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

I am joining Home and Garden thursday