Today we’re visiting with Alan Weisberg.
I live in the foothills of Haycock Mountain in rural southeastern Pennsylvania, I’ve been gardening for 45 years on three acres of what was once a 100-acre farm with a fieldstone home and barn built in 1741. The restoration of the structures, landscaping, additions, and vegetable and flower gardens has yielded almost as many failures as successes, with plenty of lessons learned.
The southwest corner of the house is protected by an abundance of conifers and shrubs, including boxwood (Buxus, Zones 5–9), juniper (Juniperus, Zones 2–8), pine (Pinus, Zones 3–8), and spruce (Picea abies, Zones 3–7). Azaleas (Rhododendron, Zones 5–9), Helleborus (Zones 4–9), and cleomes (Cleomia hasseleriana, annual) add color.
Climbing roses on the side of the house
The main entrance is flanked with holly (Ilex species), Iris, bugleweed (Ajuga reptans, Zones 3–10), a variety of grasses, and cattails (Typha latifolia, Zones 3–10).
A walk past stands of black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia fulgida, Zones 3–9), red geraniums (Pelargonium hybrids, Zones 8–10 or as annuals), lavender (Lavandula hybrid, Zones 5–9), blue butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii, Zones 5–9), alligator grass (Miscanthus sinensis, Zones 5–9), and a weeping pine (Pinus strobus ‘Pendula’, Zones 3–8) leads to the two-story stone and cedar bank barn.
The potting shed is surrounded by ornamental grasses and perennials. The translucent roof and propane heater create enough light and heat to harden young annuals prior to spring planting.
A 900-sq.-ft. fenced-in area we call “Buddy Park” not only makes life interesting for our faithful Scottie, but it also provides a river-pebble surface for his “business”, thus keeping dead grass and doggy litter off the yard.
There’s plenty there to interest him, including frogs, goldfish, and pint-size paths.
A sculpture of a fish swims through the lush greenery of perennials.
A stand of ‘State Fair’ zinnias (Zinnia elegans ‘State Fair’, annual) brings color, butterflies, and hummingbirds to the garden.
Early lettuce and onions bring the garden into the kitchen throughout May and June.
Bluebirds are always a welcome sight early in the gardening season.
Cheyenne coneflowers (Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’, Zones 4–9) bloom in a mixture of warm shades.
Have a garden you’d like to share?
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!
Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.
Comments
Wow! Love all of this! The house, the gardens & the photos! Well done! Thanks for sharing.
I want to see much more of this glorious gardening it’s totality and its details!
All I can say is this is out of this world!
Years of loving hard work. Absolutely beautiful. You have done an amazing job.
Do you give tours? :-) These photos added a moment of bliss to my day.
Oh wow, you've created your own beautiful world with your garden, and your house which sits so nicely amongst the plants.
The potting shed is even gorgeous!
Very impressive garden!
Your gardens are so comfortably and thoughtfully planted. They are beautiful!
Wow Alan! I have unashamed garden envy. Your place looks so peaceful and I can just imagine the joy you get out of working outside listening to the quiet and the bird songs. Beautiful garden indeed.
Oh my - there's not a single thing not to love about your wonderful gardens and home! Fabulous... Buddy is a lucky dog!
Absolutely wonderful ❤️! I'd love to see more photos, especially with your home as a backdrop! Love your fish sculpture, too. Beautiful. I too, wish I could visit!🌱
BIG thanks to everyone for the plethora of kind compliments. Gardening has added so much pleasure & enjoyment to our everyday lives, it's difficult for a non-gardener to even comprehend. Any readers living or traveling near Upper Bucks or Lehigh County, PA are welcome to arrange a visit & tour the gardens by emailing me... [email protected].
Your beautiful garden shows the many years of loving care (& hard work!). I wish there was a picture of Buddy!
Serene and beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing.
This journey through your garden has been a great treat. I've come back to your posting several times. Thank you for sharing your wonderful space!
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Sign up Log in