Nature's Garden

     The Hudson Valley’s beauty can be divided into two types: mother nature’s brilliance or human creation. There are many examples of each along the river: mountains offer spectacular hikes with awesome views; estates offer a more planned, organized visual display.

     I’ve been perusing the photography in Gardens of the Hudson Valley and I’ve been struck by the stunning visuals when the two types are combined.  When gardeners take advantage of the existing native landscape, distant mountain views, mature forests and natural structures, the results are breathtaking.    

      While walking my dog along our wooded path—even on such a gray morning—my appreciation for creating non-gardens, areas of minimal interference that allow nature’s work to be displayed, was renewed.  Although we have many lovely gardens on our property, perhaps the most appealing areas are located in the woods along a meandering path that bring us initially into view of a cow pasture, then moss covered ledge outcropping, undulating stone walls, towering oaks, and evergreen cedar stands. 

      Our labors along this path have involved  uncovering existing beauty: clearing debris, cutting small trees, removing fallen branches, and eliminating thorny underbrush.  We have never planted anything—never mulched or watered, yet it has all the appeal, if not more, of our maintained garden areas.  Each season brings new colors (mossy greens, cedar berry blues, lichen grays, fallen leaves of red and yellow); different feelings underfoot (crackling leaves, snow, soft mulched compost, bare soil); and seasonal sounds (winter silence, spring birds, summer hooting owls, turkeys gobbling in fall). 

          In the winter, dormant trees allow views of fields, ridges and woods, giving the landscape a spacious feeling.  Yet in summer, greenery brings a feeling of enclosure, creating a secluded haven.  This "natural garden" was created with minimal human interference.