Last updated on December 14th, 2014
My property is a sea of white once again, thanks to the nor’easter that roared through New York’s Hudson Valley on Wednesday. Feel like romping through the snow? Then by all means join me on this brrrr-isk and brrr-ief garden tour:
We are in the front yard now, with a view of the house. On the right is Syringa vulgaris, the common lilac.
Also flocked in white is an enormous beech tree that stands between the driveway and the rose garden. It is one of the oldest beech trees in New York State. Or so I’ve been told.
The storm flattened my massive forsythia. But that’s okay. The shrub will resume its stature when warmth arrives.
Tip! If you have forsythia in your yard, do what I do, and cut a few branches in December. These, if plunked into a vase of water, and if placed before a window, will produce a bouquet of goldenrod yellow in early January. (The shrub can be forced anytime after it has received 30 cumulative hours of temperatures below 40°F.) Here’s a nifty way to display forsythia indoors.
We are in Siberia the rose garden now. Here, a pair of fountains have transformed themselves into 3-tiered wedding cakes.
True Confession: No sooner had I typed “wedding cakes” than Billy Idol’s “Nice Day for a White Wedding” started to play in my head.
Please make it stop.
We are looking at the yews that form a figure-8 around the rose garden. Later today I’ll take a broom and knock the snow from the shrubs. Otherwise, the stems can become permanently bent.
I will also have to knock the snow from the tall arborvitaes that screen the swimming pool at the top of the south hill. I’m afraid some of the branches are already permanently bent, and will have to be tied upright when spring arrives.
This branch, for instance, will never bounce back without the assistance of twine.
If we hang a right past the arborvitae hedge, we can catch a side-view of the Kitchen Garden. If you’d like to see this garden in its summer glory, visit this post.
Opposite the kitchen patch is the hemlock-framed pool garden. Shall we step inside? I’d like you to see one of the statues there.
Is Miss Autumn dressed to kill, or what? I love her hat and stole. Ermine, you know.
And here’s a rear-view of the arborvitaes we passed earlier. What a fright.
In the Woodland Garden, a tall, thin tree (probably sumac) came down during the storm. Mercifully it did not land on me. Or us.
As you can see, several branches crashed into the table and chairs near the frog pond. I’m glad the furniture wasn’t damaged.
Here’s the Hudson River tributary that runs behind the Woodland. Look carefully, and you’ll see a duck in the water.There are many more ducks, and geese, too, farther up the stream. What an intrepid bunch!
Shall we head back to the house? There, a roaring fire and a drinky-poo await.
Standing behind the kitchen garden, we have a rear-view of the house and its multiple rooftops. The structure with tall chimneys is the “main house.” The long building on the right is the music room. Between the music room and main house is the dining room. The building in the rear is the old kitchen wing.
Now, normally we’d make our descent to the house via the steps of the Serpentine Garden. But today, because the cold has made us feel giddy, I think we should cast caution to the wind, and slide down the hill.
WHEEEEEEEEE!
Don’t pretend that wasn’t fun.
Take a seat in the parlor, and warm yourself beside the fire…
While I pour French brandy into a very large pair of snifters.
As we sit and sip, perhaps you can tell me if the sight of freshly-fallen snow appeals to you. Personally, I love it. Especially at Christmas-time.
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lora kling says
A walk through a winter wonderland—definitely the best present for this homesick New Englander! My cheeks feel pink and I can hear the stillness interrupted only by the sound of clumps of snow falling off tree branches. Thanks to you it really is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas even here in Georgia. Thanks for the gift of Christmas back home.
Louise Brouillette says
Oh, Kevin, that was a fabulous tour! Thank you for opening your home and gardens to your readers. Someday, I hope to take a tour of your wonderful home.
Jay says
I love your pictures of new snow, especially since I don’t have to deal with it here in sunny SoCal!
Carolyn says
Kevin, that was such a lovely winter tour of your gardens. The fire and that brandy warmed me to my toes! Thank you so much for sharing with all of us.
Marilyn Elliott says
Love snow, which we don’t get a lot of here in north central Texas. A snowfall like the one you picture would paralyze us!
Hope you wore your wellies on that tour. I certainly had mine on!
Delores Short says
After the fabulous tour thru your beautiful snow gardens–the brandy and fire was a perfect ending–thank you for sharing–by the way where was Lilly??
myttle miller says
With that amount of snow, your spring garden should do really well.
badger gardener says
I am still hoping for a white Christmas, but we just haven’t had much this year. It is great to see your garden all decked out in winter-white. Thanks for trudging through to give us a tour.
Sharon says
Enjoyed every word and view.
Pam Taylor says
Absolutely lovely!
Betty says
I do not get snow where I live so that is amazing to see those pictures of your garden
Another Carolyn says
Loved the tour. I do love a snowfall that stays on the branches for awhile (when it’s so heavy it bends/breaks branches, not so much). My favorite parts were Autumn’s splendor (SUCH an improvement over modern “fashion”), the slide back to the house (WISH I were there) and the beautiful fire. You won’t mind if I bring my knitting and hang out for a while, will you?
Martha Robinson says
Thank you for these beautiful pictures. We haven’t met, but I have become so fond of reading your commentary and having you guide me through recipes, that I read your “tour” in what I imagine to be your voice. Don’t we all do that with our favorite authors, or is it just me? I especially liked Miss Autumn’s ermine stole and hat. Thanks for bringing us back in to the fire. I so appreciate your posts, all year.
Sheryl says
Thanks for that, Kevin – we have a lovely winter landscape here in northwestern Vermont, also. Unfortunately, my forsythia is too small still to be cutting into it in the winter…but I love the idea of using the crabapple branches – I’ll make a note on my calendar for February.
I loved the slide down the hill before getting to the fire and the brandy!
M Brown says
Kevin, loved the tour. I haveaquestion. Do you have a deerproblem and if so is the fence around the garden sufficient to keep them out. I have so much trouble with deer in my garden and was thinking about a 7 or 8 foot deer proof fence but Idon’t like how that will look. I do have raised beds similar to your’s.
Michelle says
As a fellow Hudson Valley-er I fully appreciate the beauty you see everyday regardless of season. We are fortunate. Thanks for sharing.
Kyle says
I love Billy Idol’s “White Wedding” . DON’T STOP!!!!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi M Brown – Yes, the wire-mesh fencing around my kitchen, herb, and pool gardens keeps the deer out. And believe me, lots of deer visit this property!
Lynda Failla says
Kevin, Thanks for the snowy tour. I love your home and gardens and am happy to meet another sentimental soul like myself. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Gina says
Happy Sunday Kevin, we just had a thunderstorm roll through. I love any kind of moisutre but your snow is so pretty and your fire delightful
Jere says
You’re so cute! You made the tour just like I was your bestest friend! What a lovely home and garden, they are lucky to have you as their human !
Mary in Iowa says
Well, thanks–“… White Wedding” is now stuck in MY head! It’s great treadmill music, and it’s high time the machine got over the idea it deserves an extension of its long, leisurely vacation. The wedding cake fountains are lovely. In the aerial photo of the previous snow, the rose garden looked like a gorgeous bit of antique lace. Sorry about the downed tree, though.
Ardis says
Thank you Kevin for the beautiful tour! I also LOVE the snow, especially at Christmas too! So far things have been fairly mild here in Oregon. I hope you have a very happy and fun Christmas!
ingmarie peck says
Lovely ,as usual. Your photos are great.
I love the new fallen snow, it is so beautiful. ( I also liked the “shot” of the brandy)
I must say however ,I do not miss living in the cold of Sweden, love the temps of Florida,
Clarisa says
Kevin, thank you! You made my day ! I loved those pictures, they bring me back wonderful memories during my stay in USA. I am so thank you to have you, you give us creatives and delicious dishes all together with the beauty of your pictures !! I loved them ! You have a wonderful Holiday Season! Thank you again!!
Donna says
I too, love your winter wonderland pictures while sit on my lani here in Florida. I use to be in those pictures—can’t say I miss it but I do love looking at pictures. Thanks Kevin
sue chiafullo says
Kevin, your garden really transforms to something quite magical in the snow. Loved the statue photo!
Donna says
Wow. This sure brought back memories from my childhood intoledo Ohio. Thanks Kevin. I enjoyed this while sitting at my gazebo in Florida drinking coffee. Merry Christmas to you and yours. And your little doggy.
Terry says
I’m heading out to snip some forsythia branches. What a great idea! I always force some in the early spring but had no idea you can do it now. Thanks for the advice. Love your snowy wonderland! 🙂
Jackie Peschong says
Alas, a temperature inversion has taken all our snow away! It is currently 48 degrees in our part of Minnesota. I love thinking of the first heavy snowfall as Mother Nature covering all her plants with a huge white down comforter for the winter. Your tour was wonderful. Thanks. Happy holidays to you and yours.
Susan Golden says
Kevin, I never tire of seeing your beautiful property, no matter what the season! Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy life to invite us in for a stroll and a lovely brandy before your fire! It was delightful!!!
Karren Haller says
What a lovely tour, I love first snow it clears the air and that blanket of white is beautiful!!! I will take that drinky now, the fire feels good!!!
*Merry Christmas*
Karren
Arlene Bice says
Kevin, You have the absolutely best blog ever! I love each and every one! Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you. I’m very grateful for your work even though I don’t comment often.
Peggy says
Being originally from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula I love freshly fallen snow especially of the fluffy variety. Here in the pacific NW usually it is the heavy wet stuff. I agree that snow is needed at Christmastime. It doesn’t seem like Christmas without it. Thanks for a great tour. Is it hard to heat such a spread out layout of a house? We heat with a woodstove so glad our house has a smaller footprint. Your house looks beautiful in each season but especially in the winter. Like your beech tree, too. Saw a lot of big ones that occurred naturally in the forest where I used to live in Michigan.
Pam R says
Lovely!
Denise T says
I forgot about forcing forsythia. I have some quince branches blooming right now and looking very Asian in design. I decided that since the deer shaped the bottom of the shrub I would balance it out by trimming down the top even though it’s the wrong time of year to do it. I saw the baby buds on some of the branches and thought to force them and it worked. They are gorgeous! When they fade I will bring in some forsythia. I need to Google to see what else I can force from the yard to make me smile on a long winter’s day.
I have amassed a huge amount of plastic milk jugs to winter seed as per your instructions and will start right after Christmas. I ordered a bunch of fruit trees from Georgia a couple days ago and know they will arrive at the most inconvenient time to plant them. I am very excited though. Am going to espalier pears, nectarines and plums and try to grow 3 apples together in one cluster type tree. Next summer will be THE BOMB in my garden! I mean that in a good way. The seedling perennials will probably be way too small to plant out in the beds but maybe there will be a few…
Hubby just emptied the hen house onto one of the new garden beds (pine shavings and poo) so that will have a nice long time to break down into the soil.
http://www.sunset.com/garden/garden-basics/deer-proof-country-garden this is the fence we built last spring/summer. It is going to have no top border rail or small slats n the bottom as we liked the open square look of the basic fence when we put it up. It’s a bit more modern and simple blending w/ the Arts & Crafts details of the house. We did not finish the entranceways which will have very high arbor/trellis added. The whole fence it very high to start with so the doorway arches will balance I think.
Love watching and learning from your blog. Thanks for the time you put into it.
Denise Tedeschi
Laura says
An ex-Minnesotan, NO, snow does not appeal to me. It can happen here in the PNW, but I feel quite betrayed when it does. Glad you like it, though, and you do put a positive spin on it!
Kip Morrissette says
Living on Alabama’s Red Neck coast, our snow is the kind you walk through barefoot. I agree with you and all those who have experienced SNOW during Christmas, it is beautiful! We too are from New England and sitting by the fireplace, looking out our big windows into the street light and seeing those big fluffy flakes falling just makes me so lonesome. Your photo’s are the next thing to having snow for Christmas. I had to laugh at Ms Autumn’s hat and the stole…the hat looks like it has a perfect green feather coming out the right side. Is the roof on your main house in pretty good shape? I see the snow has melted here and there, which meant (to us) that heat was escaping. I hope we worried about that for nothing, but we did replace our roof because we believe everything people tell us. lol
Beverly, zone 6, eastern PA says
My Arborvitae’s do the same thing in a heavy snowfall. A neighbor pre-emptively wraps his with twine in the fall, spiraling like a barber pole stripe, before any snow is expected and that seems to work well for him. His Arb’s are not really thick (yet). I love the photo of your majestic Beech Tree.
CarolAnn says
Hey there, Kevin. Thanks for the white wonderland tour. It’s been many years since I lived in NY and snow is a rare sight.
I am always impressed by everything about and around your home. I am curious about the back view of the house. Can you go from main house to music room and dining room or must you go outside to get to those areas?
Naomi Shelton says
Thanks for the snowy tour. I do think the freshly fallen snow makes everything look lovely. Especially if one doesn’t have to go out in it! I would much prefer that the snow come and make everything beautiful and stay instead of melting and turning into brown mush as it does so often here in mid-Michigan.
I just thought of a question. Does your house have good central heating? How much do you depend on the fireplaces for comfort? I wonder because all of those separate wings attached to the main house have so many sides exposed–that is, so many outer walls. It seems like it would be very hard and expensive to heat. Brrrr! Makes me shiver thinking about it!
Mary in Iowa says
Was looking at your gorgeous photos again this morning, and I missed a detail completely yesterday. Look carefully at the very bottom left of Miss Autumn’s ermine stole, and there, as sure as there is snow on the ground, is the profile of a man sculpted by Nature.
margo in Florida says
LOVE the tour Kevin, and your witty comments. Love seeing the snow but not enough to move back north to it. Think I’ll stick to making sand castles!
Debra says
Kevin-
When are you going to show us the old kitchen wing? OR did I miss it?
Happy Holidays!
Ellen says
Love your website, photos, recipes, ideas. Wish you were my neighbor! Thinking about moving to a warm climate because it is so depressing to put away my patio furniture for the winter. I would really miss the climate changes and some snow.
Happy Holidays.
Susan says
Beautiful! I am jealous….hard to believe we are in the same growing zone! We had an icky, drizzly Christmas here in central Iowa….
Ruth says
Kevin, I love your website. The only way I enjoy snow is in your tours! I am a warm weather lover. Since I did not win your cobalt blue mixer, I was lucky enough to have a husband who gave me one for Christmas! I love it! It has been a challenge to adjust from a hand mixer!
James Stewart says
Thanks for the wonderful vicarious tour. I find too many people ignore their gardens in winter, when the architecture comes to the fore. I think it’s one of the loveliest times and there’s no weeding! I too have an old house in the Hudson Valley. Although we missed that snow, we had a very similar one the day before Thanksgiving that coated everything in a heavy white blanket. As beautiful as it was, it did wreak havoc on elements of the garden (like your arborvitae.) I had some very old vertical taxus that got permanently bent out of shape. I hard pruned them to half their previous height. My boxwood hedges were flattened. I got the snow off right away before it could melt and then re-freeze on the leaves. They’ve bounced back nicely. Now I’d like to see a nice, light 4-6 inch blanket to protect the garden during the coldest stretch, without crushing my hedges.