Arboretum

When I talk about "gardening", it's not always about time spent digging in the dirt. There are the obligatory expeditions to nurseries, tours of other people's gardens, and perusal of garden books and catalogs. In addition, I'm extremely fortunate to be within easy driving distance of any number of fine botanical gardens and arboretums. Today was spent at the beautiful Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Whippany, NJ.

This path leads to the fenced potager at the rear, left - one of my favorite areas.

Here's the knot garden. Everything here is meticulously maintained.

Does this look like your typical "county park"?

Does it even look like New Jersey?

Here's the inside of the potager. A designer's eye is evident throughout; foliage and color contrasts are brilliantly conceived. Those are apple and pear trees trained as columns on the four corners. Edges are pansies, parsley and germander.

More foliage contrasts: alchemilla, cypress, lily pads. I took over 120 photos, but you get the idea....

On my way home I stumbled upon a spectacular nursery that was entirely new to me: The Farm at Green Village. It's just beyond Chatham - not far from here at all. Have a feeling I'll be returning there.

A good gardening day.