Beauty in Bloom

It’s no secret the area’s gardens are some of its treasures.
By Angelina Sciolla

The official flower of Bucks County is the violet. Ask either a state employee or a lifelong resident why and they may fumble for an answer. A local botanical enthusiast may conjecture it is because the violet grows prolifically in this part of the state and is represented by a number of variations.

In 1876, one such enthusiast by the name of William W.H. Davis named two in just one paragraph of his extensive volume, History of Bucks County:

This locality is the richest in the country, and has many plants peculiarly its own…Here are found the rare Canada Violet, Ginseng, Purple Trillium and many more equally rare. Proceeding rapidly down the river, a very rich flora exists…including the Green Violet.

Davis’s comprehensive tome covered everything from local taverns to Underground Railroad routes. But he wrote lyrically and vividly about the flora and foliage of Bucks County.

Despite development and population growth, the collective landscape of the county remains among the most beautiful in the Commonwealth. Gardens are a popular pastime and often a harmless obsession among residents. Each year at the world-famous Philadelphia Flower show, one is guaranteed to gaze upon some extraordinary creations by several of our local floral designers or landscapers.

In addition to the endless selection of flower vendors and landscape artists, both Bucks and neighboring Montgomery County feature a number of venues for appreciating the natural floral allure of the area. After all, this was farmland first and remains so in many parts of the region. The mineral rich soil has given way to earthly treasures that are now ripe for viewing and enjoyment.

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve

Many of us have made the trek up that hill to Bowman’s Tower near Washington’s Crossing. The view from the 80-year old structure encompasses a 14-mile radius of the Delaware River Valley. On a clear day you can see where General Washington began the historic Christmas crossing of the Delaware.

Just below the tower, nestled amid the lush countryside, is the Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, a serene and bucolic step back into a time when most of the area was brimming with trees and plants. The preserve is open seven days a week from 8:30 am to sunset and admission is free. During the spring and summer, visitors have “an opportunity to see some fantastic native plants,” said Nancy Beaubaire, Director of Communications for the preserve. “There is a one-hour guided walk every day at 2 PM. Visitors get to go around with a trained naturalist and see and learn about plants that thrive in this area.”

Right now you can observe countless flowers and plants, including the mountain laurel, yellow lady slipper (orchid), azaleas, native honeysuckle, columbine and, yes, native violets all in bloom. Beaubaire noted there are even some prickly terra cactus plants that live well in the sandy soil.

Founded in 1934, the preserve is celebrating its 75th anniversary with some special programs and events that will run throughout the year.

On July 18th the preserve is sponsoring “Discovery Day.” There will be mini guided walks, a family treasure hunt, music and nature crafts. Children will get the chance to run across the meadow in an insect hunt and catch butterflies with nets. “It’s a day where people can sample the array of things we have to offer,” Beaubaire said.

One program regularly offered at the preserve during the summer is the kids reading program. Every weekday from 10 am to 11:30 am, children can come to hear a story about plants or native critters. Afterwards they get to make a nature craft based on the morning’s story. Interested parents can call and reserve a spot for their children.

To learn more about the Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, visit www.bhwp.org.

New Hope Historical Society Garden Tour

Imagine a day of meandering through the private garden of a cottage in New Hope, followed by a walk along the intricately landscaped yard of an old Bucks County farmstead. Join the New Hope Historical Society Garden Tour on June 6 and you can view six gardens in the New Hope-Solebury area.

“There is a mix of gardens this year,” said Robert Goodwin, Co-chair of the garden tour. “Each year the garden committee goes around to view people’s gardens…a lot of people volunteer their gardens. They take a unique approach to their gardens, especially in how they use difficult spaces.”

In addition to the tour there will be a lecture on organic gardening by Jane and Bill McDowell. Bill is the former CEO of Burpee Company and the couple’s organic farm in Solebury will be the number 7 bonus attraction of the tour.

The other gardens include a cottage garden, a large vegetable garden and associated landscaped areas, a “secret garden” at a barn and, as Goodwin pointed out, a uniquely designed hillside garden rich in vine plants, foil, and foliage.

“You can’t stop seeing something interesting each time you look,” he said. “In many cases plants are organized into contained spaces. Some are large, some are small. The plant material is orchestrated to bring out the best in shape and exposure of the garden.”

There will be two tours, one at 4 PM and another at 5 PM. The tour covers about 10 miles but most of the gardens are within a 5-mile radius. A map is included in the $28 ticket price. More information on the tour and tickets can be found at http://newhopehs.org/gardentour2009.html.

Hortulus Farm Gardens

Hortulus Farm may well fill the definition of “secret garden” since there are probably more than a few Bucks residents who may never have either visited or even known of its existence. Yet its fame still reaches well beyond the region.

How it does fit the definition is in the literary sense. Set on a hundred acre 18th century farmstead in Wrightstown, Hortulus Farm Garden is the kind of paradise one might have experienced around the time William W.H. Davis wrote his book. Or you might just think you’ve landed in a photos spread in Architectural Digest.

This venue includes a garden, a nursery and a museum, which houses a collection of nearly 40 works by the New Hope impressionists of the early to mid 20th century. The paintings share space with a 1,000 volume library of garden books belonging to owners Renny Reynolds and Jack Staub. Reynolds is a nationally-renowned entertaining and gardening expert. Partner Jack Staub is one of the nation’s leading experts on garden design. Of course Hortulus is a featured exhibitor at the Philadelphia Flower Show and their designs have won six major awards.

Numerous landscape styles can be enjoyed, from pastoral walks to ponds, streams and a blazing array of daffodils, dogwoods, bluebells and narcissus in bloom. Horses, sheep, chickens, ducks and swans roam amid the barns to complete the idyllic scenery.

The nursery is a delight for the connoisseur looking for tropicals, topiaries, espaliers, annuals, and perennials. Everything has been personally chosen by Reynolds and Staub.

For seasonal nursery hours as well as guided tours of the gardens and museum call (215) 598-0550. More information and a virtual tour is available at www.hortulusfarm.com.

Morris Arboretum

Located on the border between Montgomery County and Philadelphia, Morris Arboretum is one of the best places in the area to take a long meandering walk and enjoy the gardens, tree and plant collections as well as the sculpture and miniature garden railway embellished by natural materials like leaves, vines and bark. The facility is open year round and features botanical treasures for all seasons.

In the summer, the gardens bloom with flora and foliage from all over the world. Hydrangeas, dogwoods, and azaleas share space with oak trees and sour wood.

This year the Morris Arboretum has launched the “Tree Adventure” exhibit, which highlights the relationship between humans and trees. Visitors will travel the 92-acre garden with a “Passport to Adventure” and learn more about the important role of trees in the environment.

The Morris outdoor concert series, “Groovin’ in the Garden,” is in full swing and this year they have a lineup of jazz favorites, including Abstract Truth, Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble, and the Karen Rodriguez Latin Jazz ensemble. August kicks off three WXPN Kid’s Corner shows hosted by Kathy O’Connell.

Get more information about “Tree Adventure” at www.business-services.upenn.edu/arboretum/gardens_treeadventure.shtml. For concert information, go to www.business-services.upenn.edu/arboretum/events_concerts.shtml. You may also call the Morris Arboretum at (215) 247-5777.

Creating your own paradise

If plants and flowers are your thing, you also have the option of putting your own garden on the map with the help of some local experts and a voluminous inventory of plants and flowers. These vendors can help you turn your outdoor space into an enviable respite from the rigors and stresses of daily life.

Natural Landscapes in Levittown is owned by Bucks County resident Brian Ruckel, who has a degree in environmental soil science from the University of Delaware. Ruckel’s company can completely turn a blah backyard into a reason not to take off to an island this summer. He offers everything from lawn care and landscaping to landscaping lighting, stonework, and paving. Natural Landscapes is ICPI (Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute) certified. Visit www.naturallandscapeonline.com.

Any excuse to take a ride through Perkasie is a good one. So Breezy Hill Nursery it is for people looking for an assortment of flowers and plants to adorn their gardens and patios. Breezy Hill also features the work of local artists in its gift shop, a quaint mix of country living inspired arts and crafts. For more information and to read the Breezy Hill blog, visit www.breezyhillgreenhouse.com.

It’s the place for you. Green Acres, that is. This longstanding garden retailer in Colmar, PA offers both a well-stocked nursery and landscaping services that include paving and planting. There is a wide selection of garden statuaries as well as gardening tools. Whether you chose to do it yourself or hire an expert, Green Acres Nursery can help you create your dream garden. For more information, visit www.greenacreslive.com.

Serving Central Bucks County and the surrounding area since 1961, Bucks Country Gardens offers gardening and lawn enthusiasts the finest garden supplies needed to help their gardens bloom. Their full service Green House and Nursery are stocked with healthy, quality, long lasting plants along with just about anything and everything you would ever need to spruce up your home garden. Find out more by visiting www.buckscountrygardens.com.

After a visit to the Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, you just might be inspired to do some planting of your own. Stop by Seasons Garden Center in Washington’s Crossing to explore and take home some of their plants, trees, shrubs and vegetables. Seasons also offers landscaping services and hosts gardening seminars periodically throughout the year. Also, don’t forget the mulch, pottery or garden-inspired home accessories to go with your new plants from Seasons. Learn more about Seasons Garden Center at www.seasonsgardencenter.com.