Spring Ahead of Opening Season!
Yes, it’s true. Spring is finally here! The morning routine of layering up, strapping on our boots, and warming up our cars is officially a practice of the past. Although winter is making an attempt to linger here in the Adirondacks, it won’t be long before our quiet woods are greeted with the return of […]
New Featured Annual: Bupleurum
There’s always something new in the gardens at Fort Ticonderoga. The Discovery Gardens located just outside the walled formal garden are the perfect place to experiment with plants that are not the usual garden center fare. One example is Bupleurum, commonly called Thoroughwax or Hare’s ear. It’s striking chartreuse flower color is reminiscent of Lady’s […]
Grow a Salad Quilt
It’s a real treat to make a trip to the garden with basket in hand to pick fresh greens for a salad. I like to pick enough for just a day or two at a time so the greens are as crisp as possible. Are you planning to grow vegetables this season? Here’s an idea from the King’s Garden that […]
Plants That Had People Talking
Here are a few of the plants that caused a real buzz this year in the King’s Garden. All are listed on the historic garden plan, yet are used in alternate locations so that the best results could be achieved, while still representing the designer’s selections within the walled garden. Mask flower: Third time is […]
Beautiful Brassicas
Brassica refers to a genus of plants in the mustard family, sometimes refered to as cole crops or cruciferous vegetables. A few examples are cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale and broccoli. These crops are important sources of vitamin C, fiber, and other micronutrients that support good heatlth. The military gardens at Fort Ticonderoga in the 18th century included generous […]
Life Long Learning
A ritual growing up was the inevitable question at dinnertime: “What did you learn today?” The answer varied from day to day. It might be the latest proof in geometry, a tidbit about the African nation of Upper Volta from social studies, or how to throw a spiral pass with a football in gym class. […]
Children’s Garden Design: The Sunflower House
Common name: Sunflower Botanical name: Helianthus annuus Family: Asteraceae Plant type: Herbaceous annual Blooms: Late summer to autumn The sunflower is native to the Americas. There is evidence that it was grown domestically as early as 2600 B.C. in Mexico. The large flower heads consist of showy outer ray flowers and fertile disc flowers that mature into […]
King’s Garden Perennial Favorites
I am often asked, “What is your favorite flower in the King’s Garden?”, and usually the answer is different every time. It is difficult to pick just one favorite when there are so many to choose from! The twelve plants listed below are the perennials that I enjoy most and recommend to many gardeners. Anchusa […]
Ready, Set, Garden!
The word “spring” conjures up many pictures – green grass, the arrival of migrating songbirds, warm sunshine, and of course, flowers! Classics like tulips, daffodils, and grape hyacinths are starting to peek through the soil to color the landscape. These bulbs are planted in the fall and are a great source of satisfaction for […]
Children’s Garden Offers Something For Everyone
A plot that was once part of the vegetable and cutting gardens for the Pell summer home, and before that a soldier’s garden that helped feed 18th-century troops, is now utilized as our Children’s Garden. This 50×50 garden includes flowing internal pathways, topiaries, kid-sized chairs and thematic plantings to help children and adults learn […]