Linwood Garden Visit Last Weekend

This weekend should be peak bloom, but here is a slideshow from last weekends visit:

On June 18th my friends Betty and Jim introduced me to a garden only a few miles from my Alma Mater.  Near Pavilion NY Linwood Gardens features an amazing collection of tree peonies. The micro-clime of the area features an unusual groupings of Cedars of Lebanon and a Camperdown Elm.  The Cedars do not grow in the area, but there they are in circle overlooking the Genesee Valley.  The elm is like the famous specimen in Brooklyn's Prospect Park.  A mutant growth, discovered by a gardener on the grounds of the Earl of Camperdown was grafted on to a Wych Elm.  Every Camperdown Elms comes from that one mutation and must be grafted.  In the slide show you will see it next to the pool.

Visiting this garden is like trespassing on abandoned property. In a way that is what it is.  The orginal house was in such disrepair that it was razed.  Slowly the property is being restored or at least efforts are being made to prevent further decay.

It's a charming stroll and the collection of tree peonies is amazing. Sources for purchasing peonies are listed on the website.