Betsy's Wildwood Home: gardens

Showing posts with label gardens. Show all posts

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Elizabethan gardens (pt. 2)

Here is another view of the authentic 16th century gazebo that was constructed of period tools and using period techniques. Overlooking the Currituck and Roanoke sounds it is thought to possibly be the spot where Sir Richard Grenville in 1585 first set foot with the arrival of seven ships and 108 men.
elizabethangardens.org - has more info

Here are pictures of the natural garden. I think we liked this one the best.

I like the gnarly look of the trees, I seem to take lots of tree pictures.

A somewhat magical looking area of the garden

One thing I do have to add to my garden at home is gnomes, I like them. Toadstools are another

dappling of sun through the trees cast such nice shadows

Ancient live Oak - living when colonist landed in 1585

Ancient live Oak

An even closer look at the tree that was here when colonists landed

I like how flowers were tucked in the crevice of the limb

on to the great lawn area and sunken garden

lion couchant bird bath is carved marble

Hornbeam walk and stunning view to the Well Head mount

Overlook to gardens

looking to the sunken garden

yes, we lingered here a while

Sunken garden - An ancient Italian Renaissance Fountain

There was a b'day cake in honour of Virginia Dare's b'day and the queen paid a visit.

I was lucky that I got this picture because my camera lost battery power as soon as I snapped this one.

Thanks for visiting

Betsy

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

I am joining Home and Garden thursday

Sunday, March 18, 2012

A friends garden

I am trying to get my pictures in order and in doing so I found some pictures I haven't shared as of yet. These were taken about 21/2 years ago. Shera's garden is a work of art. She had a bare yard and it was full of leaves from the large trees. She got them up and got to work laying stone, dirt and loads of shrubs and gorgeous flowers. A work of art.

One of her gorgeous roses on side of home

Liking the lamp post. It plugs in.

The trees have sinced been moved , makes it easier to keep squirrels away and lets in more light.

I am getting to work on my garden.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

Steve and I visited a few days ago, but before our walk through the Conservatory and gardens, we had a snack in the restaurant. It was supposed to be a snack but was a little more than that. The food is so fresh and delicious. Steve got the red pepper and crab bisque with dill shrimp. I got the homemade vegetable soup and shared some dill shrimp with him. Through the french doors is a terrace with tables to enjoy dining outside among beautiful Peonies.