Sone Steps in the Woodland Garden
Gravel Pathway
A Fork on the Pathway
A Rustic Bench
A garden that I have repeatedly visited for inspiration and education is the Garden in the Woods in Framingham, MA. The Garden in the Woods was entrusted to the New England Wildflower Society in 1965 by owners Will C. Curtis and Howard Stiles. Curtis bought the property and began to create a naturalistic garden in 1931. His wanted the garden be "a Wild Flower Sanctuary in which wild plants will be grown, their likes and dislikes discovered and the knowledge so gained eventually passed on in an effort to curb the wholesale destruction of our most beautiful natives."
The Woodland Garden is my favorite section of the garden. It has a maturity to it that feels tranquil and inviting. Part of the garden is on a slope which offers much inspiration for my Wild Garden. I admire the stone steps and the way the pathways wind and coax the visitor along. There is a great diversity of native trees, shrubs and perennials. The plants form a tapestry of texture even when they are not in bloom. Many of the woodlanders are spring ephemerals but the autumn colors can not be easily rivaled. It is an captivating place to observe plants in an environment where they flourish. There are many native American plants that are still unknown to me so I always bring back a new treasure from the nursery.
Oh, I love this place too! My garden club visited a few years ago, and I especially loved a bog area mass planted with pitcher plants - spectacular!
ReplyDeleteCyndy,
ReplyDeleteThe newly developed meadow garden is also very interesting. Thanks for commenting. Hope you surviving all this snow.
As you say, just from your photos alone it has a distinct atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteI don't see how anyone could fail to want to go up the flight of stone steps in the first shot and explore!
Thanks
best Wishes
R
Robert,
ReplyDeleteI agree, those steps could not be more perfect. Now to get my paths to feel like that! As always, I appreciate your comments.