This is a virtual tour of a 1.5-acre property in Landenberg, Pennsylvania. The garden is sustainable in that no herbicides and pesticides are used and no part of the landscape is irrigated. This sustainable strolling garden is described in an article by Justine Guidry which I found on the Garden Design Magazine website.
For the past 40 years, Pennsylvania-based ecologist and horticulturist Rick Darke has been studying and photographing North American plants in diverse habitats. Darke, who refers to his work as ?landscape ethics,? consults on the ethical constructs, design, and management of public and private landscapes. Here, we tour his 1.5-acre property in Landenberg, Pennsylvania that he shares with his wife Melinda Zoehrer.
As you look through this gallery of photographs of their garden, keep in mind that it is thoroughly sustainable. It is herbicide and pesticide free. Darke and Zoehrer don?t rely on others for services; they do everything themselves. It?s full of many natives (but the garden is not exclusively native). There is no concrete or mortar anywhere?only dry, laid stone. And, arguably one of the most impressive facts of all: Absolutely no part of this garden is irrigated.
Photo by: Rick Darke.
Above: “Many years ago, landscape architect Bill Frederick told me that there are different types of gardens,? Darke says. ?Some are for viewing?you?re meant to admire them, but don?t really go out into them. The type that appealed to me was the idea of a stroll garden. That?s what we?ve created here. We walk twice a day in our garden, and each time we experience something different. It?s an extension of our house?we practically live in it.?
The stonework, local Pennsylvania bluestone, in this shady spot of the garden ?is an invitation to the space from where the photograph is being taken?there?s a bench there and it?s one of many destinations in the garden,? says Rick Darke. Plants surrounding the pathway: Geranium maculatum (woodland geranium), whitewood asters, Spigelia (pink root), many ferns, and azaleas. Darke and Zoehrer?s house is in the background. ?Those are our large bedroom windows looking out into the garden,? Darke says.
Photo by: Rick Darke.
Above: The stone pathway (also shown in the previous image) leads to this sitting destination. Garden strollers can continue along the pine needle path that Darke and Zoehrer maintain. ?Whenever our pines drop needles heavily, I harvest about two wheelbarrows full and use them to redo the pathway,? Darke says.
Photo by: Rick Darke.
Above: Though the path is not steep, there is just enough of a grade change for water to create erosion over time. ?When I redid this space, I worked the ground to be sure the water would spill into the beds,? Darke says. ?To slow the flow of water and reduce the gradient, I added the step.?
See more at Garden Design Magazine
Feature photo: Rick Darke.
