collection.

Tasteful ornamentation in every bed

With my love of hostas I was fascinated by 'Gunther's Prize' an unusual sport of 'Sum and Substance.' Love its shiny golden leaves streaked and flecked with green hues.

Hosta 'Gunther's Prize'

I came away with a couple of plant purchases for my own garden -- who could resist?

Sharon's and Vic's Gardens
Massive columns created from former powerline poles mark the entrance to this beautiful property. We parked there and enjoyed the peaceful walk to the house past a wildflower meadow.

Driveway to the House

Sharon greeted us warmly and showed us her beautiful gardens.

One of the many whimsical pieces of 'garden art'

The Shade Walk path of white marble chips

A lovely statue in a circle of trees is the Shade Walk's 'destination'

The bracket-work of the house gables has an Asian influence, reflected in plantings such as flowering quince. We admired collections of hydrangea, clematis, lilacs, hosta and roses.

Foundation plantings at the California Arts and Crafts style house

This property is deep in the woods and if you are wondering why there's no deer damage to the beautiful plants: like many Pocono gardeners, Sharon and Vic surrounded their beautiful gardens with fencing, including electric wiring.

Bonnie's and Charlie's Garden 
Bonnie, a fellow master gardener, has a spectacular garden. We visited before but not in the springtime when trees, roses and clematis were blooming. I love the free-form design with vegetables planted among the flowers. The pond and waterfall provide a restful destination.

Raised beds with tomatoes, eggplant and other vegetables among the flowers.

Bonnie graciously gave us a tour

Tuteurs with clematis. Rhododendrons make a statement next to the house

Waterfall. Loved the frogs on the side of the pond.

Roses in bloom; earlier than mine

Inviting seat under the Dogwood tree

Eryngium planum Sea Holly

The tour was further enhanced by Bonnie's and Charlie's son playing beautiful, relaxing guitar music. It was difficult to leave. 

Lizzy's Garden
Lizzy bought this 1780's house just over a year ago. The garden was a blank canvas and after weeding and clearing the ground, Lizzy began with foundation planting and a vegetable garden. Her artistic talents are obvious in the creative ornamentation at every turn.

One of several colorful window boxes

Lizzy proudly showed us her achievements thus far.

She has a flare for finding unusual garden ornaments.

Foundation planting

Flower garden and fountain. A brick path takes you through the arbor.

The vegetable garden is in a raised bed to the left of the picture.

Outbuildings on the property include a restored garden cottage, a schoolhouse and a chapel. As Lizzie says, "They are ripe for garden development."

Italianate chapel built in the 1860's.

Liz's garden, in its infancy, is full of exciting possibilities. 

The weather was perfect, the gardens sublime and the hosts charming; a wonderful day.  I hope you enjoyed this very small taste of the places we visited.

Happy Gardening,
Pamela x

'Jigsaw' pathway at Rimrock Gardens

~~ I love reading your comments. I hope you leave one so I’ll know you visited!

I look forward to visiting your blog in return.