North Hill comprises about 24 acres, of which seven are under intense cultivation. According to the website referenced below,
The mission of the garden is to grow as many species as might be hardy in a climate that experiences winter lows of -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Significant individual collections within the garden include plantings of heathers and dwarf conifers, antique and species roses, bamboos, unusual perennials and annuals, an extensive rock and bog garden, a large collection of hybrid deciduous magnolias and many tender conservatory plants used as components of the garden in summer.
I had the opportunity to tour the gardens in 2001, by taking advantage of the Open Days at North Hill fundraiser for the AIDS Project of Southern Vermont. Let me tell you, the gardens are every bit as spectacular as the photographs on the North Hill website would lead you to believe. Although the open days were canceled for 2007 due to necessary renovations, I suggest you check back at this site and at the North Hill events section to see what opportunities will be available in 2008.
Thanks to C. L. Fornari for making me aware of the North Hill website.
About Kathy Purdy
Kathy Purdy discovered the joys of writing in fourth grade, when she started corresponding with a former classmate. She's been writing letters ever since, first on looseleaf, then electronically, and now as weblog entries. That makes you, the blog reader, her pen pal. Her first independent (though frustrating) attempts at gardening were made in high school, though the gardening bug didn't bite hard until her mid-thirties, when she found herself mistress of a rural home on 15 acres. • USDA Hardiness Zone:4 • AHS Heat Zone: 3 • Location: rural; Southern Tier of NY • Geographic type: foothills of Appalachian Mountains • Soil Type: acid clay • Experience level: intermediate • Particular interests: colchicums, narcissus, cottage gardening, NY native plants, gardening with/for children
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I am looking for a copy of Living Seasonally and want to know if anyone has a copy that they would like to sell? Thanks, Meredith Vogler, Landscape Design and Restoration, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Dear Wayne, read your artical in horticulture magazine on potted lilies, I know what it’s like to have them all eaten. I now plant lilies and tulips with pea gravel. It’s worked for me for years. Idig up an area where I’m going to plant them,put a couple of inches of gravel then the bulbs more gravel and then the rest of the soil,good drainage for the bulbs and every year they blossom beautifully. Try it, it’s well worth the effort. Good luck,Maria Wigmore
More books. A gardener can never have enough books concerning gardening.
those trees from your front porch look fantastic! so glad you shared the photo with us.
Twitter: @suburbangarden
Thanks for the heads up. I’ve read their book & seen their garden on gardening programs. This is great!
Carol, I suggest starting with A Year at North Hill. Better yet, make it a Garden Bloggers’ Book Club selection.
Layanee, in the past the open days were the last day of June, July, and August. It would be a terrific place for a blogger’s meet-up, except that there isn’t much in the way of accomodations nearby.
It looks like a wondeful garden and the books are tempting me. I’m weak when it comes to buying books on gardening!
Carol at May Dreams Gardens
Twitter: @layanee1
I also thank you. I have read many articles by these gentlemen and would love to see their garden. Let’s all meet there next year if they are open to the public for the day!
Twitter: @Annieinaustin
Thanks, Kathy – it’s one of those places that you hear about as soon as you get serious about gardening. I’ve had photos sent to me by people who visited North Hill, and I bought Annuals for Connoisseurs when it was new.
Maybe I’ll get lucky and see it in person some day – like you did!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
That is a stunning garden!