March 21, 2018
Dear Friends of Untermyer Gardens,
A few weeks ago, with no snow on the ground, I explored the site of the former Rose and Dahlia Gardens. They were part of an axis of extensive gardens heading north from the base of the Vista, now truncated by a nursing home built nearly 20 years ago. These gardens had been abandoned for more than 70 years, since the death of Samuel Untermyer. Gradually we have been uncovering masses of accumulated vines and bramble, and last year we were able to mow it fully for the first time - only to reveal some stairs lost to time.
Since then, bits of steel edging marking flower beds have been coming into view, and I decided to pick at them with my shoes. The winter grass was quite flat, and I found more than I'd expected, although the edging was quite hard to see.
Two days later, we had some snow after a period of sun. Our eagle-eyed gardener Jessica Norman happened to be at that spot and captured this view. The sun had warmed the edging, which briefly melted the freshly falling snow to reveal the original elaborate parterre design. What a surprise!
Dear Friends of Untermyer Gardens,
A few weeks ago, with no snow on the ground, I explored the site of the former Rose and Dahlia Gardens. They were part of an axis of extensive gardens heading north from the base of the Vista, now truncated by a nursing home built nearly 20 years ago. These gardens had been abandoned for more than 70 years, since the death of Samuel Untermyer. Gradually we have been uncovering masses of accumulated vines and bramble, and last year we were able to mow it fully for the first time - only to reveal some stairs lost to time.
Since then, bits of steel edging marking flower beds have been coming into view, and I decided to pick at them with my shoes. The winter grass was quite flat, and I found more than I'd expected, although the edging was quite hard to see.
Two days later, we had some snow after a period of sun. Our eagle-eyed gardener Jessica Norman happened to be at that spot and captured this view. The sun had warmed the edging, which briefly melted the freshly falling snow to reveal the original elaborate parterre design. What a surprise!
After picking at the steel edging the same day, I walked down the hill to pick up some trash and saw something brown under the weeds. I had another "Pompeii moment" when I found a piece of carved stone, likely part of a lovely bench that local "Visigoths" rolled down the hill decades ago.
While the gardeners were digging around the Gate House for the future Ruin Garden, they made a surprising discovery. Behind the Gate House is an alleyway created by a tall stone retaining wall. This area was covered with lovely soil and we had plans to plant it thickly. It turned out that there was solid concrete under the 9-12 inches of soil that had built up over the decades with leaves from nearby trees. We have now decided to keep the concrete pavement and create a more "urban" ruined look. Nearby, there is a mysterious underground chamber with an arched opening that will become a grotto. Stay tuned.
Enough of archeology! Last week, we received more than 8,000 plants, which have now been potted in the municipal greenhouse. We are on our way toward another brilliant summer planting along the refurbished canals in the Walled Garden. The theme this year will be pink, orange, white, and yellow, recalling the Indian heritage of the Walled Garden.
Kind regards,
Stephen F. Byrns
President, Untermyer Gardens Conservancy
Stephen F. Byrns
President, Untermyer Gardens Conservancy
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