SixOnSaturday February 1st. Long Hill.

Winter at my house is when we ‘get things done indoors’ knowing that with Spring will come complete lack of interest in being house bound. This year we are working on the oldest part of the house. New ceilings and paint. Refinishing the 100 year old wide pine floors. Dust everywhere. Things piled high in the rooms we are not working on. So it’s only Wednesday but the day is gorgeous so I’m getting a little jump on Six On Saturday.

1. Growing tired of the smell of polyurethane floor varnish I decided to check on the status of my storage onions and garlic. Most of the garlic is sprouting so was relegated to the freezer for later use in making garlic spray. The 2020 crop is already up.

2. The alliums added so much richness to the general stench that I had to open the windows, turn on the fans and leave. The beagle and I found our way to a favourite hidden gem. Long Hill was the summer home of Ellery Sedgwick. Both his wives were horticulturalists and money was no object. Pulling up to the house we were greeted by a lovely tulip poplar.

3. The house is not usually open to the public. It has an extensive library of gardening books and very botanical wallpaper!

 

4. There are a number of garden rooms and a little farm. For me the most impressive winter views are of the wonderful specimen trees. Legend has it that many of the mature beech trees are from Beverley, England.

5. This specimen evergreen had no label. It formed an igloo around a large rock, a perfect place to pause. The feathery foliage whispered secrets..

 

6. Heading back we passed the gleaming rustiness of this beautiful mature Paperbark Maple, Acer Grisum.

There are so many wonderful trees here. We will be back soon.

Meanwhile take a look at the prop’s blog for more February Sixes.

http://www.thepropagatorblog.wordpress.com