A garden, at its best, is a dream being created. Our garden dream began in 2001 as a field, exposed and ground-hard!

We envisioned a tree-lined paddock leading to the house. The paddock is new this spring. We hope the Siberian elms will make a nice tunnel eventually. Siberian elms are usually used as a hedge; but, we hope the elms become big shady trees.

The big boulders you see in the center circle were exposed while digging the house foundation. Lloyd built the arbors, fences, and stone walls. I particularly love the one Lloyd created from grapevines. Eventually, we plan to have a path leading all the way around the house connecting the arbors.

You will see the usual rhododendrons and viburnums. I love them and would like to have one of every variety. There are many hydrangeas as well. We hope they will be as beautiful as the ones we had in Virginia.

Our garden needs shade! So, we replanted three sugar maples Lloyd dug in the woods. The maples should provide good shade soon on the Western exposure. We also planted two tulip saplings. If they survived the winter, they’ll grow fast. There also are two new edible chestnut trees. Our home in Italy was surrounded by chestnuts and the smell, when in bloom, was overpowering. But, we planted two--not a forest--and the perfume will transport us back in time! We like the fast-growing ash trees we found at Wal-Mart for $25 each--a great buy. We also love our copper beech, Linden tree, and European horsebean. May everything grow fast!

We hope you realize our garden is a youngster. The soil is improving and each year things look better.

The dream...remember? It requires lots of care and attention and likes to be transformed now and then. Our wish to you is that you enjoy what you see in all the gardens. We all share the same passion. Rejoice!


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Hollis, NH 03049