Ken wrote a feature story for the May, 2007 issue of Horticulture Magazine, about a marvelous garden that will be open to the public in 2007 as part of the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days Program.
Here is what the Garden Conservancy has written about Rocky Hills, along with the Open Days information and directions:
At Rocky Hills, planting among the stone walls began some fifty years
ago and continues to this day. You will find mature specimen of black
walnut and ash, complimented by recent additions of weeping beech, dawn
redwood, stewartia, dogwood and an impressive collection of magnolia
and conifers. Tree peonies and an extensive planting of rhododendron
and azalea compete for attention with carpet of bulbs throughout the
eight acres. Most impressive in May and June are the forget-me-nots,
which are alllowed full freedom throughout the garden. Starting on the
hillside meadow, clouds of perfect blue flowers appear among ever
expanding rock garden, through the hills and terraces, walls and paths,
through fern woodlands, finding good company with self sown primula
along the natural brook that serves as the heart of the garden.
The Garden Conservancy has accepted a conservation easement as a first step in the preservation of Rocky Hills. Under the terms of the easement, the garden property is protected from development and steps are outlined for its eventual operation as a public garden, owned by Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation. The garden will ultimately become a horticultural education center for gardeners throughout Westchester County and New York State." (Click on Ken’s photograph of the garden to see a larger version)
Rocky Hills, is open through the Open Days Program of the Garden Conservancy on Sunday, May 6, 2007 from noon to 4 p.m. and on Saturday, May 26, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Admission fee is $5 for the self-guided visit. For more information please call the office of Open Days at (845) 265-5384 or click the link in this paragraph to go to their web site.
“Mothers Day in the Garden” hosted by the Friends of Rocky Hills. This benefit/fund raiser will feature a buffet of light sandwiches and pastries from La Tulipe Desserts of Mount Kisco and an assortment of salads, tea and lemonade.
Seatings are at 12:30, 1:45 and 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 13. Reservations are $25 per person and can be made by calling the Garden Conservancy at 845-265-2029.
For an additional $50 donation, families may sit for a garden portrait with award-winning photographers Steve Krongard and Jodi Buren.
Directions: From the Saw Mill River Parkway, travel north to Exit 33 (Reader’s Digest Road). At traffic light, turn left, and then make a sharp right onto Old Roaring Brook Road. Rocky Hills, #95, is 1 mile on right. From Merritt Parkway/Route 15, travel to I-287 west and exit at Saw Mill River Parkway north. Proceed as directed above. Please park along Old Roaring Brook Road or Lawrence Farms Crossways as directed.
Right: Henriette Suhr