Last updated on May 15th, 2016
IN MAY, when the days are warm, the air is fragrant, and the phlox subulata (above) is in bloom, I like to take Lily the Beagle on leisurely walks. Would you like to see what we see when we tour the gardens here? Join us.
Because it’s such a sparkling day, perhaps we should sip something bubbly as we walk.
How does Prosecco sound to you?
Would you believe the cork has a smiley face? Obviously this is a very cheerful Prosecco.
Woosh! We are in the Rose Garden now, surveying a pair of Malus ‘Red Jade.’ This is a weeping variety of crab-apple.
Here’s a closeup of Red Jade’s flowers. The buds are deep pink, but the flowers open white.
The boxwood I grew mostly from cuttings is certainly healthy. But it needs a haircut. I’ve scheduled the barber for Saturday. Let’s hope he appears.
Meanwhile, I’ve given the rose beds their annual covering of newspaper and shredded leaves. The arrangement has worked wonders for this garden that was previously paved with asphalt. The paper and leaves smother weeds for an entire season, while providing food for worms and other soil-building organisms. You can read all about “newspaper-mulching” here.
Mind holding Lily’s leash for a moment? I’d like to take a photograph from the attic window.
The attic window is three stories up. So please don’t have a fit when you see me dangling out the window with camera in hand.
The view from this high vantage.
And speaking of high…can I offer you more Prosecco?
Let’s head north, past the Rose Garden, and up the blue-stone path that leads to a grove of white pines.
Standing before the pines, and displaying its beautiful pink flowers, is this young eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis).
Nearby is a ‘Forest Pansy’ redbud. Prior to October 27, 2012, this tree had a beautiful, mounded shape. Then a freak snow-storm hit the northeast, and broke the poor tree in half.
Half a Forest Pansy is better than no Forest Pansy.Just beyond the pines is a little blue-stone staircase that leads to a swimming pool. Shall we have a look?
We recently opened the pool. I haven’t had a swim yet this season, but my partner has–twice.
Did I mention that my partner is a polar bear?
Icy water or not, I enjoy visiting the scantily-clad statues in the pool garden. Pictured above is “Summer.”
Probably we should offer a glass of bubbly to this lecherous Satyr. In Greek mythology, Satyrs are male creatures who inhabit woodlands. They are companions of Dionysus, the god of wine.
I hope you are paying attention. There will be a quiz at the end of this tour.
And please note: these statues may look old to you, but they are in fact quite new. My friend Michael Laudati gave them an an old-world patina by applying a special “wash.” You can read about his easy statue-aging technique in this post.
Opposite the pool is the Kitchen Garden. The pair of Viburnum ‘Cayuga’ at each end of the garden’s front fence are now in bloom. If you are looking for a viburnum that offers a strong, intoxicating scent, by all means seek out this variety. It blooms twice a year — once in spring, once in autumn.
An intimate look at Cayuga’s scented snow-ball.
The arbor at the back of the Kitchen Garden is enveloped in hardy Kiwi vines. I can’t complain. The vines create abundant shade for the two Adirondack chairs beneath.
I’d love to tell you that in summer, the vines produce abundant fruit. But mine have not, even though I planted one male and one female plant, as directed. Probably the plants were mislabeled, which means I have a same-sex kiwi couple.
What’s that you say?
Yes, you may pour yourself another glass of Prosecco.
As you can see, the garlic I planted last autumn is growing with gusto. If you have garlic in your garden, be sure to feed the bulbs regularly in spring. Give them plentiful moisture, too.
The leeks are growing with rocket-speed, too. I set these seedlings in deep holes in order to achieve white, or “blanched” shanks. You can read more about this planting-method in my leek-planting tutorial.
To the north of the Kitchen Garden is the Woodland Garden. Its entrance is marked by a rose-covered arbor. The rose is ‘New Dawn.’
Lily loves the Woodland Garden. And no wonder! Beneath the garden’s canopy of maple, butternut, and catalpa trees, May is bustin’ out all over.
Now in bloom is Primula japonica ‘Apple Blossom’…
And this drop-dead-gorgeous Jacob’s Ladder, or Polemonium pulcherrimum. In spring, the plant covers itself with trumpets of true-blue.
And here’s my beloved Sweet Woodruff. I started this bed of Galium odoratum many years ago. True, it’s not the fastest ground-cover in the world. But its beauty, I think, is worth the wait.
Do you have Polygonatum cyrtonema, or “Solomon’s Seal” in your garden? I love the plant’s variegated foliage, and its dangling white bells that appear in May.
Of course the woodland features ferns. Lots and lots of ferns.
Well, we could spend an entire hour looking at the plants in the Woodland Garden. So let’s save the rest of this shady oasis for another, separate tour, okay?
But not before we cast a parting glance at this dwarf crested iris…
And this pink-jeweled Dicentra spectabilis.
We can work our way back to the house via the Serpentine Garden. I designed this garden out of sheer necessity.
As we enter the garden, we encounter a group of species tulips. Species tulips are the tiny ancestors of the tall, familiar “Dutch” tulips. Pictured above is pink ‘Lilac Wonder,’ and crimson ‘Batalini Red Gem.’ Consider these doll-house plants for the front of a border, or for a rock garden. You can easily force them for indoor winter-bloom, too, just as I do.
Let’s descend the gentle steps of the Serpentine Garden.
Between the third and second terraces is a bench. The bench is shaded by a Yoshino cherry tree. Shall we sit for a moment?
Here is our view from the bench, looking up at the third terrace. On the right are cascading mounds of pink and blue Phlox subulata. Behind the phlox is a hedge of dwarf lilacs. On the left is the steep second terrace. We are headed to that terrace now.
The second, or middle terrace, looking up. Tall purple tulips (the variety escapes me) are blooming in a sea of blue-flowered Vinca minor, with white-flowered Malus ‘Sargeant’ behind.
Another view of the middle terrace.
There are many plants on the first terrace, but only one is currently in bloom: flowering quince ‘Cameo.’ I love the double, or “rosebud” blossoms of this Chaenomeles.
Whoops! Before descending the hill, I forgot to show you Malus ‘Royalty.’ What a colorful tree! It’s purple blossoms are followed by purple foliage. If you need a crab-apple that stands out in a crowd, this tree is for you.
Well, I hope you enjoyed this brief glimpse of the mid-May grounds here. How’s you own garden coming along?
Don’t miss anything at A Garden for the House…sign up for Kevin’s weekly updates.
Related Posts:
From Hellish Hill to Serpentine Garden
Late-April Garden Tour
Strawberry Souffle
Mushroom, Spinach & Rosemary Tart
jeniren says
Beautiful, thankyou so much for the garden tour. So beautiful and inspiring.
Jill says
I really like your garden tours. Thanks. Do you have any problem with deer, rabbits and squirrels? Everything I plant gets eaten by one of these. Even the robin’s eggs in a nest by my front window. I was looking forward to watching them hatch but I found them about twelve feet away on the ground. They had been eaten, too. 🙁
Ann Brunton says
Love your woodland garden, thanks for the wonderful tour!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Jill – How sad about the robin’s eggs. Maybe the nest was attacked by another bird? I have deer, rabbits, and woodchucks here, but they have been very respectful of the gardens. The plants pictured above in the Woodland Garden are all deer-proof. Well, my deer don’t eat them!
Anna says
Wow! Your garden is truly in bloom! I’m so amazed by how quickly it happens and it really does make you feel a certain urgency: You just don’t want to miss any of it! Thanks so much for the tour!
ps. Am LOVING that your prosecco was happy! 🙂
Stacy Gordon says
What a marvelous garden you’ve got!…love love love those rich colors!
Seed House
Melissa Horton says
That was delightful! Great work Kevin. Love your garden!!!
Annie B says
Absolutely gorgeous, Kevin. A beautiful walk. Thank you.
Louise Brouillette says
I love your tours and commentary–keep them coming!
gloria says
I have many of the plants and flowers that you do. But I didn’t know what they were until you identified them for me in this tour through your gardens. I “inherited” lots of perennials and flowering trees, bushes, and shrubs in the gardens when we bought this house 6 yrs ago. It’s been such fun discovering all the beautiful growing things and trying to i.d. them. I appreciate your help.
Gail says
My earlier post was lost I think. Nothing beats being IN your wonderful gardens but a virtual tour OF your gardens is nearly as nice and is so much fun. I can smell the scents, taste the wine, and enjoy your delightful commentary and information so much! Here’s a virtual hug! (((((Kevin)))))
Joan says
I’m drooling. I have some of the same flowers and they don’t look half as gorgeous as yours. I guess it’s the setting. Thanks for sharing.
Chris says
Gorge and thank you
Patty M says
Lovely!
Ruth says
Thank you so much for this tour! As always wonderful Kevin 🙂 I managed to have a beautiful Dicentra this year too, and I’m so proud and happy…
I need some suggestion; my Platycodon are starting to grow quite high already, I live in a warmer place (centre of Spain), they are one year old and still in a pot (I was afraid they would not survive winter, we get minus temperatures where I live, approx zone 8). What about transplanting them in a definite spot? I’ve read a bit and some people recommend transplantation in Spring, others in Autumn, what would your suggestion be? Thanks a lot in advance.
Christie says
Beautiful! Thanks SO very much for sharing! *green with jealousy*
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Ruth – My platycodon disappears each winter, and then returns in spring. It reseeds itself, too. Probably your plant will survive winter in the open garden. Platycodon is hardy in USDA zones 3-8 (not sure how our zones correspond with yours).
Colleen says
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Angela Willis says
I have a question… what if you wanted to make a serpentine terraced garden like yours… but at the top of the hill there is a road (that cars drive on)… ummm… ick… have thought about hiding the road with arborviti, etc… but what else would you do? Would like to see the wall be more accessible…
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Angela – Once you’ve screened out the road, you can have all kinds of fun making a terraced garden. Your local zoning board might not permit a tall fence at the road, but they will ignore a tall, living hedge of arborvitae or Thuja ‘Green Giant.’ This latter shrub would be my first choice.
Anne says
Lovely walk, thanks!
Ruth says
Thanks for your answer Kevin. I’ll leave it in the open garden and let’s see how it behaves next year.
Diane says
lovely & inspiring!
Laura Bremer says
Thank you for the tour, You are in a similar zone as Traverse City MI, I look forward to following your garden through the seasons!
Andree in Spain says
Thank you for the tour it is a wonderful garden xxx
Nora says
Well, you have outdone yourself this time! Thank you so much for taking the time to give us tour.
Much appreciated!
Ann Tidd says
Just love your tours and cannot believe how beautiful your phlox are and all that is blooming. Taking a live tour in June with my daughter also an avid gardener….can’t wait.
Dina says
Such a marvelous garden you have!! And I loved sharing Prosecco with you! Thank you, my friend.
sidne says
Thank you for spending so much time sharing your garden and life. What a lovely place you are making.
Huguette says
Kevin, there must be a time of the year (or better color finger!) to root boxwoods because mine become yellow and I think soon will be dead. But at least I tried and a lot of them.
Amber H says
Such a lovely meander with you and Lily. Thank you.
Warren Dahlstrom says
Mahalo Kevin…. Inspiring.
Sandy says
Beautiful, beautiful and beautiful. Thank you so much!
Cheryl says
Hi Kevin–Your gardens are beautiful and I love everything about them. I’ve been using newspaper to smother weeds for years and now I’m thinking I am poisoning my soil and everything that grows in it. What I have learned about soy-based ink used for newspapers is this: the soy comes from genetically modified crops. Here I thought I was growing organic vegetables in my raised beds–and I am introducing a GMO product into my garden every year. I am sending you this link for you to check out. I would love to hear your thoughts about this.
http://tassiegerminations.blogspot.com/2013/03/is-newspaper-toxic-for-your-organic.html
Dana Hutchinson says
Kevin, I have to say that I enjoyed the stroll in your garden and that it brought peace & serenity to me (our daughter is getting married in 2 weeks, so i’m totally stressed out) and that the photos you share are absolutely breath taking. Thanks for the up-lift and please keep them coming. Love Love Love this site!
Pascale says
Every sunday, I enjoy perusing your garden and your recommendations as I sip my cup of tea.
I would love to know how you deal with tick problems? We spent a week in the Berkshires and our 3 dogs came back with several ticks attached to them. We were looking at purchasing land there but after having spoken with several people who live there, ticks seem to really be a problem more than ever and the lyme disease has increased. I admit to be a bit paranoid having been bit by a deer tick a few years ago. How do you deal with it? is there particular plants you use to repel ticks? The tick problem has increased dramatically in the last few years and right or wrong, it really limits where I want to move so I am trying to understand how others live and deal with that situation. Thank you so much and always looking forward to your advise.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Cheryl – I’ve read similar reports about newspaper. You’ll have to proceed as your conscience dictates. Some gardeners are concerned about the glue used in cardboard, too. Personally, I’ve found that newspaper has only improved the quality of my soil and my plants. For instance, areas that were once infertile are now teeming with earth-worms and other soil-building organisms. And when weighed against the highly-toxic chemicals in the air — chemicals which land on our plants and our soil — newspaper (and cardboard) seem fairly benign.
Pascale – My take on ticks.
Beth P says
Oh Kevin, thank you for the tour! How beautiful it all is! Here in New Hampshire everything seems to have come to a stand still… all of my new plants burst forth and then just seemed to have stopped what with the cool temperatures again. Of course because I am just starting a whole new garden I am being what I am best at, IMPATIENT! LOL! It is such a treat to have found your blog… love your writing and Ms. Beagle as well, oh and did I mention that the Prosecco was marvelous? You are such a wonderful host…
I have also come away with a couple of new plants I want to try, well, OK, I want to try everything but New England doesn’t allow for that so I will try what I can… especially those species tulips, which I had never heard of before. I’m also looking for a weeping type of crab apple…
Well, I’m off to try that biscotti recipe now…
Hugs and enjoy the upcoming week,
Beth P
Harrisville, NH
Laura says
Kevin, I am relatively new to your website and have been catching up on past going’s on with the house and garden – this is a dream for me so I love the fact that you are sharing your garden and house with the world, in addition to teaching me so much about gardening. The gentle life of house and garden make our lives happy – even though it is my husband who digs the big holes, and makes the above ground garden! A very peaceful life, thank you for sharing.
Barbara says
So glad to see that Lily came along for the tour this time!! We have a Basset Hound that loves to smell the herbs in our garden.
Barb L. says
I so enjoyed the tour. I’m in zone 4 (SD) and am several weeks behind you, at least this year. Since I am fairly new to this site, I am wondering: how much land do you have surrounding your home, and how many years have you been working on the gardens? Everything is so beautiful!
Charlotte says
Thank you for the wonderful walk through the garden, I love seeing all you have done.
Beautiful job
Debbie says
Kevin,
I enjoy reading your weekly blog and have learned at lot as I journey through my first real attempt at gardening. I planted garlic bulbs in the fall. Your mentioned the importance of feeding the garlic at this time of year? What is your recommendation for this? I’m in zone 5a and happily, my garlic seems to be growing well so far! Thanks for all your great photos and information!
susan says
Here I am on Sunday morning with my morning coffee reading this post. What a joyful way to start my day. Your gardens are beautiful, peaceful. Thank you for sending us on this ‘walk’. I live in CA and it’s so hot in summer that I am finding it soooo difficult to grow anything. Local nursery is not much help as they are always rushing around helping everyone and they don’t seem to want to slow down enough to help with the many questions I have. Do you have a book to recommend to read that would help in successful growing in zone 9?
Again thank you for a lovely tour!
mona says
Hi Kevin – You are definitely my gardening inspiration!! Thank you so much for the wonderful tour.
Valerie C. says
Just beautiful! I enjoyed that so much! Lily is one lucky pup 🙂
dgdeutsch says
What a magnificent May garden. Thanks for the detailed garden tour. So many different pastels in one place. It’s inspiring.
Leslie Mc says
WOW! Your gardens are beautiful! I have phlox growing here in my desert garden but not as beautiful as yours! Loved your commentary….humorous! Thanks and mahalo for taking the time to grow, create, document, and share!
Karin W. says
What a beautiful walk once again, Kevin! Thank you! And you are so funny … your question after the Kiwi story! Yes, I did have to say something …. !
I have some bugs on my snowball bush this year and don’t quite know what to do about it. The leaves are rolled up and covered with these tiny green lice. The bush is in full bloom, but by far not as beautiful as usually! Any suggestions?
Glad to see your Sweet Woodruff. Do you use it for anything in your kitchen? In Germany, where I am from, you can find “Mai Bowle” at all the restaurants around this time of year. It is made of Champagne with a taste of sweet woodruff. You have to hang it up in bundles and leave it in the champagne overnight I think. Its been a while since we made it. Bu t I sure love the smell of it.
Well, looking forward to “our” next walk!
Karin
Dottie says
Thank you Kevin for the beautiful tour. I especially like the way you have cascaded the phlox subulata. I can never get mine to do that. Shall I place them closer together? Your garden is beautiful. I think we may be a zone colder here in Torrington, Conn. Maybe things are just slower because of the wicked winter. Thank you. Dottie
Mona Tammaro says
Beautiful tour- thanks. Hearing from you each week is like hearing from an old friend. I say Oh good” to myself when I see you in my e-mail. I
despina says
Kevin
It is beautiful. I ad not seen it in May. Your early gardens looks so beautiful.
Rachel Clark says
Such a delicious garden tour. The Proseco was the perfect touch! Thank you.
Pam says
Beautiful tour! Makes me miss the springtime wonders. (I’m FL and spring is not as dramatic in my opinion.) Love your double references too. 😉 Thank you for sharing!! Very nice!
Lynda B says
Your gardens are just beautiful and obviously a work of love and lots and lots of time. Thank you for sharing the beauty of your gardens with us. Also, I think I’ll try the biscotti next weekend. Doesn’t look too hard to pull off. Have a blessed week.
doris ayla dumont says
thanks for that awesome tour
Ardis says
As always, you are a gracious and quick-witted host!! Love these tours, and thank you for the virtual wine! 🙂 And yes, I just bought some Solomon’s Seal for my shade garden today at the Mt. Pisgah Arboretum Wildflower Festival in Eugene, Oregon.
Trish Drake says
thank you so much for your beautiful tour. We are just starting winter in New Zealand and i am sorting out my milk bottles to plant spring seeds. love your house and recipes our favorite at the moment is spaetzle, i managed to find a spaetzle maker here after using a colander first .
thanks for the wine….
Anne says
What you’ve created is just spectacular.
Pat says
Oh thank you for this lovely tour and the delicious prosseco. What a wondrous way to spend my Victoria Day.
Thanks so much.
anita says
A glass of bubbly on a leisurely garden walk. What a lovely idea.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful garden. I also like reading the comments for tips from commenters, and for your answers to their questions.
Ellie says
Absolutely delightful tour and wonderful photos!
Linda says
Simply magnificent! Thank you for sharing!
Linda says
Hi Kevin –
Thanks for a lovely tour. I enjoy your sense of design as well as the plants you pick to accent your garden. Loved the orange addition to biscotti, too.
How do you keep your Galium odoratum under control? I planted a 4 inch pot 10 years ago and now it covers 4 different areas all of which must total 150 square feet! And it is really hard to get rid of as every little bit of root starts a new plant. I sure wish I had known what I was getting into when I planted that plant.
Prairiecactus says
Hi Kevin..wonderful tour! You really have a sanctuary, not a garden or yard. It is so spacious and there are so many different areas to enjoy.
I was at our Wichita Botanica with our oldest daughter and her two little boys last week and we walked and walked and drooled over the gorgeous plants and attractive garden rooms. One thing my daughter mentioned made me laugh then, and again this morning when I read your post.
I was admiring the privet/boxwood areas that provide separation for the different giant musical installments and my daughter said she could not abide them because they smell like “cat pee”. They do have a distinctive aroma, but I would not say it was ode de cat urine!
We started early with yard and garden work this morning…I finally had to stop…hubs is finishing some concrete work…youngest daughter is helping with planting old cast off wash tubs with some wonderful things that love the heat and should bloom all summer.
Hope the random generator finds me this time…good luck to all!
Wishing you a wonderful and star-spangled Memorial weekend.
Elizabeth says
Dear Friend (because I feel like I know you, and I’ve been invited into your home so often),
Your garden is gorgeous. Congratulations on the blast of color and beauty!
chris says
Hi Kevin, I love seeing the pictures of your garden and certainly do wish I could sit with you ont the bench! Thank you for taking time for making this such a wonderful, informative site. I love the recipes!! Thanks, again.
Cathy Haynes says
Loved the view from the attic window! Good thing i was holding on…too much wine you know 😉
I so agree with the viburnum’s heavenly scent. If I ever get to have another house I will definitely be planting one. One of my clients has one, and i walked by it so many times…just to smell it! Even though I see gardens every day…yours are absolutely beautiful!
Isabel says
Beautiful, gorgeous garden, and yes a nice champagne cocktail, would just suit fine while walking thru…
Larva says
Lovely garden. Thanks for the tour!
Topher says
Suhweeeeeet
Cristy Sheehan says
I can just picture Satyrs with a pot of Wave Petunias on his head! The yard is fantastic and the humor to describe it is the best! Thanks for sharing!
nati says
what a fantastic garden you do have!