November 9, 2015
Dear Friends of Untermyer Gardens:
While the wonderfully mild fall has extended our season and welcomed a record number of visitors, it has hardly been a languid time for our gardeners. It's been our busiest month ever.
First, the Lower Terrace of the Walled Garden has received its final initial planting. "Initial," because as head gardener Timothy Tilghman says, the plantings are continuously being refined and edited. Treat yourself to some gorgeous plantings around the perimeter, especially the hydrangeas.
Dear Friends of Untermyer Gardens:
While the wonderfully mild fall has extended our season and welcomed a record number of visitors, it has hardly been a languid time for our gardeners. It's been our busiest month ever.
First, the Lower Terrace of the Walled Garden has received its final initial planting. "Initial," because as head gardener Timothy Tilghman says, the plantings are continuously being refined and edited. Treat yourself to some gorgeous plantings around the perimeter, especially the hydrangeas.
At the Vista, wave after wave of cryptomeria has been planted. This required building a rustic road down the hillside to enable big equipment to haul the weighty trees, all 99 of them. It was a herculean effort at one of the most monumental features of the garden, reputedly Samuel Untermyer's favorite spot. The heavy work is now done, with an additional planting of delicate variegated grasses, an enriched paving pattern, and handrails to be added next spring. No need to go to the Villa d'Este on Lake Como - the Vista's model - anymore!
The most exciting development is the major work now taking place at the Temple of Love. Nearly a dozen men have been digging the huge network of trenches necessary for new water and electric lines. Large copper piping has been extended, and century-old concrete has been revealed to be in nearly perfect condition. The quality of the original construction is very impressive, indeed.
Finally, we are planning a Grand Holiday Illumination of the Walled Garden. We are going overboard to create a lighting scheme for the architecture and plantings that will be revealed on December 11 at 6:00 PM. That evening, hot chocolate will be served and beautiful music played. We are hoping to combine the drama of Rockefeller Center with the ambience of the holiday tree at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. After the opening ceremony, the illumination will take place nightly from dusk until 8:00 through the end of the year - Please come!
Kind regards,
Stephen F. Byrns
Chairman, Untermyer Gardens Conservancy
Kind regards,
Stephen F. Byrns
Chairman, Untermyer Gardens Conservancy
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