Planting Fields Arboretum Long Island NY

I recently experienced some of the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen.  The Planting Fields is a 409-acre public arboretum and historic site that is one of the few remaining famous Gold Coast estates located on the north shore of Long Island.  Located in the town of Oyster Bay, the estate including a mansion and meticulously kept grounds, was the former home of William Robertson Coe and his wife Mary (Mai) Huttleston Coe in 1913.   Planting Fields retains its original historic buildings and landscapes and can be visited year round.

Coe House

The propertys first mansion burned down to the ground in 1918 and the present Coe Hall, a 65 room Tudor Revival seen here was constructed between 1918 and 1921.  William and Mai Coe had an interest in collecting rare species of plants that formed the gardens existing on the grounds of the estate.  Mr. Coe sold his estate to the State of New York in 1949 for a sum of $1 so that the site could become a historical landmark and arboretum for visitors to enjoy.

Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar

Beautiful mature evergreens such as this single Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar are the pride of the property. This tree with a single truck was trained to form an arbor leading to one of the greenhouses on the estate.

 

Dahlia Garden (late August)

A walk to the Dahlia garden on the other side of the estate proved to be quite rewarding.  Dahlias of almost every variety imaginable grace this plot and are in full bloom at summers end.  There were so many that it was difficult to choose a select few to show here. Their beauty is indescribable. William Coe had admired Dahlias because of their variety of texture and bold colors.  The present day garden constructed in 1998 is maintained by the Mid Island Dahlia Society and is one of the largest and most spectacular dahlia gardens in the northeast.  I am thrilled that it is here on Long Island.  Over 400 varieties of dahlia are tended to and Dahlia Society members donate over 2000 hours a year maintaining the gardens.

  

Main Greenhouse

This is the main greenhouse on the premises housing tropical plants such as hibiscus, orchards, ferns, bromeliads, Bird of Paradise, Banana trees and succulents nestled in a tropical gardeners paradise. 

The Italian Garden

This is one of the reflecting pools on the estate known as the Italian Garden. Mai Rogers Coe originally created the site back in 1913 as one of her favorite places to stroll.  There are over 40 varieties of perennials that bloom sequentially throughout the year to produce a vibrant display of color.

Camellia Greenhouse

This is the Camellia Greenhouse constructed in 1917 that houses the largest collection of camellias in the northeast with over 300 plants on display. In the center of the greenhouse is a beautiful reflecting pool and fountain and in the backdrop is a miniature grotto.

This was certainly a special day for an overly exuberant gardener.  It turns out that while on our Sunday drive we ended up here at the arboretum on a whim and it became a day to remember.  I did not have my camera so being a very determined gardener I used my cell phone to take these photographs.  I will be sure to visit Planting Fields again next summer and will bring the good camera so that I can engage in some better photography.  If you are ever on Long Island and would like to see these magnificent gardens you will not be disappointed.  They are a welcome sight for the gardening enthusiast or for anyone who appreciates the beauty of nature along with a little bit of local history!

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author:Lee@ A Guide To Northeastern Gardening Copyright 2011. All Rights Reserved

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Canadian Home Workshop

It was about the beginning of February... I was at my drafting table dreaming of warmer days and the season to come. I was drawing away on a landscape plan for a customer... placing a pool in the correct position for them when my phone rings and it is the editor for Canadian Home Workshop asking me if I wanted to participate in a story they were doing. Now there is a call you dont expect to get every day!

The idea was to have me create 3 landscape plans centered around 3 themes and make the drawings look pretty. The question was...would I be interested in doing that? My answer was very short and direct! Yes!!!!...as would be the case with most any landscape designer worth his salt...when presented with a chance to display themselves in a magazine...who would say no?
So here it is folks... in this months current issue of Canadian Home Workshop...it is actually the April/May 2010 issue... which can be found in stores now or ordered online here!

Anyway, after my phone conversation, I tossed my blackberry on the table and went back to measuring my pool spacing to ensure proper setback dimensions according to the Town of Aurora, Ontario. I kept looking back at my phone and wondering if I really just had the conversation I had....first with the editor and then a second one with the art director...or was I actually sound asleep and dreaming of a life that was not mine!?!

When I sat down to draw the 3 plans, it seemed like kind of a fuzzy dream to me as the drawings were just like any other landscape plan I would do...only I was the client for each of the three backyard plans! Anyway, I just drew from my experience with the many clients I have designed for and created the concepts you will see in the magazine article...

It was fun!...lol...it was a lot of fun...and a lot of hard work too!!!....not to mention I was drawing these in the comfort of my workspace, watching Team Canada play Hockey...listening to a crackling fire in the wood burning stove while the snow lay on the ground outside.

When I opened my mail up yesterday...there it was...my hard work along side my name printed in ink... in a magazine seen across Canada...not only was my stuff in there, but my good friend and colleague, Lawrence Winterburn of Gardenstructure.com has one of his deck designs featured on the front cover of this issue along with a few showcased photos contained in a couple of the articles within this issue. He is someone I would gladly share the spotlight with on any given day....

Just wanted to say that the people at Canadian Home Workshop were a great bunch to work with and wanted to thank them for this opportunity!

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Landscape Designer February

Landscape Designer: February

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Climate topography and native plants the definition of landscape

To ensure that the mental can ultimately to a plan for your business, you must have existed over the centuries all over the world, many different types of gardening developed remember to be focused. They were usually the results of two or perhaps three, of course. First Air, which is not the same all over the world, by all means, certainly has an important role in determining the type of gardening youwill take place only in your part of the country. Landform or "topography" also had much to do with improving the style in the garden. The third factor was the influence or control of the native plant material.

Effect of climate

Heres an example of how climate influenced gardens in places like France, Spain and Iraq, the heat is often intense, one discovers the water is part of the design organery these countries. For the moment (and in particular theTons) of water has a cooling effect psychologically, you feel the cooler air it really is.
The same high temperatures that the use of landscape water is also desirable in these countries combine the element of shadow is a main part of a plan organery. Thus, we see there are many roads, walks or rides on both sides and top, and then closed completely in the shade of the foliage of plants, and also meet many covered with vinesPergolas named on environments.

Influence of topography

The component form of the country has played a very gradual rotation of the hills ahead of English gardens. The Italian gardens terraced gardens, traditional, sumptuous villas were surrounded follow one of the existing forms of land, in this case, the presence of many steep slopes. Retaining walls were built in the gardens for two reasons. They solved the problem of erosion and at the same time have the potentialConstruction of flat surfaces on which areas could be designated officially down.

This is probably the safer of the topography of style in the gardens below, but there are also in the gardens of Versailles in France.

At Versailles, health across the country to respect. The ground was so flat that a large part of the water could not be removed immediately and was sluggish. A theory of drainage ditches dug along and the water was drained off, was smuggled in largeReservoirs not force a plant material was a style of garden design, but a species may be rapidly identified plant material is safely seen. For example, the large, finger-like cypress accents characteristic of the paintings of Italian landscapes and images of Italian gardens. In addition, the rounded shapes, with more or less typical irregular pine logs (Pinus cembra) is usually seen in the Italian countryside. Gardens in England, where the first partlandscape. E was difficult to follow organery areas built on flat surfaces with water as its main feature.

Effect of native plants

The third factor in the design of the gardens of indigenous plants, the increase of a single surface, but must be qualified. in fact the climate is wet, can be identified by their vineyards and lush lawn and shrubs increase almost excellent.

Styles range from American

If all these conditions - climate, topography and native plants - couldplace in a nation, we would expect, there are all kinds and styles of gardening, and thats exactly what we have in the United States. As you know, we have almost all the extreme weather, climate, topography and plant material available within our borders.

Even in a small state like New Jersey, there is vast land, large areas of almost flat sand, and the land gradually rolling with excellent soil conditions. There are areas in New Jersey, where the dominant trees areConifers and other areas, a few miles away, where there are trees with needle not significant, with almost all the trees the leaves of citrus Calamondino.

other parts of the property are in the middle of the desert in the true population of the United States, properties, rushing streams, or water you buy. Therefore, it is more of an inventory of the type of topography, climate and plant material, so that together they can take the ingredients that will give you aorganery more powerful for your unique situation.

Do not hesitate - its time to gain more knowledge in the field of Calamondino citrus tree. Today you too can benefit from our years of experience, visit plant-care.com.

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PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

Color, line, form, texture and scale are tools which are used in combinations to adjust design principles. Design principles include unity, balance, transition, focalization, proportion, rhythm, repetition and simplicity. All these principles interact to yield the intended design.
Unity is obtained by the effective use of components in a design to express a main idea through consistent style. Unity is emphasized by consistency of character between units in the landscape. Use of elements to express a specific theme within units creates harmony. Unity can be achieved by using mass planting and repetition.
Unity means that all parts of the composition or landscape go together; they fit. A natural feeling evolves when each activity area belongs to and blends with the entire landscape. Everything selected for a landscape must complement the central scheme and must, above all, serve some functional purpose.
Balance in design refers to the equilibrium or equality of visual attraction ( Figure 6 ). Symmetrical balance is achieved when one side of the design is a mirror image of the other side. There is a distinct dividing line between the two sides. Equal lines, forms, textures or colors are on each side of a symmetrical design.














Figure 6

Asymmetrical balance uses different forms, colors and textures to obtain balance of visual attraction. These opposing compositions on either side of the central axis create equal attraction. For example, mass may be opposed by color or linear dimension by height.
The landscape designer must skillfully manipulate the design elements to create asymmetrical balance. The central axis must be predetermined and then developed by the elements of art and other principles of design discussed in this publication.

Transition is gradual change. Transition in color can be illustrated by the radial sequence on the color wheel (monochromatic color scheme) previously discussed. Transition can be obtained by the arrangement of objects with varying textures, forms, or sizes in a logical sequential order. For example, coarse to medium to fine textures, round to oval to linear structural forms, or cylindrical to globular to prostrate plants. An unlimited number of schemes exist by combining elements of various size, form, texture and color to create transition ( Figure 7 ). Remember, transition refers to the 3-dimensional perspective of composition, not just the flat or facial view.














Figure 7

It is possible to use transition to extend visual dimensions beyond actual dimensions. For example, radical lines in the private area of the landscape can be used to enframe and/or focalize a lake scene. Transition of plant materials along these lines can make the scene become a part of the landscape ( Figure 8 ). Transition from taller to shorter plants with textural changes from coarse to fine along focal lines emphasizes the beauty of a lake scene. Transition from shorter to taller plants and from fine to coarse textures would enframe the scene and make it appear closer, like a painting on a wall. Generally, transition assists in the gradual movement of a viewers eye to the design and within it.














Figure 8

Proportion refers to the size of parts of the design in relation to each other and to the design as a whole. One large towering oak may compliment an office building but would probably dwarf a single story residence ( Figure 9 ). A three-foot pool would be lost in a large open lawn but would fit beautifully into a small private area. And of course, a colossal fountain would dominate a private garden but could enhance a large city plaza.














Figure 9

Proportion in landscape design usually relates to people and their activities. The desired size relationships of components in a design should pose little problem for the designer who considers this principle routinely in systematic thought processes.

Rhythm is achieved when the elements of a design create a feeling of motion which leads the viewers eye through or even beyond the designed area. Tools like color schemes, line and form can be repeated to attain rhythm in landscape design. Rhythm reduces confusion in the design.

Focalization involves the leading of visual observation toward a feature by placement of this feature at the vanishing point between radial or approaching lines. Straight radial lines as in Figure 10 create a strong focalization when compared to curved lines. The viewers eye is quickly forced along straight lines to a focal point. Generally, weaker or flowing lines of focalization are desirable in the residential landscape. Transition of plants or other objects along these lines can strengthen or weaken the focalization. Curved lines are stronger when curved toward each other than when curved outward. Indirect focalization is created by lines curved in the same direction. Focalization can be adjusted by plant materials along the lines to create symmetrical or asymmetrical focalization. Asymmetrical focalization is indirect while symmetrical focalization is more direct, creating stronger focalization.














Figure 10

Since focalization can be used to direct attention to a point, traffic in an area is usually directed to that point. Therefore, focalization could be used to direct traffic in a garden area. Guidance of view toward features of commercial, aesthetic or cultural value may attract the eye of the unaware without conscious effort.
Repetition refers to the repeated use of features like plants with identical shape, line, form, texture and/or color. Too much repetition creates monotony but when used effectively can lead to rhythm, focalization or emphasis. Unity can be achieved better by no other means than repetition. Think of repetition as not having too much variety in the design which creates a cluttered or busy appearance.

Simplicity goes hand-in-hand with repetition and can be achieved by elimination of unnecessary detail. Too much variety or detail creates confusion of perception. Simplicity is the reduction of a design to its simplest, functional form, which avoids unnecessary cost and maintenance.

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Garden Bloggers Bloom Day May 2011

Pink Tulip

Inspired by the quote, “We can have flowers nearly every month of the year.” by Elizabeth Lawrence, Carol at May Dreams Gardens hosts Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. On the 15th of every month gardeners from all over the world walk out into their gardens to note what is currently blooming. Its May in the northeast and the gardens are alive with color.  I gaze in awe at what appears before me.



Perennial Garden

The perennial garden is alive with delicate red and pink tulips, Astilbe, Lambs Ear, Heuchera, Hosta and Daylily. The variety of textures and color complement one another beautifully.

Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar, Daylily & Crimson Azalea

The Stella d Oro Daylily is displaying vibrant green foliage against the blue of the Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar and the Crimson Azalea is in full bloom. Soon there will be blooms of yellow that will last throughout the summer.

Wisteria

The Wisteria is a sight to behold with its magnificent lavender panicle blooms. One can also smell the fragrance of sweet perfume. Under the canopy of the Wisteria  are Hosta Patriot and Minuteman  to add brightness to the garden.  In the backdrop are Heuchera Palace Purple and Endless Summer Hydrangea.

Heuchera Caramel

Heuchera Caramel, a new addition to the garden this year has an interesting foliage that cannot be beat. Heuchera Caramel is said to be very hardy in zone 7 and will tolerate sun as well as shade. I am giving this beauty a test run!

Nepeta Little Titch

Also new to the garden this year is a miniature version of nepeta. It is Nepeta Little Titch. It displays beautiful blue flowers all summer long on much more compact silvery green foliage and is also hardy in zone 7.

Sedum Aurea

The sedum Aurea that I planted two seasons ago in between the crevices of the moss rock boulders of the waterfall are finally starting to flourish. They are planted along side Daylily and Blue Pacific Juniper to add color and a natural look. 

Montgomery Blue Spruce & Heuchera Palace Purple

Behind the Montogomery Blue Spruce is Heuchera Palace Purple. and Hinoki Cypress Aurea.  The color combination of the blue, burgundy and gold is striking at this time of year.  

 

Ajuga Burgundy Glow

Ajuga Burgundy Glow makes its spring appearance as it emerges along side a boulder in the garden and forms a lovely mat of purple spiked groundcover.  This is also a debut for this plant in my garden. Planted last fall it has made it through the winter and is now thriving.

Spirea Gold Flame

Spirea Gold Flame is an all time favorite in the garden for its firey glowing foliage in early spring. Named for its color the foliage resembles a golden flame. Soon this shrub will be covered in pink blooms that will last throughout the entire summer. 

Bloom Day is a wonderful day of the month to be more aware of the changes going on in the garden. It is a great way to take inventory of what is growing in your garden and to view gardens of other gardening enthusiasts from around the world.  Be sure to visit our hostess May Dreams Gardens and check out all the other wonderful blooms that are emerging.

"In my garden there is a large place for sentiment. My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams. The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful." ~ Abram L. Urban



Happy GBBD.  Happy Gardening!

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Milkweed and Butterflyweed

Asclepias
A genus of perennials, famous for attracting butterflies, particularly the Monarch.
Milkweed is also known for its milky white sap.
Propagation is by division or seed. Soak seed in hot water for 24 hours before sowing.

Asclepias curassavica ( Blood-Flower )
A very fast growing, woody based perennial, reaching a maximum size of 6.5 x 4 ( rarely over 4 ) feet, that is native from the southern U.S. to South America.
The leaves, up to 8 ( rarely over 5 ) inches in length, are glossy green.
The deep red and orange flowers are borne in clusters.
Hardy zones 8 to 11 ( 7 on heavily mulched and protected sites ). Without a heavy winter mulch, it will not survive below 10 F.

Asclepias eriocarpa ( Indian Milkweed )

Asclepias exaltata ( White Woodland Milkweed )
Also called Poke Milkweed. A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 6 feet, that is native to rich woods and forest edges in eastern North America ( Minnesota to Maine; south to Iowa to Georgia ).
The ovate leaves, up to 12 x 4 inches, are deep green.
The nodding, white flowers are borne in large umbels during summer.
They are followed by upright pods.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in partial shade.

Asclepias fascicularis
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 4.5 feet.

Asclepias hallii
A large perennial, reaching a maximum height of 4.5 feet, that is native to mountains in Colorado.
The purplish-pink flowers are borne on umbels of up to 60.

Asclepias hirtella
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 4.5 feet.

Asclepias incarnata ( Swamp Milkweed )
Also called Red Milkweed. An upright perennial, reaching up to 7 x 3.5 ( rarely over 5 ) feet, that is native to North America ( from Utah to Nova Scotia; south to Florida ). It is sturdy in habit and does not need staking.
The oppositely arranged, narrow, lance-shaped leaves, up to 8 inches in length, are deep green.
The lightly vanilla-scented, deep rosy-red flowers are borne on flat-topped panicles mid summer into early autumn.
The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
They are followed by attractive, narrow, hanging, seed pods up to 3 inches in length.
Hardy zones 2 to 9 in full sun to partial shade, requiring moist to wet soil. Deer resistant.

* photos taken on July 17 2012 in Baltimore, MD

* video found on Youtube

* photos taken on Aug 1 2013 in Stratford, Ontario

* photos taken on Aug 4 2013 in Bayfield, Ontario

Ice Ballet
Reaches a maximum size of 5 x 3.5 ( rarely over 3 ) feet with pure white flowers borne during summer, lasting over a longer period than regular A. incarnata.

Soulmate

* photo taken on Aug 1 2013 in Stratford, Ontario

Asclepias latifolia ( Broad Leaved Milkweed )
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 40 inches.

Asclepias linearis ( Pineleaf Milkweed )
A shrubby perennial, reaching up to 3 x 3 feet, that is native to desert regions of California and Arizona; south into Mexico.
The fine foliage is needle-like.
The small, white flowers are borne in clusters up to 2 inches across, over a long season.
Hardy zones 9 to 11 in full sun.

Asclepias purpurascens ( Purple Milkweed )
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 5.5 ( rarely over 3 ) feet, that is native to eastern North America ( from South Dakota to southern Ontario to New Hampshire; south to eastern Kansas to Virginia ). It is similar to A. syrica but less aggressive and shade tolerant.
The broad oval leaves, up to 8 x 4 inches, are deep green.
The deep purplish-pink flowers are borne over a period lasting up to 4 weeks during late spring.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 in full sun to partial shade. Tolerant of dry shade.

Asclepias rubra
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 5.5 feet.

Asclepias speciosa ( Showy Milkweed )
A fast growing to invasive perennial, reaching a maximum size of 6 x 3.3 ( rarely over 4 ) feet.
The leaves, up to 8 inches in length, are densely white-felted beneath.
The flowers are purplish-pink.
Has potential for future commercial cultivation for biofuels, yielding up to 400 gallons of methanol and 250 gallons of ethanol per acre. After removing these chemicals, the remains of the plant can be used as livestock feed and are nutritionally equal to Alfalfa.
Hardy zones 3 to 8

Asclepias subulata
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 4 x 4 feet.

Asclepias sullivantii
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 40 inches, that is endangered in the wild.

Asclepias syriaca ( Milkweed )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 7 x 5 feet, that is native to dry grasslands in North America from Saskatchewan to New Brunswick; south to Kansas to Georgia.
The paired, broad oblong leaves, up to 12 x 7 inches, are green above, gray woolly beneath.
The flowers, up to 0.25 inches across, are borne on dense umbels, up to 4 inches across, during early to late summer.
Hummingbirds and honey bees love the nectar rich flowers.
Few insects feed on Milkweed other than the Monarch Butterfly which is dependent on it.
The milky sap was used as an antiseptic wound dressing by the natives.
Hardy zones 2 to 9 in full sun on well drained soil.

* photos taken on June 24 2011 in Columbia, MD






* photo of unknown internet source


* photo taken on July 10 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 4 2013 in Bayfield, Ontario

Asclepias tuberosa ( Butterflyweed )
A clumping, bushy, woody-based perennial, reaching a maximum size of 5o inches x 4 ( rarely over 3 ) feet, that is native to central and eastern North America ( North Dakota to New Hampshire; south to Arizona to Florida ). It is endangered in most northeastern states it resides in.
Butterfly Weed is late to emerge during spring and planting with bulbs such as Crocuss is recommended for a longer season of color.
The showy, bright orange flowers are borne in clusters, up to 5 inches across, all summer long. It is a repeat bloomer unlike most other Milkweeds.
The flowers attract butterflies and birds.
They are followed by seed pods up to 6 inches in length, that are green.
Hardy zones 3 to 9 in full sun to partial shade on deep, sandy, well drained soil with added organic matter. Tolerant of heat and drought and actually prefers to be somewhat dry once established. It is also tolerant of excessive wind and even fire and is not eaten by deer. Difficult to transplant due to deep taproot.
Deadheading will extend the bloom season.

* photos taken on Jun 14 2011 in Baltimore County, MD


* photo of unknown internet source

* photo taken on June 20 2012 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Aug 3 2012 in London, Ontario

* photo taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC

Clay
A form that thrives on heavy clay ( unusual for A. tuberosa ) and in fact originated on a heavy clay prairie.

Gay Butterflies
Reaches up to 3 feet, with a mixture of yellow, orange and red flowers.

Hello Yellow
Similar except for intense bright yellow flowers. Looks stunning when massed, great for commerical landscape projects.

* photos taken by Milan Havlis, owner of central Europes premier plant nursery

Western Gold Mix
Vigorous with luxuriant dense deep green foliage and deep golden-orange flowers borne on large, dense heads.
Hardy zones 4 to 8, tolerating alkaline soil.

Asclepias vestita
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 5 feet.

Asclepias verticillata
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3 x 3 feet, that is native to North America.
The dense foliage is long and needle-like.
The sweetly fragrant flowers are borne during mid summer.

Asclepias viridiflora
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 32 inches.
Hardy zones 3 to 9 in full sun.

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