T ODAY IS OPEN DAY AT A WAY TO GARDEN, THE FIRST THIS SEASON. It’s been a little hectic (understatement), but I’m as ready as I can get. In case you can’t make it, here’s a small peek at some of the goings-on. Enjoy your “walk” around.
Click on the first thumbnail to start your tour, then navigate from slide to slide using the arrows beside each caption.
never stop wanting more plants, my garden mentor instilled in me 20-plus
years ago, regularly reminding me of another gardener, past 90, who still lusts
for every new thing he can get a cutting of. I promise not to, until I myself
am back in the soil.
may 2010 virtual tour: an open day slideshow 
the 2009 garden in pictures: a slideshow 
slideshow: a garden walk in winter 
Welcome, Wendy. No special treatment, but they won’t tolerate dry…they seem to deal with considerable shade, but not dry in my experience. See you soon again I hope, and thanks for your nice words.
Your gardens are so lovely! Fun to see it all like this. Such beauty. Can imagine you working now:-)
Do you have any “before” pictures on the site? That would be fascinating.
Your own little garden of Eden…you give me plant envy, but in a good way. If I’m to get anything non-gardening done for the day, I must do it before I visit your site, or I am lost and my dear husband comes home to find me muddy and a sink full of dishes and a cold stove…but, dear Margaret, you are a treat and a treasure to visit early with a cup of coffee. You never fail to inspire. Many thanks.
Sigh. I am a slug, nibbling at my garden. While you, my dear, are an object of envy for all you accomplish. And — I hasten to add — a source of joy.
Welcome, Sharon. I am hyperactive, and I have nobody but myself to feed/clothe/look after, which are two big parts of the explanation of why I can play around outside and write and do things that take so much time. Solitude has its prices, and its benefits. The key is if you are enjoying the nibbling (or the mania, whatever the approach for each person is): I suspect you love it, don’t you? That’s all that counts.
Hello, Margaret;
I saw your garden in the March 2003 garden issue of Martha Stewart; and it’s my favorite of all that I have seen in any of the issues. Your shady landscape and lovely farmhouse in the photos – one with overcast sky and the others in dappled sunlight – affect me like a cool drink of water.
I have to say I really missed not seeing a Martha Stewart garden issue this March; your articles were more in depth and all inclusive than any garden books I’ve read.
I have a question:
Only in the last two years have I learned to love rhododendrons. And there are many, many of them where I live on Cape Cod; I’ve become intrigued by the way they spill all over the place.
Today I purchased my first; a Rhododendron “roseum pink”. I should have done a little more homework (taken a look at yours and realised I want purple). Can you tell me the name? It looks so beautiful as the only bright color among the green.
I was a little too impulsive, thinking I have so many purple perennials; purple flowers give an illusion of even deeper- green vegetation.
I feel bad about my little pink rhododendron; I guess I’m attached to it already but the nice man at the nursery described it as purple with pink tinge (they’re no blooms on it). So, I may just keep it; but I’d still like to know the Latin name of the one in your yard.
I’ve gone on too long.
Carol
Welcome, Carol. Do you know Weston Nurseries? They have a lot of great things for New England, incl many great rhodies. My purple rhodie was here long before I arrived, so don’t know its name if it even has one. I think it’s just some old selection of Rhododendron catawbiense (big, evergreen leaves).
Thanks, Margaret,
I’ll visit Weston Nurseries some day. It looks nice.
You can remove my last name if you like; I thought the full name was required.
This blog is a great idea. (You don’t have to publish this message.)
Carol
Just looked at your beautiful,beautiful garden. Your book has been a bible in the last several months.My husband and I bought 3 acres in Mendocino County, Calif. last year. Recently put in our first vegetable garden. Yesterday, we drove over some irrigation with our mower and things sort of went downhill after that. But, at the end of the day i sat on the ground, gazed at the amazing lettuce, chard, and upcoming plants..watched the quail (eating our strawberries) and it made the hassles of the day definitely worth it. I sure wish you lived nextdoor. Keep those pictures coming!
Thanks and welcome, Rebecca. Mendocino certainly is a beautiful place to be, perforated irrigation lines and all. I was watering yesterday and thinking the same thing as I looked at the kale and Brussels sprouts and salad greens and peas and all of it: amazing. See you soon again I hope.
I meant — I really, really meant — to get my poor tomato plants into the ground yesterday. But I spent too much time lying on the grass looking at clouds instead of kneeling in the dirt, for a change. I consider this my “slow” year, so another few days won’t hurt, will it? And yes, you were right: I do love it, Margaret.
Quite lovely! I love all the rock walls and the color of the house.
Welcome and thank you, Chiot’s Run. Yes, I am happier with my more vivid colors these days, too. Nice to see you here (and to visit your “garden”) and hope to see you again soon.
What a treat to see your beautiful garden in these pictures
You mentioned that this was the first tour of the season. Do you have more scheduled? Where are your gardens located?
@Melissa: Info is here.
Margaret,
I particularly enjoy the combination of heucheras. They are really quite lovely. I was wondering what it is next to them with the golden foliage that just sings “come over here for a look?” I recognized the creeping jenny, but there is something else, too. Lovely photos.
Welcome, Liisa. That is the dreaded barberry (a small gold cultivar I cannot recall the name of). I have had them for so many years, and though now we are supposed to toss them all (because barberries are declared invasives in many areas) I have not. My favorite gold thing actually is ‘All Gold’ Hakonechloa, which you may also like (or already have). See you soon again.