June 24, 2011
Dear Friends of Untermyer Gardens,
Last year, we mourned the loss of the major oak that had provided most of the shade for the Shade Garden south of the Temple of Love. As it fell, its tip glanced across the temple itself, which was thankfully spared. It then rolled down the hill, bouncing over our wonderful new plantings, most of which miraculously survived. While we have removed 99% of the tree, the stump and its root flare remain at the bottom of the border. Ferns and other plants have grown up around it, providing a glimpse in miniature of what our future Stumpery at the lower switchback may look like, multiplied by 100, say, in 2023?
Dear Friends of Untermyer Gardens,
Last year, we mourned the loss of the major oak that had provided most of the shade for the Shade Garden south of the Temple of Love. As it fell, its tip glanced across the temple itself, which was thankfully spared. It then rolled down the hill, bouncing over our wonderful new plantings, most of which miraculously survived. While we have removed 99% of the tree, the stump and its root flare remain at the bottom of the border. Ferns and other plants have grown up around it, providing a glimpse in miniature of what our future Stumpery at the lower switchback may look like, multiplied by 100, say, in 2023?
The garden is unusually smelly these days, thanks to the mountain of fresh mulch that Timothy Tilghman ordered and that the gardeners are liberally dispensing. It looks great and will keep down the weeds, but the delicious fragrance of our sweeps of flowers is a bit compromised. Olfactory pleasure will return, however, likely by the time you read this!
I can’t say enough about how glorious the Rock and Stream Garden looks this year. Wave after wave of plants is flowering in colorful bursts like a beautifully choreographed fireworks display. I had no idea that such a young garden could look so good, so soon.
Timothy never met a machine he didn’t like, and he can fix almost anything that needs attention. I wasn’t surprised late one spring afternoon to hear an engine whirring away. There was Timothy, undaunted, mowing the knotweed at the future meadow. Rather than find goats to devour it, we continue to mow it—a lot—an alternative method of eradication.
The service area continues to evolve. Its soil has been contoured to create various levels over a greatly enlarged area. The rectangular graveled area is where our interns will build our new hoop house this summer. Eventually we will erect a four-car garage to the right. Compost, wood chips, rocks, brush, et cetera, will be stored in other areas.
I have dragged Timothy away from the garden back to the camera to talk about the Rock and Stream Garden.
Kind regards,
Stephen F. Byrns
President, Untermyer Gardens Conservancy
Stephen F. Byrns
President, Untermyer Gardens Conservancy
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