Wednesday, 24 September 2008
One Last Garden: Peter and Dayrol's
I have learned the hard way that it is not wise to book a homeward bound flight on the same day as the last conference tour. Said tour may run late, you probably won't have your luggage on the tour bus (which is unlikely to be stopping at the airport in ant event.) I therefore plan on one more night away, and return the day after. This time, my choices were an early morning flight on Wednesday that would necessitate departing the hotel about 4:00 a.m. or an evening red-eye that would kiss the tarmac at Newark Liberty Airport early Thursday morning. You guessed it - I went for the red-eye.
Tuesday was a late night anyhow. This meant Gloria and I could have a nice, civilized breakfast at the hotel, then pack. We went back to Powell's where we both found some more books. Looked in at a marvellous artisanal craft store, a fabric store with luxurious and elegant fabrics, great fun.
And then Gloria said there was one more garden we could visit. She'd been talking to Peter, who said we were welcome to visit his garden that afternoon. While it wasn't on the tour list, he was sure we'd enjoy it. Another garden? Hard to resist. My only caveat was that since I was flying out that evening I had to be at the airport in time to check in, check my bag, clear security, and then wait to board. "Not a problem." said Peter. "I'll meet you at the hotel and Gloria can follow me back to my house." So we did.
"I hope you don't mind animals." said Peter. (I was in his car.)
"I just picked Isaac and Sophie up from doggie day care."
Two darling French bulldogs welcomed me with snuffles
of enthusiasm. And when we got to the house Isaac
raced to the front door to provide a second welcome.
The house belonged to Dayrol's parents. So he has many
memories connected with the place. The two men had an addition
added to the house. And when the dilapidated house next door
was condemned by the city, the owner offered it to them at a
bargain basement price. They had it pulled down and now,
with a double-size lot, have had a merry time making gardens.
A high hedge screens the property and softens traffic noise.
There are several garden rooms, like this quiet green space
with the slim trunks of white birches and an inviting hammock.
Correction: When Peter sent me the name of the two-tone rose
(further down the page) he also pointed out that
"The trees holding the hammock are actually 'Aspens'
not Birch but you could get the same effect with Birch."
I find the repeat of the white trunks and then the white columns
of the arbor just beyond to be a very pleasant effect.
A rose garden, with a graceful naiad pouring water.
Rather than one of this, another of that, a collection of roses,
in this rose garden each bed is devoted to a single cultivar,
something that provides a rich and colorful effect.
Which is not to say that the roses do not invite
a closer inspection. Memo to self: DO ask Peter
for the name of this delightful two-tone rose.
Update: Peter wrote to me saying that
"The rose you asked about with the 2-toned color is ‘Betty Boop’.
A floribunda with few petals but packs a punch of color!"
There are also roses here and there throughout the garden,
such as this wonderful David Austin rose, 'Graham Thomas'.
As one of his several jobs, Dayrol arranges flowers
for parties and events. He had these red squiggles left over
and thought they might add some pizzazz to the garden.
Perfect! with dahlia 'Bishop of Llandaf'.
There's an inviting patio just outside the door
of the new addition. A chiminea for chilly evenings, and
all sorts of containers planted up with plants that add
color and interest. The annuals will be compost but
the succulents will, of course, move indoors for winter.
There are a couple of solar lanterns to add
a soft ambience. That's about all they're good for, Dayrol
told me. But they're pretty even when not glowing, especially
when the soft pumpkin orange goes so well with the phormium.
There is a proverb that goes like this:
If you would be happy for a week take a wife;
if you would be happy for a month kill a pig;
but if you would be happy all your life plant a garden.
Something that I'm sure is working for Dayrol and Peter.
"Thanks for visiting." Isaac seems to be thinking.
"Come again. But in the meantime, where's my dinner?"