Favorite Gardens

slide shows of favorite gardens close by and far away. Click on the links to see the slideshows.

NINFA: This magical garden lies in the valley of the Ninfa River, not far from Rome.  Although its setting is an abandoned medieval village, the garden was created in the 20th century. The micro-climate is mild just suitable for plants you might find in a romantic English garden. These pictures were taken late afternoon in April.
Gardens of Ninfa Slideshow

VILLA D'ESTE: In a small town outside of Rome, this Renaissance garden was built on a hillside for Cardinal Ippolito D'Este. It has over 500 fountains, and recently the remarkable "Birdsong", the water organ, was restored. It plays music 3 times a day.

Villa D'Este slide show

DUMBARTON OAKS: In the Georgetown area of Washington DC, this garden, designed by Beatrix Farrand, hearkens back to an Italian hillside garden. There was a temporary installation of thousands of Swarovski crystals hanging from a metal mesh, called "Rainbow Cloud," when I visited in 2012. The stone garden ornaments and iron gates are exquisite.

https://plus.google.com/photos/116823766269242621801/albums/5986039640058762881?banner=pwa

CALLY GARDENS AND NURSERY At the Gatehouse of Fleet in southern Scotland, this 2.7 acre walled garden is a fabulous display for the 3,000 varieties of plants from around the world for sale there. The owner Michael Wickenden, is an intrepid globe trotting plant explorer. Unfortunately you can't buy any of his plants here in the US because of customs restrictions. Enjoy a walk through the borders on this late winter day and dream of summer. https://picasaweb.google.com/116823766269242621801/CallyGardens?authkey=Gv1sRgCKGaodaUjs2ycg#slideshow/5854280807664563874

CULZEAN CASTLE Pronounced ku-LAYN. Located on the southwest coast of Scotland, this castle was designed by famous architect Robert Adam in the late 1700's. It belonged to the clan Kennedy, but now is owned by the Scottish National Trust. https://picasaweb.google.com/116823766269242621801/CulzeanCastleScotland?authkey=Gv1sRgCMvSvcOchpyyhAE#slideshow/5799707260118170322

GIARDINI POJEGA  The gardens were designed by Luigi Trezza in 1783 for count Antonio Rizzardi amongst the Pojega vineyards, near Verona Italy. They are on three levels and the best known feature is a 'green theatre' with boxwood and cypress hedges. The gardens also feature a belvedere, hornbeam allee, stalactite temple, fountains, statues and parterres.
https://picasaweb.google.com/116823766269242621801/GiardiniPojega#slideshow/5788235837144668914

GIARDINO GIUSTI was the private garden of the Giusti Family. Planted in the late 1500's, it is now a public park in Verona Italy.
https://picasaweb.google.com/116823766269242621801/GiardinoGiusti?authkey=Gv1sRgCMn-q6mikNeKzgE#slideshow/5780080664315382098