Jerry, Luke and I have just returned from an inspiring road trip and tour of gardens, nurseries and farms (LUCKY, I know!). Our trip began on Wednesday. Our first planned stop was to be Old Farm Nursery in Lakeville, Connecticut. However, while driving through Millbrook, NY, we made a frantic U-turn in order to visit Innisfree Garden, a stunning and dramatic mix of plants, rocks (and plants ON and IN rocks), moss, shade plants at their best, waterfalls and Asian statuary all surrounding a 40 acre lake. Jerry was especially enthusiastic about the moss and stone, Luke about the sedums and stone, and I was drawn to a grouping of old and rambling climbing hydrangea on a stone wall.
Next was Old Farm Nursery in Lakeville, Connecticut, which I found to have a similiar aesthetic sensibility as Linden Hill…a perfect mix of formality and creativity. At the entrance, many sculptural elements and planters were arranged around a pillared dome. We continued to wander, noticing many lovely and practical design decisions.
Back on the road, we headed to Campo de’ Fiori in Sheffield, Massachusetts, makers of hand-crafted, aged pottery and garden decor. Campo de’ Fiori goods are popular and coveted at Linden Hill, so it was extremely exciting to visit their headquarters and showroom (we even got a peek at a stockroom (a hoop house, actually) full of one-of-a-kind creations. Luke, Jerry and I also perused the cloches, and glass containers for ideas for our upcoming Terrarium Workshop.
In very close proximity to Campo de’ Fiori is an expansive and scenic orchard and nursery called Windy Hill Farm. Luke and I commented on the great health and variety of the plants. We also admired a continuous, curved line of espaliered apple trees.
With great anticipation, we headed to Cady’s Falls Nursery in Morrisville, Vermont, owned by Don and Lela Avery. Cady’s Falls grows almost all of their plants, which is so impressive, everything from conifers to aquatics to Rodgersias (which we brought back, Rodgersia podophylla to be exact, along with Adiantum pedatum ‘Billingsae’ and a few interesting succulents). The display and retail areas are meticulously maintained, and expertly labeled. In the display gardens, I enjoyed the contrast of the architectural conifers with meandering succulents. The place itself has so much heart, and you can feel the ambition and dedication.
Our last destination on our whirlwind tour was Rockydale Gardens in Bristol, Vermont. It seemed like the sister nursery of Linden Hill Gardens…artful retail displays and signage, friendly staff, marvelous and rare plants, a gift shop in an old barn…..and, ♥ All of us loved the green roof on the checkout barn!
The tour concluded at Linden Hill Gardens, (which I must say, looks spectacular!), on Friday, just in time for the Farmer’s Market. I look forward to your visit! -Jessica
