Saturday, 30 May 2009
Open Garden Days: Cedaridge, garden of Derek Fell
On to the second garden on today's Garden Conservancy's Open Days. As an aside, the location of today's and tomorrow's gardens was well thought out. Dividing them in to lower Bucks County / upper Bucks County means that transit time between gardens is kept at a minimum. More time in gardens, less time looking at Mr. Macadam.
Thus a short drive from Erwinna to Pipersville and the garden of Derek Fell and his wife Carolyn. It's somewhat embarrassing that I've never been here before. Derek and I are both members of the Garden Writers Association and I rather imagine that if I'd asked politely I could have come for a visit. But there you have it. At least I'm not imposing, since Cedaridge is open today.
Derek is a skillful photographer and author with numerous books and calendars to his credit. His extensive library of stock images have illustrated not merely his own, but others books, been used in advertising, and elsewhere. So I had rather high expectations for this garden. And found much to enjoy, with roses and peonies and iris, arbors and bridges and more.
Derek was one of the garden owners who joined the visitors,
strolling through the garden and chatting with us.
The ranch house close to the road is his office. Derk and Carolyn
live in a house further back on their property, in the midst
of the gardens. There's a guest cottage too. Gracious, spacious.
Near their house is this simple, small deck that's just ideal
for a summer country breakfast retreat, or cocktails at day's end.
The vegetable garden is efficient, sizeable, good looking, and productive.
Peas are up and on the bamboo trellises, raised beds for potatoes, I think.
Fenced against the deer, it is embellished with 'Nishiki' willow standards.
Magnificent lettuces too. A large compost heap in the classic 3-bin style.
.
A lovely koi pond with energetic waterfall and friendly fish.
.
Arbors provide a sense of transition from here to there. Different styles
range from airy lattice to sturdy rustic, appropriate for the vines they support.
The golden hosta is 'Sum and Substance', known for its size. But these are enormous.
Well fed, you might wonder why, no, make that how come the deer are not dining on them.
Chew-not says Derek, applied once a week.
Bridges cross the little watercourses, here and there and back again. Not quite
over the river but definitely through the woods. Charming when glimpsed
through the trees, lovely grace note of rhododendron flowers, and typical
of the skillful design that's been given to the creation of Cedaridge.
