Remembering Thuya Garden

Monday, November 1, 2010

28 degrees here on the mountain. Gray clouds prevail and just a whisper of wind makes it feel colder than it is. This is the fourth day of cold and it has already erased the fond memory of last Wednesday's 68 degrees. The ground is littered with just enough snow to remind one that winter is the next season. This is the time to play catch up with a list of fall chores. My list is getting shorter but my writing from a couple weeks ago is still behind.

Back on October 19th I blogged about a trip to Maine and a beautiful Japanese garden I visited. It is named Asticou Azalea Garden located at Northeast Harbor just down the road from Acadia National Park. Down Peabody Drive a bit further is another famous garden, Thuya Garden. There is a slice of a parking lot on the shore side of the road and a small sign across the road at the start of some prominent steps leading up the mountain. I'll put up a picture album on our Facebook page, Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens and will cite a couple links to compensate for the fact that I ran out of camera power before I finished a tour of this incredible garden!

Adjacent to the parking area is a trail leading down the shore to Asticou Landing, a public dock for the community. I walked down to get a better view of Northeast Harbor and enjoy the scenery. It was low tide but there was still some activity about the harbor. It helped me frame my thoughts on a era of America that is slipping away.

As I began to climb the terraces I found myself stopping, looking back, looking up. I was amazed at the work involved in creating this garden as the stone work to make the steps and plateaus was just monumental!

Half way up to the first lookout is a beautiful plateau and a memorial to Joseph Henry Curtis. The memorial reads: "Vigilant Protector of These Hills. The Asticou Terraces are his gift for the quiet recreation of the people of this town and their summer guests."

As you continue up the trails, there is opportunity to stop and sit. I enjoyed the overlooks and the views to the ocean.

I back tracked the the main trail and about the time I snapped this shot of the trail leading to the lodge, my camera reminded me that back up batteries were back at the car. Just the same, the balance of the tour is worth every minute spent. I was happy I arrived in the fall when tourists are mostly absent as the sign at the parking area asks that you be considerate of others and not stay beyond 2 hours.... but for me, more time was needed to enjoy this treasure. I know I will return again.

Here are a couple links to get a better idea of the gardens.

Mount Desert Land & Garden Preserve

Landscape New England


Writing today from the mountain above Peacham Pond. Karl the Wonder Dog is barking at the sound of a flock of Canada geese and I have to get to my chores.


George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Facebook as George Africa and also as Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm

Asticou Azalea Garden

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

The quiet of 4:30 AM was as quiet as now, almost 2 hours later. 24.1 ° this morning, the coldest morning of fall 2010. Hunters have been complaining of not seeing enough deer while gardeners complain of too many. I suspect last night's cold will begin to encourage the bucks to get moving and more sitings will prevail. I have one request for information on the deer fence I use and I have to call my supplier and find out what the current shipping situation is. This has become a big market for the fence folks and fewer hunters and more urbanization have pushed deer to become a big nuisance in places.

I have always had a problem with the world travelers who have to pack up the family and travel great distances when they don't even know what is going on in their own backyard. There seems to be this need among some to be able to stand in a group of people and brag about a trip to Paris or Jamaica or Costa Rica with the kids while not even understanding the fun or historical significance of Lake Champlain or the beauty/harshness/economic impact of the Barre granite quarries. My opinion on this is everyone wants to point fingers now on why kids don't excel but they don't want to hold themselves responsible for their growth.

Yesterday was an example. We went to Shelburne Museum to see the new exhibits including the Ansel Adams and Edward Burtynsky exhibit and the Alzheimer's Forgetting Piece by Piece quilt exhibit. As we approached the gallery that held the Adams exhibit, a totally unruly group of school kids complete with teachers came by. Ten minutes later the teachers were asked to get the kids under control or leave the gallery. A visit to any museum is a gold mine of experience but it should be tied to a lesson plan that begins with behavior, goals, responsibility, and homework after the trip. Enough!.....but I think I am right.

My personal trips around New England get me to gardens someone else has put their life in. For some time, Asticou Azalea Garden in Northeast Harbor, Maine was on the list. Actually it was an art exhibit at the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, Maine that was the catalyst that got me thinking now was the time.

Designed and built by Charles K. Savage around 1956, this Japanese style stroll garden uses Japanese design techniques and the natural landscape of this famous Maine peninsula. The garden was probably encouraged by the availability-for-relocation of the valuable Reef Point plant collection owned by Beatrix Ferrand. I'm guessing too that the generosity of financial support from John D Rockefeller, Jr. brought the garden together....all in one year. The history of the Mount Desert Island area is very valuable and points out how long and challenging residents, gardeners, and visitors have worked together on this beautiful piece of earth.

I have added a photo album (Asticou Azalea Garden) on my Facebook business page, Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens. There are 46 pictures that document what this marvelous garden offers. Each photo is worth more than I can say. Bad behavior, by the way, is not the property of kids. I saw a woman with a camera worth more money than I can imagine walking away from the middle of the freshly raked Sand Garden. If I ever see her face on a book jacket I'll give her a good review. Like great gardens, I never forget a face. If you get to Mount Desert, visit this garden. You'll never forget it!





Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where most of the loons have left but Canada geese honk good morning.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Facebook as George Africa
On Facebook with a year 'round business page, Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens
On twitter as vtflowerfarm