Comments on: The Million Dollar Garden

By: Balsamfir

Balsamfir — Tue, 05 May 2009 22:54:37 +0000

After trying for years to get more information on these gardens in zone 4 (Penelope Hobhouse mentioned them in one of her books) I jumped at the chance to hear Mr. Cabot give a slidetalk for Stonecrop, after which he generously offered all attendees an invitation to view Quatre Vents. By then, I’d slavered over the book for months, but the gardens are far more exciting than the book. I chickened out on the bridge, however, which is now covered in moss. The tea house is in a steamy microclimate surrounded by meconopsis and weeping hemlock in drifts, and many other things. The primula gardens along the stream were enchanting, and … . Quatre Vents is very large. We were barely able to tour through at a rush in one day, and I would love to be able to return at another season. The trip has other pleasures, since that region of Quebec is also charming, with excellent food. I believe the Cabots donate most or all proceeds from the book and the entry fee of the gardens to preserving the truly extraordinary habits of northern Quebec. I have seen many vast gardens over the years, but this was unique for me, perhaps because the hand that created it is still tending it in person, rather than as a museum to the past.

By: Kathy Purdy

Kathy Purdy — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 19:13:33 +0000

Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Mary Beth. I hope you come back and read more recent posts!

By: Mary Beth

Mary Beth — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:04:23 +0000

The book sounds like bits and pieces of living in the mountains. I’ve walked the swinging bridge at Camp Nathanael(.org) (it was a scary at first), and worked in my own garden at my home. I’ve seen absolutely beautiful flowers and foliage along the mountain trails here. I’ll have to check to see if the book is on Amazon.com or half.com. Great Post!

By: Kathy Purdy

Kathy Purdy — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 12:03:59 +0000

Susan, glad you stopped by. Perhaps when people are willing to spend a lot of money it helps to see what else they’re spending money on, and remind ourselves that these landscaping and gardening expenditures are much more worthy. But this is probably a difficulty better put to Rick Anderson of the Whispering Crane Institute.

By: Carol

Carol — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 16:36:40 +0000

I have a fairly flat terrain to garden, so no chance for a rope bridge, though find a way to view a garden from above is a good idea. I guess being the 1st to cross that rope bridge would be like the 1st to ride a new roller coaster. You hope it works!

Sounds like a great book to put on my wish list.

By: Susan Harris

Susan Harris — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 16:00:29 +0000

Great post, Kathy, and you’ve got me planning a trip next summer to see the garden. And I share your aversion to spending money and it’s getting in the way of my working with clients who have some. I find it intimidating, presuming to tell people how to spend a LOT of money.

By: Kathy Purdy

Kathy Purdy — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 12:27:09 +0000

You’re welcome, Kim. I go back and forth about the money thing. After all, I got used to spending more money on gardening than I ever thought I’d “waste” on a hobby, so I could probably get used to spending yet more . . .

By: Kim (Blackswamp_Girl)

Kim (Blackswamp_Girl) — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 04:00:34 +0000

I think I would like to spend other people’s money on a garden. My problem is that I don’t think I could make a plan for other people, because gardening is so personal for me.

And I’m terrible about some of my personal likes and dislikes–the first few times someone insisted on black-eyed susans I could swallow it, but the fourth time would probably do me in!

I have read stories of Les Quatres Vents, but didn’t know there was a book on it. Thanks for bringing that to my attention, by the way.

By: Kathy Purdy

Kathy Purdy — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 20:26:42 +0000

It is an expensive book, Annie. I probably wouldn’t own it myself if I hadn’t received it as a gift–but I’m very glad that I do.

By: Annie in Austin

Annie in Austin — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 18:12:37 +0000

This book sounds totally fascinating, Kathy – especially Frank Cabot’s idea of transporting oneself from normal preoccupations. He can keep the rope bridge… I’d need dramamine just to look at the photos.

Amazon says that 85% of people viewing the page for this book will pay $55 to buy it. So there is plenty of garden money out there. I hope you can figure out how to get people to pay for your garden designs!

Annie at the Transplantable Rose