- Photos posted on my blog are mine unless stated otherwise. BH

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Elizabethan Gardens (part 1)

A week ago Steve and I took a trip to Nags Head North Carolina,  stayed on the beach.  Relaxing time and took some side trips.   One was to Roanoke Island - here we took in the Elizabethan gardens.
First over the bridge to the island where the first child was born of English parents in the New World, days after the arrival of  the colonists on Roanoke island,  born August 18, 1587 and named  Virginia Dare -  grandfather was John White, governor .   Ananias Dare was the child's father who served as the Governor's assistant.    She was baptized on Sunday following her birth which was the second recorded Christian sacrament in the new world .   The first  baptism was administered a few days earlier to Manteo ,  an Indian chief who was rewarded for his service  and named "Lord".    


We didn't take in the lost colony out door drama this time around


I like the reflection of some of the garden in the window shown here


Just inside the entrance is this nice flower display - it feels welcoming with the plants and nice urns holding greenery

Inside the garden area is this fountain


more box lined walkways


designed as a 16th century orangery is the Gate House above

the beds are lined with boxwood - I know this place must have been even more colorful in spring.
Was humid day,  but I wouldn't have missed this walk. 

As we venture on, we see the statue of Queen Elizabeth

close up detailing on dress

In the distance is Virginia Dare
Her grandfather (Governor White )  was forced  to return to England for supplies.
An understanding was that a  code was to be left carved on a tree or post if they had to leave the island,  if they had to leave because of attack by Indians or Spaniards - they were to carve over letters or a name in the form of a Maltese cross.   When Governor White returned in three years he found the word Croatoan carved on a tree,  no other distress signal was found.   To this day no one knows what happened to the Lost Colony
- outerbanks.com for more info -

Virginia Dare statue was carved in Rome Italy of Cararra marble



Hydrangeas still blooming nicely on our walk thru gardens

I thought this looked like  flower from a distance, but up close I can see the leaves are just pink




topiary forms in woodland area

river walk - over look from a traditionally made English thatched structure
Roanoke sound  --- click here for Part Two



3 comments:

  1. Hi Betsy! How beautiful!!! I love the photo with the reflection of the garden in the window too. And the fountain! And that statue, how wonderful! Thanks for that little history lesson, that was really interesting. Gina

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  2. Hallo Betsy, das ist ein sehr hübscher Garten! Ich liebe die Statuen der englischen Regentinnen.

    Sigrun

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  3. So delighted you shared this lovely garden in NC. A few years back I was on vacation with my daughters and wished to see some of the very many beautiful gardens in that state, we were unable to. The story of this place and the gardens are so enchanting. I appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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Enjoy reading your comments always!
If there is a return email address when I check my moderation of comments, I will reply then. If no reply is enabled, I will reply to comment under post. Thank you - Betsy