Last updated on February 11th, 2016
Last night, for the very first time during this very warm winter, the heavens spilled some measurable snow in my Hudson Valley ‘hood. The total accumulation was only two inches — enough to make the garden sparkle. Wanna see the plants and statues all decked out in their crisp, white apparel? Grab your mittens and take a walk with me:
Naturally, we should treat ourselves to some cake before we head outside. It’s a particularly decadent cake, because I made it with chocolate and red wine. Here’s the recipe.
Now click your heels three times, and…
SWOOSH! We are standing at the garden gate, with a view of the Boxwood Garden. Please proceed.
If you’d like to see ribbons of enduring green (or white!) in your garden, then by all means obtain some boxwood. This Buxus is easy to grow. It’s also a cinch to propagate. I grew most of my collection (320 plants) from simple cuttings.
Framing the boxwood are 190 upright yews, or Taxus Hicksii. These evergreens were obtained as teeny-tiny specimens. And my, how they’ve grown!
As we exit the boxwood garden and walk north, we encounter an ascending, snow-obscured path. Feeling brave? Take my arm, and I’ll guide you up the path to a trio of white pines.
The pines in question. We’re at the top of the hill now, looking west through an opening in the trees. Straight ahead, between two cast-iron urns, is a headless statue of Venus de Milo.
To our right is a row of arborvitate. If you listen carefully, you’ll hear birds chirping nervously among the evergreen boughs. The “arbs” were no taller than I am at planting time. Now, at 18 feet, they’ve become statuesque beauties.
And speaking of statuesque beauties, here’s Venus de Milo. In case you’re wondering, she lost her head in a lawn-mowing accident.
Making a sharp right past the statue, we bump into the Kitchen Garden. The raised beds provide structural interest even in the snow.
Opposite the kitchen beds is the Pool Garden. Shall we open the gate?
I hate to break this to you, but can’t skinny-dip swim today. But we can certainly say “hello” to some classical statuary!
Standing among the snow-frosted hemlock hedge is Mr. Satyr. He’s a lecherous soldier.
Pictured above is “Autumn,” dressed to kill in an ermine hat with matching stole.
And here is Ms. Summer, all decked out for a night at the opera.
One fine day, I intend to purchase Ms. Winter and Ms. Spring. Then my collection of cement-cast seasons will be complete.
Beyond the pool and kitchen gardens is the Woodland Garden. The metal arch that marked the garden’s entrance was unfortunately toppled during a recent wind storm. And that’s a shame, because now we will have to hop over the thing.
We won’t linger in the Woodland for long, because there isn’t much to see here in February.
Behind the Woodland is a Hudson River tributary. And ducks. Lots and lots of shivering ducks.
What’s that you say?
You’d like more cake?
Alrighty then. Let’s head back to the house.
Our view from Kitchen Garden. We could make our descent via the Serpentine Garden, or simply slide, on our backsides, down the hill. The choice is entirely yours.
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That was fun. I’m so glad you chose the faster descent.
While I fetch the cake…
Please warm yourself by the fire. And as we sit and swoon, I hope you’ll tell me all about your own garden. Is it buried in snow?
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More house and garden fun:
Angelic Zucchini Fritters
House Tour: The Entrance Hall
A Short Walk in the Kitchen Garden
Rose says
After waiting for the groundhog to tell us Spring is coming, Winter gives us this perfect snow to decorate our gardens…and for snow balls too! Got to appreciate the beauty for sure.
Working indoors on my seeds and plans to rearrange the raised bed garden. Always looking to perfect last year’s ideas. Looks like you’ve got that down. Beautiful spaces!
P.S. Whatever happened to Venus’ head?
Mary in Iowa says
Beautiful! I’m amazed that this is your first snow. I thought you must have been buried when the massive storms hit New England. The fountains look like giant wedding cakes, but I have to say that I hated like heck tromping down the pristine paths and leaving my boot prints in the new fallen snow. Everything here is snow dusted again after last week’s warm temps melted most of the accumulated snow. Your garden demonstrates the wisdom of planting lots of evergreens to provide structure and beauty in the otherwise barren winter landscape. Thanks for sharing the white wonderland.
Tressa says
Thanks for the walk and for always inspiring.
Donna says
Thank you so much for the personal tour….we were alone weren’t we? I love the heavy wet snow sticking to all the trees, statues, etc….love looking at it but not shoveling it! Keep all the beauty and deliciousness coming!
Jill says
I clicked my heels 3 times and went along, at first, on what I thought would be this whimsical journey. My mind was free of worries, I had your arm, and nothing but a relaxing tour ahead of me. Just follow the beautiful path, he said. And then screeeeeeech……lawn mower accident? What? How? lol. Among your many talents, you are also a wonderful writer. Thank you.
selma says
Such a beautiful tour! My garden has 5 inches of snow covering it. I protected my boxwoods with covers ( I only have two) Is this not necessary? I see that you leave all 200 of yours uncovered! Thanks for the cake recipe…I will be making this for Valentine’s Day! Love your Blog it is the only one I read regularly… so full of great ideas, landscaping, gardening and food!
Bethe says
No snow here….we hit record 74 degrees in Sacramento yesterday. Just received my ordered seeds and will pot up the seeds to place in my small greenhouse gifted to me at Christmas from a thoughtful daughter. Still figuring out structure for support of garden peas that will go into the ground next weekend. We have a lovely long growing season – I’m a California native and wouldn’t have it any other way. Love your blog!
Beverly, zone 6, eastern PA says
Regarding your fallen arbor, I would like to suggest using metal, screw-in dog tie out stakes. Two heavily laden arbors fell over for me at their peak of flowering and I needed to prevent it from recurring. On a temperate day with moist ground, I screwed in one stake at the outer NW corner and one at the outer SE corner of the arbor’s base. I used a hammer handle inside the top triangle opening to turn the device spiraling downward into the subsoil. The diagonal angle of entry was calculated to slant opposite from the direction in which the arbor would fall over from wind. I connected the stake to the arbor itself using short links of chain and heavy bolts/nuts. No arbors have fallen here since that time. All three are reinforced this way.
(I also use the stakes as a theft deterrent for pricey wrought iron pieces which are visible from the nearby road. Once you have been the victim of theft, you think more defensively.)
Below is a link to a dog tie out stake, mostly for the photo, not because I did any price comparisons:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001B7P83A/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_3?pf_rd_p=1944687522&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0002APLYI&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=12N98HBFE1GR67WSKKZY
We also got 2″ of wet snow overnight. The brilliance of reflective light in every room inspires me to get crafty. There is a lot of wisdom to planning for winter interest in your personal landscape. The view out the kitchen window includes statuary, or wrought iron tuteurs or decorative arbors just to break up the whiteness. Conifers around the garden’s edges are majestic today. Doggie footprints on the slate patio are charming. Alas, time to shovel.
Bill says
Aww man, thank you for posting these pictures. I am stuck inside an office during the day, and I do not get to see such beautiful scenery. Your property, and the way it is landscaped, is simply gorgeous.
Kevin, how long did it take for your yew shrubs to grow that high? We would like to start a hedge of them to replace a wood fence that blocks out the view of our woodpile from the road. I wonder how long it would take to grow a six foot high yew hedge and how far apart we would need to plant them? We live a little further to the West of you in the Mohawk Valley.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Beverly – Thanks for the link. I would never have thought to use dog tie-out stakes to secure an arbor. Excellent tip.
Hi Bill – Thanks for joining me on this virtual tour. Hicksii Yews: These are painfully slow to grow. If a height of 6 feet is your goal, maybe start with the tallest specimens you can afford, and space them 3 feet on center. Mine achieved 6 feet after 8 molasses-like years, but the shrubs were only 12 inches tall at planting time. Frankly, I thought they’d never grow!
Durf says
Yes, we just had our fifth storm. They’ve all been pretty minor, though. I hate snow, but refuse to leave New England! It is soooo beautiful, though. I figure I might take a liking to it when I retire in a few years and don’t have a nasty commute to deal with.
Rita B says
Hi Kevin,
Loved the walk through the Gardens. It looks like fine sparkly sugar was sprinkled
on everything. So divine. My favorite part was sitting by the fire warming my toes.
Thank you Kevin
Phyllis B says
As I sit here reading your blog, listening to my sparrow family chit-chatting outside their houses, I am being taken away from the daily “hurry, get up and go”. Thank you for the tour! I live in New Haven, close to LI Sound and we got an accumulation too; normally we get passed by as it travels up north to Litchfield County. I loved your gardens…..what a grand Castle you have. Enjoy your emails and all the interesting things you talk about AND cook. You truly are a master at many things………………….
Jill says
Hi Kevin
Thanks for the walk through your beautiful garden. There’s nothing quite like a crisp white snow scene, something we have forgotten about living here in sunny Queensland. Whilst you were feeling a little chilly, we were baking (outside – too hot to cook!) in 37 deg C!!!!! Thanks again and thanks too for your delish recipes!!
Kindest regards
Susan Golden says
Good Morning Kevin!
I always enjoy our walks through your gardens and this one was particularly lovely! I am on the verge of opening a very small nursery and I have 11 raised beds of landscaping plants and stock plants waiting for Spring! Last year I only had 5, so I bought wire mesh and white heavy plastic and made low tunnels over them. They were all snuggled in for the winter and when I opened them in April, they were perfect, with no damage! This year, I got behind in my winter-prep chores and decided the leave the beds open and cross my fingers. Well, instead of finger crossing I may as well have printed up a Bunny Menu of all of the tasty plants I had to offer! Those little devils have munched their way through everything but the evergreens and the boxwood! They ate my stock plants down to the ground and the pots of plants that were to be sold this spring have little one-inch stubs sticking out of the dirt! the best possible outcome will be that the plants come back and that I only have to wait for another year to open my nursery. I will be holding my breath in the Spring waiting for any sign of life from these poor decapitated plants! The rabbits even went after my 12 new roses that I had potted in 5-gallon buckets. I can’t believe they ventured near them with their terrible thorns, but they ate my 2-3 foot bushes down to 6-inches! I will go back to covering my raised beds next winter, but how will I keep those whipper snappers from doing a job on the plants in my yard??? My roses, Rose of Sharon, Weeping Forsythia, etc. are all eaten down to the ground! Do you have predator issues in your beautiful gardens? Sorry to whine about my Bunny Smorgasbord, but I so hoped to open Golden Gardens this year. I guess I need to think positively and just thank Mother Nature for the free pruning job! Oh, I’ll be seeing you on your garden tour this year! I can’t wait!
Rima says
Hi Kevin! Lovely pictures! I had a question. Do you leave the fountain uncovered? We installed a concrete one last summer but we covered it for fear of cracking. Am I unduly worried? Thanks for the cake recipe.
PS you make everything looks doable and we’re my inspiration that I could do my own kitchen garden and I have slowly increased its size one bed at a time! Keep the posts coming.
Diane says
A fresh snowfall seems to make everything so calm, clean and serene. Even sounds seem to be muffled and all is right with the world. Unless the power goes off! Not good!
John says
Wonderful tour! I love that you include stuff like the toppled arch –keeping it real.
We’ve had some good snowfalls here in Minnesota. Everything is buried. I have to shovel paths so the dogs have somewhere to run, and shake snow from the shrubs so they don’t get flattened.
We installed outdoor lighting last summer. The little path lights make the yard look like Narnia in the evening. I wasn’t expecting that at all! There’s a spotlight shooting up into the walnut tree that makes it look like a sculpture.
Thanks for showing your gardens.
Karen says
well this winter has been good until January 23 when we received 30 inches of snow. had to wait till my neighbor came with his tractor and bucket to dig me out. it was beautiful but it is currently snowing again. been home sick since 2/7.
loved the pictures of the garden. there is some hope in spring coming. hope we do not get any more winter storms. I have had enough. I am sure we are now caught up water wise.
have a happy valentines day. we were suppose to go out for dinner, but canceled as it is suppose to be -0. rather stay in by the wood stove with snacks and a glass of wine/\
Karen Knight says
Kevin
I always leave our walks together laughing my head off!! Glad i brought my mittens in order to hold the cold martinis as we slid down that last hill!!;-)
Barb says
I am anxiously awaiting the warm weather, though it hasn’t been that bad in Baltimore so far this year except for our record breaking blizzard the end of January!!!!. Can’t wait to get outside and dig in the dirt!!!
Cathy Graves says
Thanks for your winter garden tour, it was a bright spot in my day. When I first saw your toppled arch, I thought , “what a lovely fence he has to mark the woodland path”-guess it’s all a matter of perspective. I’m inspired by your evergreens + raised beds, + am thinking of how to work them both in our modest back yard. I look forward to your posts thru all
the seasons.
Laura Johmson says
Down here in Georgia, we had some tiny little white specks flying around the other day. And lots of cold wind. This is the time of year we do hardscqping, pruning, major heavy work. Before the hot, humid weather sets in. However- it has been raining, raining raining. Then COLD with damp bone chilling wind. Needless to say, the hardscaping is way behind. But lots of closet cleaning and cooking. Must try that sinful looking chocolate thing!
Janice in Vermont says
Thanks, Kevin, for a wonderful fantasy interlude this cold morning. I have a couple of inches of snow too, but it’s not covering a lovely garden such as yours. I’m full of admiration for your vision and your hard work in creating your garden rooms. Wondering what you do about deer? I’m up a hill on a dirt road with more horses than cars, and plenty of wildlife that it would cost me quite a lot of investment in fencing to keep away…
Sheri Mac says
Love this post! I felt like it was a personalized tour just for me! We don’t get snow where we live in Arizona, so this was a treat!
Trish P. says
You shouldn’t have let Venus de Milo cut the lawn!
Barbara D says
I must compliment you Kevin on your lighthearted yet vivid writing style. You have a wonderful way with words. Even blanketed with snow your garden and grounds look beautiful. And that roaring fire! Thank you for a delightful start to my day.
Gladys Rellinger - 5B- Waterloo, Canada says
I loved the garden tour. We too had a snowfall yesterday. It sure has been a warm winter so far but it is now -15 degees here. I am noticing that my bird feeders are down pretty low and they won’t last the day so I need to get dressed and go out and fill them. Brr. I have noticed that you have no bird feeders? Well out I go What I don’t do for the birds.
PLEASE, INCLUDE WHAT PART OF THE COUNTRY YOU ARE WRITING FROM.
Janet Metzger says
What a lovely tour, and so much fun with cake at the beginning and a warm fire and cake at the end!
What a fine way to start the day!
Janet
Trudi says
LOVED the virtual walk ..If it’s as cold up there as here I know I appreciate that it was you in the boots ,hat and scarf taking the pix .and not me. I still have not made the cake with the “new and improved” ingredients. Gotta round up some neighbors to help with the eating part. or I will eat it all and go into a sugar coma. PS The first one almost didn’t make it into the oven … it was SO good raw!
Marianne says
Thank you, Kevin, that was very nice! My own garden is green and sunny right now with a pleasant 62 degrees. My pink pentas are blooming as well as my red geraniums although I think if my palms could talk they’d ask for it to warm up a bit more after a chilly South Florida night in the mid-forties. Inside my orchids and african violets are blooming and my amaryllis just opened with four blooms after spending the past summer outside in dappled shade. No cake for me as I am presently trying to lose a few pounds. ::sigh:: I’ll just enjoy yours vicariously.
Jan says
Hi Kevin – what a great tour – so peaceful and quiet. Here in Morgan Hill, California (just south of San Jose) we had a lovely 73 degrees yesterday. I have a winter vegetable garden and am harvesting tons of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, beets, carrots, chard, all different greens and lettuces, and peas. We still need more rain and hope that El Nino kicks in again soon to get us out of this devastating drought!
Tracy says
Hi Kevin,
As always, your stories are highly entertaining. Why do I think you’re probably a blast in person?
Patricia Levin says
Hi Kevin, I really love your fireplace!
brenda treants says
Hello Kevin Lee, thank you for letting us enjoy your beautiful garden and grounds again. We never get tired of seeing your place. Only thing, we all turn “green” with envy, things are so lovely. Thank you again. Here in NC our weather has been varied this year. The weather “guessers” are saying snow for even us early next week-and cold !!! My yard has lots of things that are freezing to death even now. Hope nothing dies this winter and when I loose something it makes me cry. But then, I’ve read ” that tears are what make our garden grow.” Or is that simply a Southern “ole husbands tail” ? Do keep sharing with us, you are appreciated very much. Sincerely BrendajTreants
Regina says
Hello Kevin, I have daffodils blooming and hyacinths buds beginning to open in GA, zone 7. Always a sign that spring may arrive soon once more!!
Margo says
Hi Kevin- Being in southwest Florida I am in the middle of our growing season. Fresh juicy tomatoes abound! I shiver thinking about shoveling snow. I did that for decades and my old weary back will have no more ! I miss the northern springs but not enough to move back!
I love your gardens and yard. One only has to look at them to know all the love you have poured into them, Thank you for sharing. I look forward to your emails!
Samantha Gray says
Gardens in the snow are peaceful and soothing. Yours is positively gorgeous!! Ours is somewhat less ambitious, but we love it. After the 27 inches of snow melted from the north shore of Long Island, there were the pansies – deep purple in bud and bloom. There was the forsythia, putting out tentative yellow buds here and there (yes! I will be forcing some!) and there , on the eastern side of the house in the hellebore and hosta garden, were pink and ivory flowers pushing up through the last of the icy mess. And of course, the little leathery, dark green heart-shaped leaves of the march marigold that leaves the yard a Midas treasure each and every spring for a month or more. Indoors, lavander-pink sparkly-petaled African violets, a true and VERY late red Christmas cactus, bright fuscia geraniums, and kalanchoe in red and yellow send up blooms. Many amaryllis re-bloom in colours from deep double red to coral to picotee white with cherise. The snow stretching away into the yard beyond such brilliant plants made a wonderful backdrop. Apparently, we are to have this again soon………
Carol Ann says
Just lovely in the snow. Thank you for the stroll.
Michele Reeves says
So beautiful! Here in Texas we have no snow, just cold and windy. Love the recipe!
Joanie says
HI Kevin I so appreciate The wonderful way you have with words I only wish i was there to see the joy in your face , you always inspiring me so much love for life love the tour of you Beautiful Garden you have so much talents & you are so kind to share with us all Thank you for the Cake Recipe i sure did love Tour Happy Valentine’s Day Joanie from Canada Nl.
Mary in Iowa says
A million thanks to Trish P at #26 for the roaring good laugh. Am still chuckling.
linda faatz says
Yes we are buried in snow here in Maine. Spring is on my mind daily and have already made more plans that I can cary out. But what fun. it seems to be an inspirational time to write extra gardening articles for my local paper. Oh how I wish you were my neighbor to be able to share all the delectable goodies you prepare. Have tried many with great results!! You are an inspiration.
happy V Day. Oops! more snow flakes from the sky as I write.
Mileen says
Spending this Saturday morning in frigid upstate NY trying to keep away the winter blues by taking some time with my many plants wintering indoors. Wax begonia, double impatiens, Gerbera Daisy and zonal “geraniums” in various stages of flowering. I even found one mostly dried up geranium hanging upside down in a dark closet in the basement growing a flower bud…crazy! As a reward for its efforts, I believe I will pot it up and find a spot upstairs in front of a window. Had to take a picture of it to remind me…may we all keep blooming despite harsh circumstances! Stay warm.
Doris says
This was another delightful post, Kevin! I want to thank you for your forsythia and hyacinths post where you inspired me to try the forcing. May I show you a photo? The budding is so beautiful and gives me hope that, indeed, Spring will come. Happy Valentines Day!
Sherlie Magaret says
You have a lovely garden even in the snow, thank you for sharing with us.